The city has forgiven outstanding lease debt payments from the Lloydminster and District SPCA in Monday’s council meeting. The debt total was $91,250 from a previous undocumented lease agreement that began in 2006 to 2018.
“There was a debt, but there was no debt on the books,” says Mayor Gerald Aalbers. “To clear the matter and to clear the air we passed a resolution to forgive the $91,000 even though there was no fiscal impact to the city residents or to the taxpayers or to the city because it was never invoiced.”
The agreement was for 25 years with an annual rate of $7,500. However, instead of the 25-year agreement, both the SPCA and the city believed a $1 per year agreement was in place. Aalbers says the SPCA provides an important service to the community that needs to continue to be provided.
“There’s a relationship between the city and the SPCA, as well as neighbouring municipalities. We’re ensuring that the SPCA isn’t put into a position that they can’t afford because if they fold then it causes an additional burden on the taxpayers.”