City supports call for change to provincial search request fee

July 8, 2011

The City of Red Deer is calling for a change in provincial legislation related to the new search request fee that takes effect September 1, 2011.

On September 1, 2011, The Government of Alberta will impose a $15 charge every time an electronic license plate search request is made to Alberta Motor Vehicles. The search is needed for The City to notify the vehicle owners that payment of a motor vehicle infraction is due. Until now, this information was provided at no charge, but with a fee of $15 per request, The City is estimating costs of approximately $719,919 in 2011 and $927,536 in 2012.

“The City of Red Deer supports AUMA’s call to consider other options and reevaluate implementation of a new provincial search request fee,” said City Manager Craig Curtis. “If left unchanged, this new fee will burden many communities and ultimately property owners’ pocket books will take a hit – that simply doesn’t make sense.”

As of September 1, The City will increase parking fees to recover the costs associated with the new provincial search request fee; however, the Government of Alberta also suggests that municipalities increase property taxes to cover the costs.

“We want the province to take action and acknowledge the financial impact this change is going to have,” said Curtis.

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For more information, please contact:

Paul Meyette
Director of Planning Services
The City of Red Deer
403-342-8195

For more information on AUMA’s position on the electronic motor vehicle search visit www.auma.ca.