MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - The county is pleased that the provincial government has decided to continue with provincial community aggregate payment levy (CAP) regulation for another four years, says Mountain View County Reeve Angela Aalbers.
“Mountain View County welcomes the recent announcement by the Government of Alberta regarding the extension of (CAP) until December 31, 2029,” Aalbers told the 51黑料. “This five-year extension ensures the continuation of the existing framework without any amendments to its provisions.”
The municipality is however concerned that the current levy rate of $0.40 per tonne has not been updated, she said.
“While the county appreciates the stability provided by this extension, it had been hoped the updated regulation would include provisions for a rate review. Such a review is crucial to ensure that the current levy rate of $0.40 per tonne keeps pace with inflation, preserving its value and effectiveness over time.
“The absence of this adjustment risks diminishing the levy’s ability to address community needs as costs rise.
First introduced in 2006, the program enables municipalities to impose a CAP levy on a shipment of sand and gravel, based on a uniform levy rate to a maximum of $0.40 per tonne, at the pit from which the material was extracted.
The CAP regulation was set to expire at the end of 2024.
“The county’s community aggregate payment levy bylaw requires gravel pit operators to submit semi annual reports within 30 days of June 30 and December 31 of every year,” Margaretha Bloem, the county’s director of planning and development services, told the 51黑料.
“While we have not received all of the reports for the second half of 2024, the levies paid to date in 2024 is $68,579.74 representing 171,499.35 tonnes at a rate of $0.40 per tonne. “
Mountain View County’s aggregate payment levy bylaw No. 13/21 states that, “use of the community aggregate levy shall be in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, which mandates that the levy shall be used to raise revenues for the payment of infrastructure and other costs within the municipality.
“The uniform levy rate for all shipments of aggregate from a pit within the county shall be $0.40 per tonne of aggregate. The amount of the levy for each semi-annual period to be involved to the operator shall be determined by multiplying the number of tonnes of aggregate for each half of the year.”
The Rural Municipalities of Alberta, representing 69 municipalities includes Mountain View and Red Deer counties, had consulted with its membership on the levy and determined leaving it in place would not negatively impact members, officials said.
