Homeowner gets $3,300 repair bill from city, despite policy change

CALGARY- A Calgary homeowner is furious that she’s on the hook for a $3,300 sidewalk repair bill—despite council changing its policy of charging residents for such work.

Back in 2011, the city ordered the sidewalk, curb and gutter in front of Paula Wallace’s Highland Park home to be replaced. At the time, homeowners split the cost with the city.

Work was delayed because of a utility line, and the sidewalk didn’t actually go in until last summer—but Wallace still got charged despite council overturning the policy back in 2012.

She adds it’s not fair that she was billed so long after the initial order, as finances can change.

“I could have lost my job. My husband could be out of work and we don’t know what the situation is, and then three years later we get a bill for $3,300 dollars.”

City officials say there’s not much they can do.

“We went through the regular process we would for every local improvement done in that manner at the time, and it was approved as part of the 2011 local improvement bylaw,” explains Jessica Bell from the City of Calgary roads department. “The cost had to be split 50/50 between the city and the homeowner.”

Ward 4 councillor Sean Chu says Wallace has the option to officially appeal the bill, and if she chooses to he will support her.