Chris Clegg
South Peace News

Should High Prairie town council be providing services and losing money?

It’s the question councillors are asking after debating a proposed minimum tax for vacant residential lots at their June 28 meeting.

Councillor Brian Panasiuk proposed the minimum tax, which would see council charge a fee designed to recoup the costs of street sweeping and snow clearing.

Without researching, council does not know how many lots would fall under the new tax bylaw, or what the minimum fee would be.

Panasiuk said he placed the matter on the agenda to get debate rolling after talking to other communities where the tax exists.

“No matter what property you have, you pay a minimum tax,” he said. “Even the empty lots, you still have to plow the snow.”

Panasiuk added other communities who have the tax “think it’s working well”.

“How many [lots] are we actually talking about?” asked Mayor Linda Cox.

Later, treasurer Terri Wiebe said she would have to investigate the number of lots affected and costs.

CAO Brian Martinson said he pulled a couple files and estimates the cost would be in the range of $400-500, which would be enough.

Wiebe said she would need time to research the matter. Council agreed there was no hurry and motioned to bring the matter back at an October meeting for further discussion once Wiebe’s research is completed.

Larger empty lots generate enough tax to pay for services and would not be affected. The proposed minimum tax does not apply to empty commercial lots.