The town of Drayton Valley is getting the financing in place to build the new aquatic centre.
At last week’s town council meeting, the town voted in favour of a $5 million debenture. The town decided to borrow the money because interest rates are just so low right now.
The original plan was to take the five million dollars out of the town’s reserves, but that money will now be used to cover the operating costs.
The rest of the funding for the $21 million project is coming from federal and provincial grants, a partnership with Brazeau County, and private donations.
Crime continues to decline in the Drayton Valley region.
In the latest RCMP crime states, total criminal code offences have gone down by 36%. This includes a 39% drop in motor vehicle thefts, a 45% drop in property crimes, and a 58% drop in break and enters.
Sadly, though, there has been an increase in persons crimes. They’re up by 13%. The RCMP is getting help, though, with three new members stating in the months ahead.
While presenting her stats to Drayton Valley town council, Drayton Valley Staff Sergeant Erin Matthews noted that June was a rough month for the Drayton RCMP.
They were involved in two missing persons searches that ended in tragedy. The first was the search for Derek John Henningsmoen, and the second for an unnamed man swept away by the North Saskatchewan River.
In both cases, Matthews had nothing but praise for how the community pulled together. “I was just so proud, and so proud to be, a member of Drayton Valley, and I was totally blown away with all of the support and assistance that people provided,” said Matthews.
Drayton Valley Town Council was recently debating the merits of tax write-offs.
At their July 21 meeting, they debated whether to write off $23,000 in taxes at the Villas in Drayton Valley.
The property had been lying dormant for about a year, and the current owners say the write-off could help with a sale. As a sign of good faith, the current owners also paid about $15,000 in the outstanding taxes, with the write-off being for the remainder.
Another property up for sale asking for tax write-offs to help with the sale was Metalnecks.
Some councilors pointed out that since these write-offs are to help with the sale of the property, could they add the condition that these write-offs could only happen if the sale goes through?
But, administration pointed out that it’s not a caveat they can add. Council ultimately did vote for the write offs, with Mayor Michael Doerkson saying it’s in the best interests of the community.
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