Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is directing her municipal affairs minister to review a number of local financial issues, including how much elected municipal officials get paid. A mandate letter from the premier to Dan Williams says the pay review should ensure taxpayer dollars are being respected and officials are paid appropriately for the amount of work they do. Williams says it’s not the government’s position that local officials are overpaid and underworked, but he plans to go into the review with open eyes. The minister has also been tasked with finding ways to limit annual property tax increases and counteract special taxes that some municipalities place on vacant homes. He says the government’s goal is to ensure all property owners are treated fairly.