Tuesday, May 5 general council meeting was short in time, but packed full of information. Coun. Brenda Zinck has officially taken over the position of deputy Mayor from Counc. Rico Damota, who was thanked for his service by Mayor Richard Ireland.

Municipal manager George Krefting presented his departmental report. Since Krefting’s last report, the provincial budget was passed which saw a funding reduction to the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI). The municipality will receive 37 per cent less funding - $379,020 in absolute terms - from the fund. Some of the funding was to be used for the provincial building renovations, and “we will have to go back to our budget and figure out how we’re going to do that,” said Krefting. 

The tax bylaw also passed its second reading unanimously. Although the impact on individual properties varies, the bylaw if passed will see an average of a 1.7 per cent increase in taxes, down from the 2.8 per cent increase in 2008. Residential taxes will account for 30 per cent of overall tax collection, with commercial properties making up the difference. This distribution has remained nearly constant since 2002. To see more specific figures for your neighbourhood, visit the Municipality’s website at         www.jasper-alberta.com

The municipal communications strategy passed unanimously, with some aspects of the policy being clarified. The respect and dignity policy, up for decision by council, was withdrawn and deferred for decision until the next meeting on May 21. A copy of the actual signage was requested by the Mayor before a council vote.

There was a presentation made about facilitating the development of a not-for-profit snowboard club for local kids. The presenter discussed the need for such a program in this town with the hopes that a councilor would sit on the board. Council referred the idea to the culture and recreation board - which will be holding a meeting this evening at the Activity Centre - for refinement.