Most County residents will see little to no change in their property taxes for 2020.
Council voted to approve the mill rate at its May 6 meeting, which will result in a 1.3 per cent increase in overall taxes. About 85 per cent of property owners will see a decrease, no change, or increase of $1 to $100 per year on their taxes.
Christine Hummel, director of corporate services for Foothills County, said just over 1,000 owners will have a significant change in taxes due to assessment values.
Though the municipal portion of the bill would have shown a 2.36 per cent decrease, changes in assessment and requisitions have brought taxes closer to a zero per cent increase, or more in some cases, she said.
“The vast majority – over half – show no change, or a decrease actually in residential or farmland taxes,” said Hummel.
The County’s budget sits just over $75.4 million for 2020 with about $58.4 million coming from tax levies.
Hummel said the impact on taxes is minimal this year because the County was able to keep its operating expenses low, and minimize its draw on reserve funds.
“Other municipalities may be looking at using some of their reserves to subsidize their operations this year,” she said. “Foothills County is not in the same position as those municipalities and I would really caution the use of reserves to subsidize anything in future.”
There is just over $30 million in requisitions, including $983,000 for the seniors foundation, $197,000 for ambulance and 911, $2.51 million for recreation, $5.43 million for fire protection, $455,900 for library services, $665,963 for RCMP, and $36,868 for designated industrial property.
In addition, the Alberta School Foundations Fund (school requisition amount) came in at $19.5 million and Christ the Redeemer Catholic School’s requisition was $1.9 million.
“We are somewhat hostage to what these other requisitions are,” said Hummel. “That being said, I think it’s a fairly solid budget when you consider our assessment has dropped 2.07 per cent overall in the County.”
CAO Harry Riva Cambrin said property values fell more in some areas than others, which is why some tax notices may vary.
“You’ll see some people are up slightly on the residential, and then others are going down and it’s the way assessment is done in the province,” said Riva Cambrin.
He said the average taxpayer in the municipality pays approximately $5,000 per year, so a one per cent change in taxes equates to about $50 per year.
Coun. Larry Spilak said he was pleased with the work County staff have done to reduce the impact on residents this year.
“I want to commend our staff in working with council to get this mill rate down to where it is,” said Spilak. “I’m sure we’ve all looked at other jurisdictions. Even Rocky View is at three per cent this year, so a job well done.”
Riva Cambrin said administration has begun work on its tax notices, ensuring everything is in place to print tax and assessment notices and information despite remote working during the pandemic.
He added residents are still encourage to sign up for the County’s payment program, which spreads out the cost of taxes over the course of the year.
“So far the tax instalment payment program has not had any major drawbacks,” said Riva Cambrin.
For more information visit www.mdfoothills.com
Krista Conrad, OkotoksToday.ca
COVID-19 UPDATE: Follow our COVID-19 special section for the latest local and national news on the coronavirus pandemic, as well as resources, FAQs and more.
