As a long time St. Albert taxpayer, I am frustrated with the ever increasing taxes we pay. The proposed budget increase is 3.1% for residential and 3.7% for business. But this amount could increase due to necessary borrowing for the $10.1 million shortfall for the capital projects wish-list projects, which include a new library, pool, and arena. The final number is apparently 5.4% and probably higher. Wow!
New library? We do not need a storage space for more materials. Current library users have access to the online TAL interlibrary system providing millions of items from 300 public, post-secondary, and government libraries delivered free to our local library. Most of our excellent 25-taxpayer funded local schools already have libraries for their students and parents.
The Me-Library card is provided with membership at one’s home library. This card allows one to go and borrow from any of 200 participating Alberta libraries for free, and even conveniently have materials returned by their local library.
Need for Program Space: There are many locations available in St. Albert. The November St. Albert Library News has an article on the Outreach Literacy Van which currently provides sessions in Servus Place lobby, schools, pre-schools, day cares, churches, and other community venues. Bravo. This illustrates that a physical building and all the costs is not necessarily the answer.
The new library proposal includes computer labs. There are computer labs in every local school which could be used for library sponsored computer programs. The schools are already used for many community programs in non-school time.
I have friends who boast that I should just move to their area just outside St. Albert where I can pay much lower taxes while enjoying the use of St. Albert facilities.
There are large and growing Edmonton subdivisions nearby. The Edmonton Starling Subdivision, on 184th Avenue, website states “the close proximity of St. Albert provides Starling residents with impressive services and amenities at their fingertips.” Edmonton’s Trumpeter Ridge, on 199th Street, website conveniently provides an interactive map of the amenities and recreational facilities in nearby St. Albert. Edmonton Library cards are free.
Morinville (2016 census pop. 9893) projects a 1% tax increase. They are finally building an arena, but meanwhile they probably use St. Albert facilities. The Morinville library told me, as they are very small, they advise patrons to use the St. Albert Library with their free ME Library Card. They were giving out free cards for the past six months.
Sturgeon County (2011 census 19,548) projects a .9% tax increase. Their website lists under amenities only three small libraries: Morinville, Edmonton Garrison and Bon Accord.
These non-resident users of our library, pools, arenas, athletic clubs, sports fields, etc. do not pay St. Albert taxes or even extra non-resident fees to use St. Albert facilities.
What percentage of the current users are actually St. Albert residents causing the desperate need for the new pool, arena and library? Should our council not be trying to determine the number of non-resident users, and have them share the costs of the facilities they can conveniently use and St. Albert taxpayers pay for building, operating, and maintaining?
It is important to remember that this year’s tax increases are just the beginning. There will be the inevitable additional inflation of the building costs. Then there will be the ongoing increased taxes for operating costs, staffing, utilities, equipment, repairs, maintenance, technology, and library materials.
My family uses and greatly appreciates the value of these facilities. But as a recent poll suggested many residents want these projects, but do not want to pay for them at this challenging economic time. Are buildings really the best use of our dollars? Also is it fair for St. Albert residents to subsidize our facilities’ use for non-residents?
City Council will soon be making final budget decisions. Their contact numbers are on the St. Albert website. I urge you to make your voice heard.
J. Loutit, St. Albert
