Monica Merkosky

The council discussed and agreed to establish a tax arrears policy regarding forwarding files to a tax collection agency. According to the policy, property owners in arrears for two or more years will be notified to pay the arrears in full or set up a payment plan within 3 years. If the property owner fails to comply within 30 days, the files will be forwarded to the tax collection agency for review. The council also agreed to adopt a tax arrears payment plan policy for ratepayers in tax arrears, requiring a 25% payment of the arrears on the day the payment plan is agreed upon, consistent payment timing, and the total amount of arrears to be paid off within 3 years.

The council agreed to set fees for the inspection of municipal documents, including an Information Request Fee, photocopy charges, and fees for time spent searching for or preparing records for disclosure.

The bylaw provides a discount for early payment of taxes. Tax notices shall be mailed no later than August 1st each taxation year. Discounts are allowed for payments received in August (6%), September (5%), October (4%), and November (2%). These discounts do not apply to local improvement levies. A 6% discount is provided for supplementary Tax Notices issued after August 1st for one month from the date of issue.

The Joint Growth Strategy for the Town of Lumsden and the Rural Municipality (RM) of Lumsden No. 189 focuses on managing growth in areas of common interest over the next 25 years. Key areas of focus include population projections, land inventory, evaluation of physical and potential constraints, infrastructure assessment, and the establishment of growth management principles and policies. The strategy aims to guide development and municipal infrastructure decisions, promoting sustainable, fiscally responsible, and complementary growth within the rural-urban fringe.

The budget includes estimates for various revenues such as taxation, unconditional grants, grants in lieu, fees and charges, and conditional grants. Expenditures are allocated across general government services, protective services, transportation services, environmental health services, planning and development services, recreation and cultural services, and utilities. Key areas of focus include capital expenditures for tangible capital assets, infrastructure projects, and specific items for protective services like firefighting equipment.