Bentley Council Moves to Sell Three Properties for Unpaid Taxes
BENTLEY – The Town of Bentley will proceed with a public auction for three properties carrying a combined total of over $51,000 in unpaid taxes, following a unanimous council vote Tuesday night.
The decision authorizes the town to recover long-overdue property taxes, a step required under provincial law.
Tax Sale Details
If the outstanding taxes are not paid, the properties will be sold at a public auction on July 24, 2025, at the Town of Bentley office. The properties and their tax arrears are:
* 5202 50 Avenue (Lot 1, Block 2, Plan 7721382): $3,656.77
* 4802 50 Avenue (Lot 1, Block 4, Plan 4175CL): $43,446.77
* 4803 49 Avenue (Lot 12, Block 10, Plan 4175CL): $4,467.07
Council passed the motion 5-0 without debate, treating it as a necessary administrative step to manage the town’s finances.
Air Quality Report Positive
Residents received good news about the air they breathe. Kevin Warren, Executive Director of the Parkland Airshed Management Zone (PAMZ), told council that Bentley’s air quality is “quite good.”
Warren presented data from mobile air quality monitoring done in the summer of 2024. He noted that levels of ambient Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), a gas with a rotten egg smell often associated with oil and gas activity, have decreased significantly since PAMZ first started testing in the area in 2002.
Fire Advisory Now in Effect
Due to dry conditions, the Bentley Fire Department has issued a fire advisory for the town. Council received the official notification during the meeting.
The advisory means no new fire permits will be issued, and all current permits are suspended until further notice. Residents are urged to use extreme caution with approved fire pits and ensure all fires are fully extinguished.
Other Business
Council also handled several other items:
* Fire Services Review: A new committee will be formed with members from both the Town of Bentley and Lacombe County to review the current Fire Services Agreement. This is a step toward ensuring the long-term effectiveness of regional fire protection.
* Land Sale: Council approved the sale of a residential lot at 5606 48A Street in the Sunset Heights subdivision. The sale was approved unanimously.
* Financials: The prepaid cheque list, covering payments from #20250208 to #20250242, was approved as a routine matter.
What's Next
The fire advisory is effective immediately. Property owners in tax arrears have until the July 24 auction date to pay the balance owed to prevent the sale of their property.