Press Release - Whitecourt Town Council Update April 23, 2024
Posted on:Whitecourt Town Council passed Tax Rate Bylaw 1575 at the April 22, 2024 Regular Meeting, and property owners can expect to receive combined assessment and taxation notices next month. For details on how property taxes are calculated, and how tax dollars have been allocated in the 2024 Budget, please read through the 2024 Budget Report. The report is available on the Whitecourt website at www.whitecourt.ca/your-town. If you have questions about your tax notice or the 2024 Budget, please email administration@whitecourt.ca.
Town Council receive an overview of 2024 assessment figures by the municipal assessor at the April 22 Council Meeting.
- The valuation date for 2024 taxation of properties is July 1, 2023.
- Assessment values for single family homes have increased by 1.2%. The average house value in Whitecourt is $333,300.
- Property owners can view the assessment report for their property online. Visit the Whitecourt website at whitecourt.ca/live/taxes-payments/taxes-payments under the section titled “Assessment Reports” and follow the link and instructions to view assessment reports.
- Property owners will receive a combined assessment and tax notice in May.
Whitecourt approved the 2023 Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2023. A presentation was made by the Town’s auditor, Curtis Friesen from Metrix Group, who reported that the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Town of Whitecourt as of the end of 2023.
A development permit for a Shoppers Drug Mart at 4420 52 Avenue (near No Frills) has been approved. Construction on the 17,000 square foot commercial building will begin soon, and the business is expected to employ 30 to 40 people once in operation.
The Whitecourt Fire Department presented its 2023 Annual Fire Report and provided the following highlights:
- The Whitecourt Fire Department responded to 395 calls in our region.
- Members logged 14,442 hours responding to incidents, and attending meetings and training.
Whitecourt will be submitting an application to the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) for funding for vegetation management work in 2025. The proposal will request funding for a 4-person hand crew to continue maintenance and community education in the summer of 2025.
The 2023 Automated Traffic Enforcement Annual Report was presented to Council, and provided the following highlights:
- 3,810 notices were issued for speeding in 2023.
- 34 red light notices were issued in 2023.
The Whitecourt Youth Advisory Committee will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting at Percy Baxter Middle School and Ecole St. Mary School on May 13. The meeting provides an opportunity for students to learn about municipal governance and ask questions of Town Council.
Youth Week, a new initiative for 2024, will be hosted May 1-8 and will celebrate youth in the community.
Whitecourt has received $70,000 in grant funding under the Small Community Opportunity Program to support a Business Market Analysis & Retention Strategy.
Whitecourt Town Council has awarded $2,500 in funding under the 2024 Tourism Enhancement Grant Program to the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association. The funding will support the 3-day regional tourism event the Association is hosting, which includes an overnight stay in Whitecourt June 7.
Whitecourt Town Council approved the purchase of a wheel loader from Brandt Tractor Ltd. at a cost of $435,000 plus GST.
The following groups have been awarded Community Clean Up projects under the 2024 program. Each group will provide roadside, playground and sportfield cleanup services as a way to raise funds for their non-profit group.
- École St. Mary School Grade Six Classes
- U13 Whitecourt Warriors Boys Soccer Team
- U15 Whitecourt Warriors Girls Soccer Team
- U17 Whitecourt Warriors Boys Soccer Team
- U19 Whitecourt Warriors Girls Soccer Team
- U13 Whitecourt Warriors Girls Soccer Team
- U15 Whitecourt Warriors Boys Soccer Team
- U17 Whitecourt Warriors Girls Soccer Team
- U19 Whitecourt Warriors Boys Soccer Team
- Scuba Diving Team for Festival Pond Cleaning
- St. Patrick’s Anglican Church
- Whitecourt Social Experience