The Honourable Heather Klimchuk, Minister of Culture, made the organizers of Dinofest’s day on Wednesday, delivering a $25,000 boost in advance of this year’s event.
    On April 17, Minister Klimchuk was on a whirlwind tour through the valley and along the way, she presented the Drumheller Festival Society with a cheque for $25,000, a grant from the Community Initiative Program.
 “The Community Initiative Program is wonderful because it helps groups go that little extra mile,” said Klimchuk. “As Minister, it is so great to come in person and say thank-you and keep up the good work.”
    The Community Initiative Program is a matching grant program utilizing lottery-generated funds. 

The Honourable Heather Klimchuk, Minister of Culture presented the Drumheller Festival Committee with $25,000 for the Community Initiative Program. Pictured are (l-r) committee members Mike Dooley, Leanna Mohan, Ryan Semchuk, the Honourable Heather Klimchuk, Minister of Culture, and Brooke Christianson.

    “Programs like this help build Alberta and make our province stand out,” sad Klimchuk.
    Dinofest is going into its second year and organizers are looking to make it bigger and better.  Some of the plans include high caliber musicians, a larger partnership with local business and vendors, and rather than trying to take visitors from the site to the Tyrrell, the museum is bringing some of its programming to the site.
    The festival is an event enjoyed by locals but also is a tool to draw visitors to the valley. While last year, its marketing focus was geared towards visitation from Edmonton, this year they are looking at attracting day-tripper traffic from Calgary and surrounding areas.
    The event employs 50 volunteers and this year they are looking at having in the area of 75 coming to help out.
    The committee is also looking beyond Dinofest as it builds towards the future.
    “We formed the Drumheller Festival Society for Dinofest, but our overarching goal is to be a go-to committee for other people in town, maybe start a data base for tents and equipment or help with grant applications,” said Leanna Mohan, member of the committee.
    “We believe Drumheller has more potential for cultural development.”
    Klimchuk praised the group for  itsspirit of volunteerism and collaboration.
    “When I travel around Alberta as Minister, all the volunteers are what makes our province … when I come here and meet a group like yours it is fantastic, and thank you for all your efforts,” said Klimchuk.
    The next DinoFest meeting will be held Thursday, April 25 at 5 p.m. at the B.C.F. There is also a food vendor meeting scheduled for Friday, April 26, 2 p.m.

    One of life’s certainties is on the rise in Drumheller.
    The Drumheller Town Council, at the most recent meeting of the Committee of the Whole, had their first look at the proposed 2013 tax rate.
    The bottom line for residents, is an average total increase, across all residential ratepayers in Drumheller, of 5.2 per cent, or $96.
    The increase is due to a roughly 5 per cent increase in education tax and a large increase in the requisition asked for by the Drumheller and District Seniors Foundation. In both cases, the Town has no control over the requisitions.
    “You have to put the caveat on there that the increase includes the education and seniors requisitions,” said Mayor Terry Yemen. “It’s a result of downloading from the province. They stepped away from seniors health care and put it on the backs of the municipalities.”
    When looking at the municipal tax rate (minus the two requisitions), a roughly 3 per cent increase is proposed.
    “We were going to maintain the 3 per cent increase each year for three years and we’ve done that,” said Mayor Yemen. “Some might see over a 3 per cent increase, because of their assessment.”
    Bylaw 10.13, which will set the Town’s 2013 tax rate, proposes the residential mill rate be raised to 7.2268 and the commercial mill rate increase to 11.5074.
    In the end, the Town aims to raise $7,712,073.02 in municipal taxes.
    The requisitions for education and the Seniors Foundation total $2,743,254.69 and $362,234.78, respectively.
    The other change in store for commercial taxes is the removal of the business tax earlier this year.
    “Previously we had a business licence and business tax. The licence is based on what kind of business you’re running and the tax was based on the assessment of the property,” said Bill Wulff, Acting Director of Corporate Services. “We removed the business tax, but the money still has to come from somewhere. So, we added it to the commercial side of property taxes.”

Acting Director of Corporate Services for the Town of Drumheller Bill Wulff outlined the proposed tax rates for 2013. It is expected residents will see an average increase in total tax of 5.2 per cent or $96. The increase in largely due to a large jump in the requisitions for education and the Drumheller and District Seniors Foundation, which the Town cannot change.

    Roughly $80,000 was expected to be raised from the business tax. Now, that amount will be collected from more accounts. Businesses who had paid the tax in previous years should see a reduction in that regard. However, others, who had not paid the business tax before, will see a slight increase.
    “By doing that, the $80,000 is spread over a much larger assessment. Businesses paying the tax before will see a reduction,” said Wulff.    
    The tax rates have yet to be passed by Council. It is expected first reading will be held at the Monday, April 22, meeting of Town Council.
    “It has to be brought back to Council for three readings. I don’t anticipate any changes to it, though,” said Mayor Yemen.