LAC LA BICHE - Lac La Biche County council will continue to discuss a proposed fee for debit and credit card transactions when administration returns with more information at a future meeting.
According to the information published in the agenda package for the Aug. 12 council meeting, Lac La Biche County administration proposed a 2.5 per cent fee on all credit and debit payments effective Jan. 1, 2026 when the county’s new ERP system is expected to launch.
“We do find a large uptake in residents coming to pay their taxes via credit card, for obvious reasons. They want to collect the points and what not. However it is a heavy burden on our operations, and we do feel that if we can try and get a cost recovery on this in 2026 it would be beneficial,” said Hafsah Moghrabi, the general manager of Corporate Services in her presentation to council.
According to Moghrabi, Lac La Biche County paid $88,567.40 in credit and debit fees in 2024.
She noted the proposal is specifically regarding utility and tax payments, not recreation transactions at the Bold Centre, which uses a different payment system.
Mayor Paul Reutov, Ward 7 Coun. John Mondal, and Ward 2 Coun. Kevin Paré all spoke against the proposed fee.
“Are we penalizing people to use their debit card or their credit card? . . . Out of a $72 million budget, we can’t even absorb $80,000? I believe we should make it easy and not difficult for people to pay taxes,” said Mondal.
Reutov echoed Mondal’s sentiments and added that if council decided to move to a fee structure he would rather see the percentage between 1.5 and 2 per cent.
“I don’t think debit charges that, I think it’s a transaction fee not a percentage,” said Reutov.
Paré disagreed with the suggestion people are paying by credit card in order to collect points, saying it may be true for five per cent of people.
“Other people are paying because they have to use their Visa because they can’t scrounge up $2,500 in one swoop to pay their taxes,” said Paré.
Ward 7 Coun. Lorin Tkachuk had no problem with the fee, provided information on the other options was provided to residents ahead of time.
Moghrabi confirmed automatic debit withdrawals, cheques, and cash payments would all remain free and available for customers.
“Point of order. I don’t like your last comment with educated,” said Paré.
“Please everyone, let’s settle this down for a second here guys,” said Deputy Mayor Jason Stedman before calling a five-minute recess.
When debate resumed, Ward 5 Coun. Charlyn Moore said she appreciated administration’s forethought with bringing the discussion to council, and asked if payment plans were an option, similar to when the bank includes the property taxes in the monthly mortgage payment. She also noted there is a similar fee charged by Alberta Registries.
According to Moghrabi, an automated monthly payment is an option, with the monthly payment being adjusted when the tax notices are sent in May.
Stedman stated $88,000 is a lot of money to spend on fees and that the County should not be the one footing the bill for someone to collect points on tax and utility payments.
“Yes it could be perceived that this is one of those type of advantages, but we can’t have every advantage out there. We do have to pick and choose which advantages we feel elevate our county to the next level higher. I don’t feel this is one of those,” said Stedman before calling the vote.
The motion, “that council directs administration to bring forward additional information on fee structures for credit and debit payment transactions incurred by Lac La Biche County services effective Jan. 1, 2026” carried five to three, with Mondal, Paré, and Reutov voting against.
