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Wednesday, April 6, 2022 Vol. 45, No. 14

Your LOCAL Paper

Irma to celebrate 100 years with the first consolidated high school in Alberta Patricia Harcourt Editor

A celebration is taking place this coming Friday as the community of Irma marks a major milestone. It’s been 100 years since the first consolidated rural high school in Alberta was opened - and that was in Irma in 1921. The years will hold many memories for people to share, as everyone gathers in the new Irma School gymnasium Friday night for an evening of reminiscing. They will be gathering in a brand new school built recently to accommodate more students, a sign this school isn’t going anywhere, and the support for the school is huge. The new school’s grand opening took place in November 2019 and retired teacher Dinny Lovig read out the memories of the school over the years. The former school has stood since 1950 before finally getting a modern replacement building. And there were other buildings housing the students previous to that time. But the spirit of Irma School will endure within this new building, carrying on with the new classes and community centre housed within it that ensures the participation of the local people. And that is sure to be a big part of the celebration of the school’s centenary this coming April 8.

$1 includes GST

‘Transformational change’ to continuing care Patricia Harcourt Editor

The province’s intended changes to continuing care are causing concern locally. Bill 11, the Continuing Care Act, will place all authority for the continuing care system under one umbrella. Currently, many different pieces of legislation govern various aspects of care for seniors in publicly funded facilities, including licensing, accommodations, and delivery. Health Minister Jason Copping said this piece of “contemporary legislation,” would “improve the quality of life for Albertans who are in continuing care.” This will be done, he says, through strengthening of accountability and transparency. It will also, according to Copping, “better coordinate and align care and services across the whole system.” The province is also giving seniors more accommodation by creating 1,515 spaces for this year, and investing $3.7 billion. “Alberta would be the only Canadian jurisdiction with one overarching piece of legislation for its entire continuing care system,” he said. He also said that the provincial budget “supports a major expansion in continuing care, to give our seniors better access to the spaces they need.” However Beaver Foundation Chair Gene Hrabec, who oversees these publicly funded seniors’ facilities in Beaver County, expressed concerns about the proposed legislation. “Beaver Foundation has requested a meeting with the minister a couple of times with no success,” he said. ‘In my opinion, our housing body, much like most of rural Alberta, are run very efficiently. “Having heard the justification for the change does not necessarily take all the rural Alberta issues into account,” he said. “We have voiced our concerns at the Rural Municipalities of Alberta conference a couple of weeks ago. The minister indicated there needed to be a clearer clarification on the matter.” However, with Hrabec’s attempts to meet with Copping unrealized this clarification remains unclear. The province’s recommendations came after a comprehensive review of Alberta’s facility-based continuing care system. Also included were lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic the last couple of years. Copping’s announcement stated that one “overarching piece of legislation” is intended to “start a major, transformational change to existing policy and practice.” As well as streamlining legislation to improve transparency and accountability, the act will “enable a person-centred, flexible and innovative system of care.”

Consistency and alignment for requirements in operating facilities is another goal, along with addressing gaps to better monitor and enforce legislation. This includes a financial penalty to administrations found to be operating improperly, and sets the rules for inspections of all continuing care services to ensure compliance. Meanwhile, Hrabec said that “there are so many aspects of the regulation changes and consequences to review. “The most critical change that I struggle with is ‘management body operation’ and administration that deal with board competencies,” he said. But Hrabec added: “I believe that a lot of the changes will be positive and they were taking most of the information. But unfortunately, when they are combined…unintended consequences raise their ugly head.” He expects to get more information when Copping addresses the ASCHA Conference, or Alberta Seniors Communities and Housing Association, held April 1113 in Calgary. There appears to be a lot of information to digest as the Continuing Care Act promises to be just the first stage in the new legislative agenda on the subject. The province states that “once the full legislative framework is in place, implementation will begin as soon as a year from now when the act will come into force. It is at that time that existing legislation would be repealed. Hrabec said the foundation “will continue to follow up over the next month and possibly have more information.” And he expressed confidence in the operations of the facilities in Beaver County. “Beaver Foundation has a very good working relationship with our Housing Authority as well as AHS Management and Home Care specialists,” he said. Another announcement last week concerned the expansion of the directory which lists the facilities available in the province for seniors to find accommodation. The expansion of the Continuing Care Facility Directory allows persons to make better informed decisions, said the announcement. It helps by having “a larger range of continuing care homes at their fingertips,” which can be found in the expanded directory. “Combining information about continuing care facilities into one web application will complement the increased spaces by making it easier to find the right facility, for yourself or a loved one,” said Copping.

