CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION

MEETING MINUTES

March 10, 2016

LESLIEVILLE ELKS HALL

1.0   Welcome and Introductions

1. At 7:06 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.  Item 6.2 (b) was added to the agenda.   Pat Butler moved that the agenda be adopted as presented.  Ken Qually seconded.  Carried.

3.0   Adoption of Minutes of the Previous Meeting

      3.     Minutes of the previous meeting of February 11, 2016 were adopted as recorded.  Moved by Doug Smith.  Seconded by Marion Schafer.  Carried.

4.0   Financial Report

      4.   Sharon Rubeling read the financial report. Dan Warkentin moved that the financial statements be accepted as presented.  Jack Leslie seconded.  Carried.

5.0   Business Arising From the Minutes

     5.1   Results of survey/letter to council re:  concerns.  A letter with our survey results was given to council members. 

     5.2   Article in Western Star. The ½ page with article and thank you regarding the survey was published in the Western Star.  Cost was $242.55.  Members are urged to phone the newspaper and thank them for putting the article in the paper.   

  6.0   New Business

    6.1   Warburg surface rights meeting re: loss of revenue from linear assessment and impact on counties.  According to members who attended the meeting, Reeves spoke about the effect of the slowdown in the economy with less revenue coming in.  Other counties are cutting costs and showing compassion to businesses and other ratepayers by setting up payment options.  *Clearwater County has the highest residential/farmland rate in comparison to Brazeau, Lacombe, Leduc, Ponoka and County of Wetaskiwin.

    6.2   Possible Action:  Organize meeting to discuss impact of economy on counties.  It was discussed that we need a meeting with surrounding counties, similar to the Warburg meeting with county Reeves and reps from service industries.  The topic of the meeting would be the impact of the downturn in the economy is affecting counties and industry and what they are doing to deal with it.  The purpose of the meeting is to inform the public.  Lavern Ahlstrom made a motion to go ahead and organize a public meeting.  Helge Nome seconded.  Carried.  Location, date, time, invitations and media TBD.

   a.   Delegation to Council.  There was discussion about having a delegation to council present one issue of needing to cut spending after the release of the 2015 financial statements.

   b.   Have delegation meet with the Mountaineer to explain our concerns with county budget and building plans and the secrecy surrounding council.  Ken Qually made a motion for Jim Foesier to head up a delegation to the Mountaineer.  Doug Smith seconded.  Carried.

   c.   Get involved with Facebook—re revenues, buildings, other county issues.  Helge Nome made a motion to send adopted minutes by e-mail to councillors.  Seconded by Dan Warkentin.  Carried.

   d.  Petition for review.

7.0  Open Forum

     7.1   There have been phone calls from concerned residents regarding an alleged wrongful dismissal and an insecure load.

    8.0   Next meeting April 14, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

    9.0  Adjournment.   Dan Warkentin moved the meeting be adjourned at 9:34 p.m.