Letter to the Editor: RM #220 McKillop - Where are we headed?

- By Bob Wilson

June 27, 2025

Based on the 2025 RM budget hamlet ratepayers can expect a 4 to 5% decrease in their property taxes. Agricultural ratepayers are scheduled to see a 5% increase in their property taxes. For many years, the agriculture property taxes have been higher in RM #220 than the agricultural taxes in the RM #250 to the north or in RM #219 to the east. This year's increase in RM 220 taxes will only widen this tax difference.

An outside consultant has been hired to communicate with RM rate payers on the office/shop project. One option is to return to the town of Strasbourg and share the town building. Why would we give up our totally owned building to go backwards with a shared facility?

And finally, the RM of McKillop 220 has retained Myers Norris Penny to investigate financial irregularities in the RM of McKillop. There are more questions than answers about the future of McKillop.

The current pathway will see a difference as to who will pay the expenses in the future. It would appear that the hamlets will be the winners and the agriculture will be the losers.

Bob Wilson is a former councillor and a lifelong resident of the RM of McKillop #220