Page 10 - The Weekly Review, Wednesday, April 6, 2022

BEAVER COUNTY SEED CLEANING CO-OP For Sale: Common Seed Oats, Pony Oats and Barley

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A Free Weekly Publication Serving All of Beaver County Wednesday, April 6, 16 2022, Volume 15, 15 Issue 14 7 Wednesday February 2022 Volume Issue

Reduction in penalties for unpaid taxes extended another year

Budget meeting discusses possible drop in future assessment base Patricia Harcourt

Patricia Harcourt Beaver County will extend a policy of reduced penalties on unpaid taxes another year. At a March 23 meeting of the Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC), administration recommended the preparation of a bylaw to extend the reduction in unpaid property tax rates to the 2022 tax year. “In 2020 and 2021, council approved temporary reductions in the penalty rates for unpaid property taxes due to the impacts of COVID-19 on county taxpayers,” stated Assistant CAO Margaret Jones, in her report as manager of Legislative Services. “The reduction was 50 per cent for each of the penalty dates of November 1 and January 16,” said Jones. “The usual penalty rates are 12 per cent on November 1 on current taxes outstanding, and a further six per cent penalty on January 16 on all arrears.” Jones recommended the extension for another year based on this statement: “COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are easing but taxpayers may still be recovering from the financial strain of the last two challenging years.” As for financial implications for the county, Jones said there may not be much revenue generated from penalties this year. “However, it may reduce the stress and financial strain for property owners who have not yet recovered from the financial challenges of the pandemic,” she said. When Reeve Kevin Smook (Division 1) asked if the ratepayers have been helped by the penalty reductions, Jones replied: “Covid is still here, people are still struggling.” This year’s uncollectable taxes are anticipated to be around $100,000, she said. The committee recommended a new penalty reduction bylaw be passed by county council.

Members of the Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) discussed the second draft budget for 2022 at its March 23 meeting. The budget will be passed this spring by Beaver County Council, along with the setting of mill rates for the taxation year. A presentation was made by Ed Bujnowicz, GM for Corporate Services, and Assistant CAO Margaret Jones. The report stated that the assessment base has been finalized with an increase of $25.4 million over last year. If using last year’s mill rates, it results in an extra $140,000 in taxes. “The tax levy required for general municipal purposes has decreased by $155,000 compared to 2021,” the report stated. “And when combined with additional taxes due to the higher assessment base, results in increased revenue of $295,000 with no general municipal mill rate increase.” The committee, however, was warned that this positive aspect is offset by increases in mill rates for various requisitions and grants. The Beaver Emergency Services Commission grant is expected to go up by 14 per cent; policing cost funds to the province is up by 36 per cent as the mill rate for it has increased by 34 per cent. The school requisition has increased 2.2 per cent for residential and 7.1 per cent fr non-residential. The Beaver Foundation requisition is up by 6 per cent as the mill rate has increased by 4 per cent. This draft budget gives a surplus of $295,000 but administration did not recommend that the general municipal mill rate be lowered. The committee was given several options to consider on how to utilize the surplus.

The county’s assessment model review is predicting a decrease in the assessment base of such significance the tax burden could shift to residential properties from non-residential ones. Administration wants the committee to recommend a 2.773 per cent increase in the mill rate for each of five years “to avoid significant mill rate increases once the assessment model review is implemented,” stated the report. As grant funding which the county uses for roads is expected to drop significantly, extra funds could go into that file to prevent a necessary rise in mill rates, or into reserves. However, any decision to use this surplus to lower the mill rate should only use 50 per cent and put the rest to roads or into reserves. However, Reeve Kevin Smook (Division 1) noted that the next GPC meeting is after the April 20 budget deadline, so any decision would be needed sooner than that. Committee members also discussed a suggestion from Division 4 Councillor Barry Bruce to increase the farmland mill rate and help pay for road construction on specified roads. “It might not be a huge impact to the farmer but it could provide funds,” said Smook, noting the committee was “just looking” at the idea of increasing mill rates on farmland. Bruce had earlier mentioned that farmers in his division probably wouldn’t mind a slight increase in the mill rate if the funds generated went towards fixing the roads in his division. In the larger picture, Smook called the assessment model review predicting a significant drop in assessments in the next few years “an ominous chart.” He added: “We have to be responsible for what may happen in the future.”

