Cold Lake, AB – The City of Cold Lake has annexed two quarter sections of land from the Municipal District of Bonnyville (M.D.), approved through Order in Council, effective October 1, 2024.

The two quarter sections of land were annexed as the owners of the majority of the land were pursuing a residential estate development which they wanted to connect to water and sewer services. The M.D. and the City agreed that the easiest way to accommodate the extension of municipal services to the proposed developments were for the quarter sections to fall within the corporate limits of the City of Cold Lake.

“This annexation allows for a new development to come online and for city services to be extended to the development efficiently and effectively,” Mayor Craig Copeland said. “The M.D. of Bonnyville and the City of Cold Lake had a hard look at the situation and what the future is going to bring, and together we made a decision that’s best for the entire region.”

The annexed lands are located at the north end of the City, adjacent to Cold Lake First Nations’ land to the west and Horseshoe Bay Estates to the east. Affected landowners in the annexation area will be taxed at the lower of the tax rates between the City of Cold Lake and the M.D. of Bonnyville for the next 50 years. If the subject land is subdivided, redesignated, or connected to city services at the request of the landowner, it will then be taxed at the City of Cold Lake tax rate.

“The M.D. always appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with our neighbours,” said M.D. Reeve Barry Kalinski. “As the area continues to grow, residential areas with city services will be desirable for people looking to move here. This annexation supports the future growth and economic diversity for the region identified in the M.D.’s Strategic Plan.”

For the 2024 tax year, the subject lands will be assessed and have their taxed collected by the M.D., with 25 per cent of the taxes provided to the City of Cold Lake. Beginning in 2025, the subject lands will be assessed and have the taxes collected by the City of Cold Lake.

Over the course of the coming weeks, the City of Cold Lake will be reaching out directly to the annexed landowners to provide information regarding the transition to the City.

More information can be found at: www.coldlake.com/annexation.

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