A costly concern

              Residents of Thorhild County may have noticed a substantial number of vehicles parked outside the county office on the morning of April 24^th. Regular council meetings occur on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month and are open to the public. The agendas and recordings for these meetings can be found on the Thorhild County website. A regular council meeting was the reason residents filled the council chambers. One county resident had requested an appearance before council and many members of the community showed up in support or concern over the issue he was to be presenting.

              Under the Emergency Services Bylaw for Thorhild County, when the Emergency Services Department has taken action to provide  emergency services, charges will apply to the owner, occupant, or person for these services. The invoices for such services are to be paid within 30 days and are subject to interest rates and civil action if the amount remains unpaid. In August of 2022, Thorhild County released the results of a survey that had been completed by seventy-two respondents that was done in an effort to look at options to recover costs of emergency services. The purpose of this survey was to use the results to create an effective emergency service bylaw.

              The concern brought forth by the county resident addressing council was the actual cost of these services. Recently, a building on his property burned down and he received an invoice for almost $80,000: shortly after, he received another one for approximately $8,000. The concern he presented to council was the comparison of emergency service rates with other counties in the area and how much higher Thorhild County appeared to be. He continued to ask how the billing works if residents of the county are aware of the costs that can be accrued, and the concern that residents may refuse emergency services if they are afraid of the cost that might be waiting for them after help is provided. He also questioned the validity of what emergency services were dispatched to his property and if they were all necessary. He stated how devastating this could be to some people and how a bill this size could cost someone everything they had worked to build in this community.

              Council acknowledged his concerns and has allowed him 60 days to gather more information and evidence to present. A situation such as this reminds all county residents to familiarize themselves with all county bylaws and be aware of what is going on within their community. Attention and time are required of all individuals to ensure as much input and accurate information as possible are being received and presented. Ask the questions. Ensure a full understanding of what is going on.