Governance and Priorities Committee update from most recent meeting Patricia Harcourt The Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) was given a presentation on Beaver County’s assessment base, draft 2022 budget and discussed possible future taxation issues at the March 23 meeting. Chief Assessment Officer Orest Golinowski provided his annual report to committee members, which will be useful for upcoming budget discussions and setting of mill rates. Beaver County’s total assessment for tax purposes in 2022 (based on 2021) is $1,287,904,890, or almost

$1.3 billion. Residential assessments constitute half that amount (51 per cent) at $658.5M, followed by DIP (Designated Industrial Property) (30 per cent) at $385.7M, then farmland (9 per cent) at $114.8M, nonresidential (7 per cent) at $98.2M, SB (2 per cent) at $21.7M and M&E (1 per cent) at $9.2M. Divisions 1 and 2 are mainly comprised of residential assessments at 92 per cent and 93 per cent respectively. Division 3 is ore of a “mixed bag” as residential is 45 per cent of the assessment base, but farmland is 23 per cent and non-residential is 20 per cent. Assessment in Division 4 is 57 per cent residential

(includes the Hamlet of Bruce), and 31 per cent farmland. Division 5 is far more evenly split with 30 per cent of the assessment coming from residential (includes Hamlet of Kinsella) with non-residential and DIP each with 26 per cent. With these larger assessment bases, the division’s farmland is only 14 per cent of the overall amount the county has for an assessment base. Golinowski noted that assessments stayed the same essentially in the rural areas except for areas of See COMMITTEE BCC3

4 - Beaver County Chronicle, April 6, 2022

Beaver County Service Centre 5120 - 50 Street Box 140 Ryley, Alberta T0B 4A0 Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Employment Opportunity

Phone: (780) 663-3730 Fax: (780) 663-3602 Toll Free: 1-866-663-1333 www.beaver.ab.ca Email: administration@beaver.ab.ca

Employment Opportunity

Located in East Central Alberta, Beaver County is a leisurely drive 40 minutes east of Edmonton. The area offers a quality lifestyle with a unique blend of country and urban living. The County is home to the Towns of Tofield and Viking, the Villages of Ryley and Holden, and the Hamlets of Bruce and Kinsella. Throughout the seasons of the year there is so much to do in the County, with ample opportunities for tourism, recreation, heritage and culture. Local community groups and organizations deliver numerous programs and services that benefit the diverse population in the County. Information on the desired knowledge, education and experience for this position can be found on the County’s website at:

https://www.beaver.ab.ca/residents/careers Submit your cover letter and resume by referencing the competition number to:

Email: careers@beaver.ab.ca In-Person/ Mail: PO Box 140, 5120 50 Street, Ryley, AB T0B 4A0 We thank all applicants for your interest. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Information on the desired knowledge, education and experience for this position can be found on the County’s website at:

https://www.beaver.ab.ca/residents/careers Submit your cover letter and resume by referencing the competition number to:

Email: careers@beaver.ab.ca In-Person/ Mail: PO Box 140, 5120 50 Street, Ryley, AB T0B 4A0 We thank all applicants for your interest. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Request for Proposal of Legal Services

Request for Proposal for Legal Services Beaver County is seeking proposals from qualified legal firms to provide legal services. Go to the County's website to review the RFP: https://www.beaver.ab.ca/residents/proposals-quotes Closing date and time is 4:30 pm, April 29, 2022. For information, contact Margaret Jones, Manager of Legislative Services.

Affordable Home Internet Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada has launched an initiative to connect low-income Canadian families to affordable home internet service through various internet service providers. The Connecting Families initiative will help bridge the digital divide for Canadian families who may struggle to afford access to home internet. Refurbished computers are also being made available to eligible families. Seniors who are in receipt of Old Age Security and receiving the maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement are also eligible. For more information, go to www.connecting-families.ca or call 1-800-328-6189.

The Weekly Review, Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - Page 11

Peter Hofer 780-385-8618