Assessment spike keeps Town of Okotoks’ phones ringing

The arrival of assessment notices that included a sharp rise in property values has meant the Town of Okotoks has experienced a significant increase in the number of inquiries and complaints this year. 

CAO Elaine Vincent said the Town has received roughly double the number of calls in comparison to a normal year, a surge fueled by the fact that assessed values for residential properties have increased, on average, by 20 per cent. 

“No matter how much we tried to do ahead of time (to make people aware), that shock value when you're getting that notification has certainly caused some conversations,” Vincent said. 

The Town had earlier made homeowners aware that a 20 per cent assessment increase doesn’t translate into a 20 per cent property tax hike. A home with an assessment increase in the 20 per cent range would likely see its tax bill rise in line with the 4.6 per cent hike approved by Okotoks council last fall. 

Property assessment notices were mailed out earlier this month and homeowners have until March 11 to file a formal appeal. 

Vincent said 80 to 90 per cent of callers, once the assessment process and subsequent property tax implications are explained to them, are comfortable with the situation.  

“We always say the first step in the process is to call the assessor. They'll take a look and walk them through comparable properties, how the mass appraisal system works,” she said. 

“And then we always encourage everyone, although it's not as relevant because it's back to a previous time period, but go on MLS and see what properties are listing for in your area and then of course if they don't agree, they can always file that complaint.” 

Vincent also encourages people to use the property tax calculator on the Town’s website to determine the impact of a higher assessment. 

The appeal process, which includes a $50 fee, would require a homeowner to provide documentation to the assessment review board to substantiate why they believe their home should be assessed at a lesser value. 

Vincent said the review board is made up of members of the public who have received certified training to properly adjudicate appeals. She said there are no members of Okotoks council on the review board. 

Vincent said she’s heard from a couple of people who have questioned the integrity of the assessment process, believing council has manipulated it to raise more tax money, an assertion she said is incorrect. 

“I want to make it clear that this is a highly regulated process. There are checks and balances in the system, our assessment roll is audited and we have to pass in order to declare the assessment roll from a quality control perspective. 

“It's the same process we've had year over year, but just because the markets increased by 20 per cent doesn't mean that the process is flawed,” she said.