Long Reach

A Medicine Hat crew was in town pouring an estimated 200 yards of concrete on Friday, May 25 and is seen here finishing up most of the new floor for the Lions-built outdoor rink. The floor was poured to better hold the water and ice for winter skating but now with a smooth surface the area will also be available for roller blading, floor hockey or other uses. The Town of Provost will pay an estimated $60,000 for this project (including rebar, levelling dirt and concrete work) but $30,000 was received by the town two years ago by the province for the project. It took two years to find a contractor to do the work. There are no bookings taken for the use of this rink, no permission needed and no formal organized activity for users. ©Provost News Photo.

Rising Property Values Trigger Tax Increase
Provost Town Council has passed its 2007 mill rate bylaw with a rate that will be the same as in 2006 but most property owners will find their taxes increasing because the assessed value of properties in Provost rose in 2006.

Chief administrative officer of the Town of Provost, Terry Hurlbut estimates that the increase for the average house will mean an extra cost of $130 for homeowners “but this can vary.”

Assessments are supposed to reflect current market values of properties and as property values increase so does the assessment value and even with the mill rate unchanged the math will reveal that taxes will increase.

Hurlbut adds that the calculations still do not reflect the true higher market value of housing here.

Assessment and tax notices were to be mailed by May 28.

Provost Town Council was recently introduced to Alison Cassidy of Calgary, who will be the new economic development officer here. Although she does not get possession of a house for another couple of weeks she is already working in her new position.

In other town news, following are condensed summaries of council meetings of May 15 and 22.

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