Residents of Ma-Me-O Beach, south of Edmonton, will have to pay an additional $19,500 per person in taxes by September 30.
It will go toward paying off debt the community has been carrying for years from a failed $5 million wastewater infrastructure project.
Ma-Me-O Beach Mayor Christine Holmes says nearly 40 percent of residents have already paid the project costs, but she cautions anyone who chooses not to pay their bill.
This special tax applies to property titles, she explains.
If someone decides not to pay, that person could lose their home.
A quote from Christine Holmes, Mayor of Ma-Me-O Beach
Residents who are unable to pay the full amount will be able to apply for private financing or sell their property. In the latter case, the bill will still have to be paid either by the seller or the buyer.
The decision was made last April, following a community vote.
If everyone could pay this large amount, the debt could be completely repaid, but ignoring the debt could result in annual interest charges of $300,000.
Residents scared to death
The village newsletter indicates that a 12% penalty could apply if the September deadline is not met by local residents subject to this bill. An additional penalty of 18% could also follow.
Some people are retirees who are 90 and older. Suddenly they get a bill for $20,000 with 18% interest. They’re scared to death, said Dave Walker, a resident of Ma-Me-O Beach.
Ron Lupton, one of the retired residents, said if he withdraws the bill from his retirement savings, he will be taxed more.
We don’t understand why we have to pay for something we never received, he said.
Now we have to pay for the mistakes of others.
A quote from Ma-Me-O Beach resident Ron Lupton
Last December, Alberta’s Minister of Municipal Affairs studied the viability of the municipality, as well as the possibility of amalgamating it with Wetaskiwin County.
The results of this study will be available next January, and residents will be able to vote in February 2025.
