Please help

The Facts

Fact #1

• In 2018, New Testament Baptist Church applied for a permit to set up a donated modular classroom for grades K-6.
• Parkland County approved it but demanded $200,645 in Offsite Levies, which the church and school could not afford.
• We were forced to sign a payment deferral agreement.

Fact #2

• In 2023-2024, we requested an exemption again for donated ATCO classroom units, as we are non-profit, not commercial developers, but the County refused.
• In Feb 2024, the County ordered the portable units' removal, even though they were unused and safely stored.
• We are still waiting for a Development Permit to expand our growing Christian School.

Fact #3

• Total Offsite Levies have risen to $322,000, including the original permit and a permit for our Pastor's mobile home upgrade.
• The County refused to exempt or grandfather the Pastor's residence from the Offsite Levy Exemption.

Fact #4

• Our local Councilor opposed our exemption publicly, and no Parkland official has supported our request.
• The County website states exemptions can be granted, and officials have "broad local discretion" to grant them.
• We're simply asking for fair and equal treatment the same as Public and Catholic schools.

Fact #5

• We spent approx. $15,000 on legal consultations with 3 highly qualified lawyers.
• Lawyers confirmed only Public and Catholic schools are exempt under current law but not other accredited, non-profit schools.
• The lawyers recommended it would not be advisable to proceed with legal action.
• The best approach is to "Go Public" and advocate to amend the AB Municipal Government Act.

Fact #6

• More details can be found here.
• Links to supporting documents can be found here.

Action Plan

Based on the related facts, legal advice and the support of various Provincial and Municipal Elected Officials, our church NTBC and Christian School Board have taken the following steps to remedy this unfair financial burden on non-profit and religious organizations.

1. Initiate an Alberta Citizen Petition to Amend the Municipal Government Act to grant municipal offsite levy exemptions to for accredited non-profit independent or other religious grade K-12 schools.
2. MLA Shane Getson has agreed to present the signed Petition in the AB Legislature.
3. Set up an official web-site to inform the public and promote the Petition.
4. Request tax deductible donations to help pay for the $322,000. Offsite Levies and related legal expenses.
5. Go door to door in our local neighborhoods to inform the public and promote the Petition.
6. Organize peaceful public rallies to inform the public and promote the Petition.
7. Prepare various Media Releases to inform the public and promote the Petition.
8. Continue to pray without ceasing that the LORD will over-rule in this matter and help our Elected Officials to do what is right in the sight of GOD and man. GOD keep our land glorious and Free!