CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION

MEETING MINUTES

January 14, 2016

LESLIEVILLE ELKS HALL

1.0   Welcome and Introductions

1. At 7:00 p.m. President Marianne Cole welcomed all those in attendance and called the meeting to order.  All those in attendance introduced themselves.

2.0   Approval of Agenda

      2.  Items 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 were added to the agenda.   Trish Bingham moved that the agenda be adopted as presented.  Pat Butler seconded.  Carried.

3.0   Adoption of Minutes of the Previous Meeting

      3.     Minutes of the previous meeting of October 08, 2015 were adopted as recorded.  Moved by Marion Schafer.  Seconded by Dan Warkentin. Carried.

4.0   Financial Report

      4.   Sharon Rubeling read the financial report.  Al Gaetz moved that the financial statements be accepted as presented.  Dennis Ross seconded.  Carried.

5.0   Business Arising From the Minutes

     5.1  Reply from the Minister of Municipal Affairs.  A letter was received acknowledging our letter to the minister expressing our concerns regarding pooling and distribution of linear assessment revenue. 

6.0   New Business

    6.1   Comments on The Beacon items…..land purchase, budget, town investigation, rant.

Land Purchase- Yet another land purchase by the county with no amount disclosed for the purchase price.

Budget- February 2,3 and 4, the county budget deliberations will be open for viewing to the public.

Town Investigation – The town will be having a review by Municipal Affairs.

Rant – A county snowplow/sanding truck was seen working in the Meadow Ponds development 

    6.2  Ideas For Action

(a) Taxpayer Survey – Trish Bingham made a motion to form a committee to create a survey to gather information from taxpayers.  Seconded by Marion Schafer.  Carried.  Committee members will be Marianne Cole, Trish Bingham and Helge Nome.

(b) Presentation To Council – There are concerns with increasing administration costs, salaries and benefits for county employees.  There are increases in county revenue but there is a decrease in spending for family and community services.  Trish Bingham made a motion to give revenue and expenses figures to councillors prior to budget deliberations.  Ken Qually seconded.  Carried.

(c) Petition To Freeze Tax Rates – This question will be included with the CCTA survey.

    6.3  Road Closure Policy.  Questions were raised concerning the county road closure policy. Is there a county policy?  Are they following provincial government guidelines?

   6.4  Travel Allowance Rates.  Are the rates paid to county employees above government rates? Should they be decreased because of the decrease in fuel prices?  Marianne Cole will write a letter to council expressing our concerns.

   6.5  County Budget Meetings.  The county is holding budget deliberations on February 2, 3, and 4 that are open for the public to attend.  There will be an open house on February 18 from 2-7 for public input.

7.0  Open Forum

     7.1  There is a petition against Bill 6 and the carbon tax that is available for signing at Rocky D,  Nutters and Tea Rocks.

     7.2  Water Use In Industry.  Dan Warkentin and Dennis Ross reported on a meeting that they attended regarding water rights and restrictions on water useage.

     7.3  Public Perception of CCTA.  How to make it more visible and positive. Trish Bingham made a motion that it is permitted to use the CCTA name when Marianne Cole writes a letter to the newspaper.  Ken Qually seconded.  Carried.  Trish Bingham made a motion that further discussion about more ideas be tabled until the next meeting.  Dan Warkentin seconded. Carried.

    7.4  Road Maintenance.  The question was raised of how the county decides what roads need maintenance.  The suggestion was made to talk to your councillor about concerns. 

    8.0  Next meeting Feb 11, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

    9.0  Adjournment.   Trish Bingham moved the meeting be adjourned at 9:33 p.m.