New library, aquatic facility or indoor ice arena … want to have a say which one your tax increase will go towards? Or maybe you don't want to have your taxes increased to build one of the above choices.
Currently, City Council is in the process of borrowing $21 million dollars to build a new library. Wouldn’t it be great if the choice was put on the ballot for the municipal election in the fall? This way the citizens can say how their money is (or is not) spent!
There is currently a petition underway to gather signatures. If we get 6,500 signatures by May 15 city council has two options: council must decide not to proceed with the bylaw or submit the bylaw to a vote of the electors within 90 days after the Chief Administrative Officer declares the petition sufficient.
Section 238 of the Municipal Government Act states that if a valid petition requiring a vote of the electors is received within 12 months prior to a general election, council can delay the vote to coincide with the general election. Council could then put the four options on the ballot: tax increase for the library, tax increase for an aquatics facility, tax increase for an ice surface, or no tax increase.
The Facebook page: St. Albert Library Petition has the information you need to sign the petition. If you don't have access to Facebook, email [email protected]. Let's put the decision into the hands of the tax payers.
Carrie Blouin, St. Albert
