Councillors for the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River have fallen in lock step with several of the counterparts across the province that are limiting municipal property tax hikes to seniors – if the seniors meet their specifications. Last week they adopted a program to “provide relief to low income seniors in the M.D. from escalating …property taxes caused by assessment increases.”
Finance officer Judy Hogberg told council the strategy will help some seniors beat the tax man – or at least the property assessors. In essence, the new program will ensure that the senior’s property taxes don’t jump more than the country’s consumer price index in any given year. That’s the figure the federal government uses every Jan. 1 when it decides whether it’ll need to adjust the Canada Pension Plan rates to help recipients keep up with the cost of living.
But unlike the bean counters in Ottawa, the M.D. won’t claw back any windfalls that might come seniors’ way during the year.
Studying the sky-rocketing property assessment jumps across the province in recent years – and their own average 30 per cent hike in property taxes to residential homeowners last year — councillors asked administrators to find a way for them to cushion the blow for seniors on fixed incomes.
Hogberg said the new program will decrease the M.D.’s overall property tax income somewhat, but estimated that as few as 175 seniors in the municipality will qualify for the program.
Under the proposed guidelines, applicants must own and live in their own homes, own no other property, and must have owned the home for at least a year.
As well, applicants must prove that they meet the qualifications of the Alberta Senior Benefit program.
“Is that really necessary?” asked Councillor Debbie Parsons, pointing to the final condition.
“It’s in seniors’ best interests to take advantage of that program if they qualify,” replied Hogberg.
“We can help them make sure they’re receiving all possible benefits.”
Councillor Gary Horton also pointed out that council needs to pay special attention to ensuring seniors who’ve been widowed during the current year receive all benefits coming to them.
Hogberg said she could add a clause to help deal with that situation and any “extra-ordinary circumstances, at council’s discretion.”
“I think this looks good and will help achieve what we’re trying to achieve — to keep our seniors in our community,” said Councillor Mike Skrynyk.
In a later interview, Hogberg said she expects to have the program operating for 2009.
“I’m kind of excited,” she said. “This will be a good thing for those who need it.”

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