Several Cold Lake residents pushed back against proposed changes to how property taxes are collected within modular home communities during a lengthy public hearing at Monday night’s council meeting.

The discussion centred on Bylaw 909-FN-26, which would allow the City to collect property taxes for designated manufactured homes through community owners rather than directly billing individual homeowners.

Residents who spoke during the hearing raised concerns about transparency, accountability and the potential impact on homeowners living in modular home parks.

Marie Todd told council the proposal treats modular homeowners differently than condominium owners, despite similarities in how the communities function.

“I honestly just tell people I have a condo. It’s the exact same concept,” Todd said during the hearing.

Todd explained that modular homeowners already pay monthly lot fees while also paying property taxes directly to the City, similar to condo owners paying condo fees alongside property taxes.

“You don’t tax the condo owner for the 52 apartments in his building,” she told council.

Several residents also challenged suggestions that modular homes are easily movable and, therefore, should be treated differently from traditional housing.

“They can’t move the home overnight in a modular case,” Todd said.

Concerns were also raised about whether homeowners would still receive clear tax information if taxes were collected through park ownership instead of directly by the municipality.

Administration explained the proposed bylaw is intended to modernize and simplify collection processes under provincial legislation that allows municipalities to assess and tax designated manufactured homes differently than traditional residential properties.

City administration noted the proposal would not eliminate taxes owed by homeowners but would change the collection structure and responsibility framework.

During the hearing, council acknowledged the concerns being raised by residents and indicated feedback from the public was being taken seriously.

“We’re open to hearing the input and we’re getting it loud and clear,” council said during discussion.

Councillors also clarified that no final decision had yet been made and the public hearing was part of gathering community feedback before council proceeds further with the bylaw.

The hearing lasted more than 40 minutes and included multiple questions from residents regarding tax notices, accountability, homeowner protections and the role of park operators under the proposed structure.

Council has not yet given final approval to the bylaw.