TAMRMS#: B06
9.2
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Property Tax Relief Requests
Presented by: Stephen Bannerman, City Assessor, Financial and Strategic Services
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
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1. That Council move in camera pursuant to section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to consider outstanding 2024 requests for property tax relief.
2. That the details of the in camera discussion remain confidential pursuant to section 153(e) of the Municipal Government Act.
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SUMMARY
To present for Council's consideration, in summary format, the outstanding 2024 requests for property tax relief. Section 203(2) of the Municipal Government Act provides that a Council may not delegate its powers under section 347 of the Municipal Government Act regarding property tax relief to any person or council committee.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
Section 347(1) of the Municipal Government Act.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Section 347(1) of the Municipal Government Act permits Council the discretion to cancel or reduce tax arrears, cancel or refund all or part of a tax, or defer the collection of a tax, for a particular taxable property, or class of taxable property, if it considers it equitable to do so.
Council must exercise this discretion in an equitable and transparent manner, as any cancellation, reduction, or deferral has a financial consequence to the City. Council Policy C-FS-15 has been established to provide clarity and guidance regarding how requests for property tax relief may be deliberated at the Council level.
The City of St. Albert communicates property tax deadlines to ratepayers through a variety of methods to avoid late payments. Deadline dates are provided on the tax notice itself, the City of St. Albert website, social media posts, and in advertisements in the local paper.
Several options are available for paying taxes. They include the Pre-Authorized Tax Payment Plan,...
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