TAMRMS#: B06
12.1
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Bylaw 18/2025 - 2025 Tax Rate Bylaw (1st, 2nd, 3rd readings)
Presented by: Stephen Bannerman, Senior Manager, Assessment and Taxation
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
1. That Bylaw 18/2025, being a bylaw to authorize the rates of property taxation for 2025, be read a first time.
2. That Bylaw 18/2025 be read a second time.
3. That unanimous consent be given for consideration of third reading of Bylaw 18/2025.
4. That Bylaw 18/2025 be read a third and final time.
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SUMMARY
This report:
1. Summarizes the changes in the 2024 taxable assessment base.
2. Sets the municipal property tax rates resulting from the 2025 approved budget including:
a. General Municipal Levy Tax Rates
b. Servus Place Capital Debenture Tax Rates
c. Annexation Lands Tax Rates
3. Sets the education property tax rates required for the 2025 Provincial Education Requisition.
4. Sets the Homeland Housing Foundation tax rates required for the 2025 requisition.
5. Sets the “Designated Industrial Property” tax rate required for the 2025 requisition.
6. Summarizes the impact that 2025 tax levies and requisitions will have on residential and non-residential properties.
7. Provides tax payment information including deadlines and penalty amounts.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Please refer to the attachment #2 entitled “2024 Assessment and 2025 Taxes”.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
Approved tax rates and tax impacts will be communicated to property owners via advertisement through City Lights, website updates, May 6th council presentation, Assessment/Taxation Brochure, and social media. The majority of the communication will proceed upon passing of Bylaw 18/2025.
Administration intends to send combined 2025 Assessment & Taxation Notices to property owners on Friday, May 16, 2025 via Canada Post.
The deadline for property assessment appeals is Friday July 25th, 2025.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial
Passing of this bylaw will provide funding as per the 2025 approved Municipal Operating Budget.
Compliance & Legal
The Municipal Government Act, pursuant to Part 10, Division 2, requires an annual bylaw to establish property tax rates, against assessed property, to raise sufficient tax revenue to fund municipal services and to provide for various requisitions from outside organizations such as the Alberta School Foundation Fund (ASFF) and Homeland Housing.
Program or Service
Passing of this bylaw will provide funding for the programs and service levels as approved in the 2025 Municipal Operating Budget.
Organizational
None at this time.
Risks
The passage of this bylaw is a mandatory requirement.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Initiative aligned with Strategic Plan:
Not Applicable
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
N/A
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternative could be considered:
ALTERNATIVE 1:
A differing general municipal tax split could be implemented by Council. This would alter the tax impacts affecting the municipal portion of property taxes between the residential and non-residential property classes. Such a change may affect the timing of passing of the tax rate bylaw and subsequently the timing of mailout of the Assessment & Tax notices.
Financial:
Further increases or decreases to the purposed tax split would have effects on both residential and non-residential property classes. Setting the tax split is a policy decision by council on how to distribute the tax burden between residential and non-residential properties. C-FS-05 Budget and Taxation Guiding Principles allows annual adjustment to the tax split which may result in higher average municipal tax increases for non-residential property.
Compliance & Legal:
The Municipal Government Act, pursuant to Part 10, Division 2, requires an annual bylaw to establish property tax rates, against assessed property, to raise sufficient tax revenue to fund municipal services and to provide for various requisitions from outside organizations such as the Alberta School Foundation Fund (ASFF) and Homeland Housing
Program or Service:
A change to the tax split is a redistribution of the municipal tax burden. Programs and service funding would not be affected.
Organizational
None at this time.
Risks
The passage of a 2025 Tax Rate Bylaw is a mandatory requirement.
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Report Date: May 6th, 2025
Author(s): Stephen Bannerman
Department: Finance and Strategic Services
Department Director: Anne Victoor
Managing Director: Diane McMordie
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher