Plea for help over Gleichen money pit

Times Contributor     

 

A tragic tale of adversity touched the heart strings, but not the pocket book, of Wheatland County council on May 25, with a request from residents to reconsider their request for $4,224.65 in utility charges for the month of January, which had resulted from water pipes breaking and running unnoticed. Their water consumption cost was $2,454.12 and their sewer cost was $1,679.04.

They had been unable to secure a reliable maintenance company, house sitter or tenant, so the house was left vacant. Insurance wouldn’t cover the flood, as the requirement was to have the house checked every two days. The only family member close to Gleichen, where the home was located, was battling lung cancer. 

“The property has been fraught with difficulties and has been very stressful for our family,” said the owner.

When Pop, as they called him, left the home in his estate to his heirs, he didn’t have much money, so the family responsibly took out a loan and paid the taxes. They tried to rent the home, but repeatedly were left with bills from deadbeat tenants. Since 2009, the home has had broken pipes, flooded basements, faulty meters and overflows on water tanks. They had layoffs with subsequent unemployment as employers went bankrupt, and they had to use up savings. Now this bill was drowning them on more levels than one. They were not blaming council for the incident but were reaching out for anything that would keep them afloat.

Council was torn on just what should be done.

“They have gone through hell, but I just don’t know what can be done for them,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong. “I have been in the leasing and renting of property for a number of years and similar things happen to other people’s property too. You have to expect some of it.”

“Typically if you turn the heat down, you have the water shut off. Under insurance they require someone to go through the house every couple of days. I understand their plight and I am sorry it happened to them,” said Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Alan Parkin.

Reeve Koester said it was a difficult situation, but cautioned council they needed to remain consistent in their decision making. Councillor Berniece Bland asked if there is some way they could arrange to make payments. Parkin said they could arrange to make payments.

Council did not approve the write-off of the bill.

 

Reserve auction bids set

CAO Parkin said he isn’t anticipating any more interest in properties recently put up for auction by Wheatland County. He presented printed copies of the property available and council asked what would happen if they don’t sell.

“The independent land appraisals have been done. If bids don’t reach those numbers, then they don’t sell. Then we can take them over and clear the books, but it is rare we do that… or we hold them in abeyance until they go through again,” said Parkin.

Some of the properties have been up for auction three or four previous times. The reserve bids ranged from $1,190 up to $86,500. Funds generated from sales go to pay off the unpaid taxes. Costs of putting them up for sale are added to the sale price. Properties are offered as is and some require environmental cleanup and other maintenance, so Parkin cautioned bidders to do their research on the property before they place bids.

 

Hiring fair lends good leads

CAO Alan Parkin reported the McBride Hiring Fair was well attended and presented some good hiring leads.

“I attended it with eight or nine other organizations and it was really worthwhile. Through that I obtained 18-20 resumes that could lead to potential employees for the county,” said Parkin.

The county had a table set up, where people could get information on the county. He said another fair would occur in the fall, offering an opportunity to participate again.

 

Wheatland Housing requisition

Council accepted the Wheatland Housing Management Body requisition for 2014, for $259,487.04, which was a $10,687.04 increase from the interim budget. The interim budget originally allotted $248,000 for the requisition. The fee is set by provincial assessment. This is an annual payment that covers the county’s share of costs for housing services. Other municipalities in the county also make shared payments into the management body, to secure housing opportunities for seniors and low income residents.