Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter

The M.D. of Smoky River council has requested its ratepayers and residents respond to a survey to help direct their decisions.

Reeve Robert Brochu says council felt it necessary to create a survey to get some feedback on items that will need to be discussed in the near future.

“We have been getting asked by ratepayers,” says Brochu of the creation of a survey. “We feel it’s important to engage the community on important issues and to gain a sense of how the overall community feels.”

Questions on the survey vary from how to replace lost revenue to questions on various taxation of properties and a series of other items.

“Fiscal challenges have been ongoing,” says Brochu.

“The MD is trying to be proactive rather than reactive.”

The municipality has faced some lost tax revenue in recent years from companies that have become bankrupt or other losses of general revenue.

“Residents are asked to respond to the survey by Sept. 30,” says Brochu.

“The results will be presented in the October regular meeting.”

In order to respond to the survey, the individual must be 18 years of age or older and a resident of the M.D. of Smoky River No. 130. Those who choose to respond will be entered into a draw to win $130.

The survey can be found on the municipality’s website www.mdsmokyriver.com or their Facebook page.

There are links and QR codes that will lead interested responders to the survey. The link was also distributed to all mailboxes via a pamphlet.

“Ratepayers can also call or email and request a paper copy and we will send it out with a pre-paid return envelope,” says Brochu.

“This is the first survey (we have done) in some time.”

Those who would like a paper copy mailed to them can phone the office at (780) 837-2221.