$52-million question back before city council

Calgary’s mayor and aldermen will wrestle again Monday with what to do with a multi-million dollar tax refund from the province.

The question of how the tax windfall should be used was added to the Council agenda last week, but members didn’t get around to it during their marathon debate.

Alderman Gord Lowe favours putting off a decision until after the fall municipal election, which would be one of the first orders of business for the next council.

Alderman Diane Colley-Urquhart tells The Calgary Sun she and her colleagues owe it to taxpayers to make a decision.

Colley-Urquhart favours returning the cash to taxpayers, which was the majority response in a city survey conducted before the flood.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi is lobbying for the money to be put aside to help cover costs associated with repairs following the flood.

Damage from the flood in Calgary has been pegged at $256-million.

Meantime, The Alberta government says homeowners won’t be entitled to hardwood floors or granite counter tops in their provincial assistance for flood repairs.

The province announced new details to its flood assistance program Sunday and says all homeowners who qualify will get assistance for repairs, or a complete rebuild if that turns out to be cheaper.

But it says its funding formula will only apply for what it calls “basic levels of finish,” which it says will cover things like vinyl siding, asphalt shingles, “basic quality” carpet and laminate counter tops.

The announcement also says there will be funding to protect basements for homes and businesses in flood fringe areas.