Property owners in Slave Lake should begin watching their mailboxes for the dreaded assessment and property tax notices in the next day or two, says Mayor Ray Stern. That’s because they’re responsible to see those bills are paid by the end of June – and even appeal time is limited.
“Remember appeals are limited — this is the only time of year you can challenge your assessment,” Stern told business representatives at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon last week.
Specifically, “you have just 30 days after the assessment notice is delivered, or is deemed to have been delivered” to file an appeal. “July will be too late.”
In fact, if the tax and assessment notices don’t show up in the mail, the onus is on the property owner to go looking, he added.
And Secretary Treasurer Irene Sasyniuk says those notices went out Friday (May 2), “so they have until June 2 to file those appeals.”
The Town opened the books to property owners for 30 days, starting Friday. During the appeal period, any property owner can take a look at assessments for the entire community, and can challenge their own assessments.
“The appeals have to be in writing,” say Sasyniuk, “and include your reasons for appealing, your mailing address and the property for which they’re appealing the assessment.”
There’s a $25 appeal fee for residential properties, and $75 for non-residential property owners.
But neither does an appeal mean property owners can ignore or delay paying their tax notices, she adds.
“To avoid (late payment) penalties, pay the bill on or before June 30, and “we’ll refund (the excess) if they’re granted their appeal.” She also explained assessment appeals can only be made on current year’s assessments.
The secretary treasurer says Slave Lake’s overall assessment went up by $11 million during 2002. Not all increased, however, so it’s difficult to make any blanket statement about which properties have increased in value and which have dropped. Sasyniuk did say, however, for residents who’d like to understand their assessments better, she has several copies of the booklet ‘Guide to Property Assessment and Taxation in Alberta’ she’ll gladly pass along.
“All they have to do is ask for it,” she says. The secretary-treasurer added she’s also willing to discuss the matter with property owners who have questions about their assessments or taxes.
Not just the Town looking for more cash.
Stern told Chamber members that the Town’s budget increased by 3.9 per cent this year. But there are substantial increases on the requisitions from the Seniors Housing and education authorities too, he added.
“Remember there are three (groups) charging you” on tax notices. He reiterated the fact that the Town merely acts as the collection agency for both requisitioning authorities.

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