By MorinvilleNews.com Staff
Finance committee terms of reference accepted
Morinville Town Council passed terms of reference for their new finance and audit committee at the Oct. 4 meeting of Morinville Town Council. Prior to voting on the actual terms, which outline the roles and responsibilities of the committee, council had some discussion on just how many members of council should be on the committee. Morinville Mayor Lloyd Bertschi suggested having all members of council on the committee could create a perception that matters were being discussed behind closed doors. As such, he recommended the new committee consist of three members of council. The amendment was defeated with only the mayor and Councillors Pattison and Krauskopf in favour of the amendment.
A second amendment was recommended by Councillor Nicole Boutestein that the committee consist of five members of council and two members of the community at large. The motion passed 4-3 with Councillors David Pattison, Gordon Boddez and Ben Van de Walle against.
The actual terms of reference passed in a 4-3 vote with Councillors Boddez, Pattison and Van De Walle opposed.
Tax exemption denied
A request for a property tax exemption from McCauley Community After School Care Association was denied in a 4-3 vote of Morinville Town Council Oct. 3. Councillors Ben Van de Walle, Gordon Boddez and Paul Krauskopf were in favour of granting the exemption to the group who operate daycare and/or out of school care on three of Greater St. Albert Catholic Regional Division school properties.
In discussing the request for a tax exemption, Mayor Lloyd Bertschi said he would not support the motion as it was a financial consideration not afforded other daycare facilities in town. “This creates a horrible un-level playing field for businesses in this community,” Bertschi said.
It was a point of view shared by Councillors Pattison, Boutestein and Holmes.
Although the day care operates on school property that is exempt from municipal taxes, the space occupied by the daycare would be assessed and taxes levied accordingly.
