The Town of Rimbey is standing up in support of Ponoka County following the proposed changes from the provincial government with the Oil and Gas Assessment Model Review.
Although the Town of Rimbey won’t be subject to tax raises from these proposed changes because of their lack of oil and well sites, the town will feel the impact on funding when the Ponoka County has to cut back supports.
“It does have a general impact, but not a direct impact,” said Rimbey Mayor Rick Pankiw. However, the “town is losing donations and support money from the County,” because of these changes.
The province’s review, which was released on July 28, 2020, outlined four scenarios that would reduce the overall assessment values for the energy sector between seven and 20 per cent.
According to Ponoka County CAO, Charlie Cutforth, the county stands to lose between $1 million and $4.1 million in property taxes. This would also result in a potential tax hike of 34 per cent to 150 per cent for residential and farmland properties in the county.
Pankiw assures that whatever proposal moves forward, that the Town of Rimbey will not see a tax increase of any sort, for reasons mentioned above.
However, Pankiw says that the Town of Rimbey supports Ponoka County and other rural municipalities across Alberta, including Wetaskiwin, as they fight the province for a better solution and more reasonable proposals.
“We support the Ponoka County,” says Pankiw.
shaela.dansereau@pipestoneflyer.ca
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