rampant tax inflation or just another example?

kcantor · 26-02-2007, 04:42 PM

Wasn't sure where to post this thought.

I considered "Politics"... then "Transportation and Infrastructure"... then "Regional Cooperation", all under "Regional Issues" but none of them seemed quite "right".

I couldn't see a fit under "Life In Edmonton" (except maybe "Lifestyles"?) and "Announcements" under "Growing Edmonton" seemed a possibility but it didn't seem to fit under any sort of "growth" category. "Edmonton's Image" came to mind but I didn't have anything visual to attach.

So under "C2E Features", I have just decided to post a RANT... :

From the County Manager of Leduc County:

"In order to prepare, tax estimates are being sent to all affected parties within the Airport and Nisku Business Park as follows:

"2006 Property Tax (not including Local Improvement Levies) $2,558.69
"Estimated 2007 Property Tax (not including Local Improvement Levies) $6,467.01
"Estimated Increase or Decrease $3,908.32
"Percentage 152.7%"

That's not a typo or a miscalculation (the math is correct). This years property tax bill is estimated to increase by 152.7%.

To be fair, the County Manager goes to great length to explain why their non-residential assessment will increase 152.7%. Their assessors have determined a 35% increase in market values and construction costs is appropriate while the "valuation of linear property (Power Lines, Pipelines, Oil and Gas Wells and and the Genesee Power Plant) by Municipal Affairs has "only"increased 16%. As the "linear assessment represents about 50% of the non-residential tax base of the County", it's only the math and the formula that's unfair so it's not their fault - it's the fault of the Province for not changing their method of assessment or and for not allowing "subclasses" (even though both of those things have been the same for decades). Presumably it was okay for the County for those years when the math went "the other way".

Excuse me for thinking this is the same game that gets bounced around between residential assessments and the residential mill rate where any tax increases are always the result of the "other" side of the equation. When the two sides aren't set at the same time, how does one control one's own costs or appeal either side when the argument from both is always "the additional money we are going to take is really determined by the other side, not mine"?

And just think... when those notices get forwarded for payment, does anyone really think the reaction will be "what's going on in Leduc County" instead of "what's going on in Edmonton" the next time a strategic business decision has to be made?

At least the City of Edmonton has never had the b***s to increase my residential taxes by 152.7% in a single year. Just imagine what Kerry would be able to do with that... we could have a daily supplement to our newspaper every day of the week that would be justified instead of just tilting at windmills.

I hope this isn't taken as an argument for regionalization or any such rationalization of our taxes along with our planning and our roads and our transit etc. I'm not sure if I could handle the simplicity or the equality or the fairness...

m0nkyman · 26-02-2007, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcantor

At least the City of Edmonton has never had the b***s to increase my residential taxes by 152.7% in a single year.

They did that to mine though....

RichardS · 26-02-2007, 06:38 PM

OK Ken, you have me scared....I'd better double check the assessment on the farm......

26-02-2007, 04:42 PM	#1
kcantor Addicted to C2E Mr. Reality Check Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Edmonton, Alberta	rampant tax inflation or just another example? Wasn't sure where to post this thought. I considered "Politics"... then "Transportation and Infrastructure"... then "Regional Cooperation", all under "Regional Issues" but none of them seemed quite "right". I couldn't see a fit under "Life In Edmonton" (except maybe "Lifestyles"?) and "Announcements" under "Growing Edmonton" seemed a possibility but it didn't seem to fit under any sort of "growth" category. "Edmonton's Image" came to mind but I didn't have anything visual to attach. So under "C2E Features", I have just decided to post a RANT... : From the County Manager of Leduc County: "In order to prepare, tax estimates are being sent to all affected parties within the Airport and Nisku Business Park as follows: "2006 Property Tax (not including Local Improvement Levies) $2,558.69 "Estimated 2007 Property Tax (not including Local Improvement Levies) $6,467.01 "Estimated Increase or Decrease $3,908.32 "Percentage 152.7%" That's not a typo or a miscalculation (the math is correct). This years property tax bill is estimated to increase by 152.7%. To be fair, the County Manager goes to great length to explain why their non-residential assessment will increase 152.7%. Their assessors have determined a 35% increase in market values and construction costs is appropriate while the "valuation of linear property (Power Lines, Pipelines, Oil and Gas Wells and and the Genesee Power Plant) by Municipal Affairs has "only"increased 16%. As the "linear assessment represents about 50% of the non-residential tax base of the County", it's only the math and the formula that's unfair so it's not their fault - it's the fault of the Province for not changing their method of assessment or and for not allowing "subclasses" (even though both of those things have been the same for decades). Presumably it was okay for the County for those years when the math went "the other way". Excuse me for thinking this is the same game that gets bounced around between residential assessments and the residential mill rate where any tax increases are always the result of the "other" side of the equation. When the two sides aren't set at the same time, how does one control one's own costs or appeal either side when the argument from both is always "the additional money we are going to take is really determined by the other side, not mine"? And just think... when those notices get forwarded for payment, does anyone really think the reaction will be "what's going on in Leduc County" instead of "what's going on in Edmonton" the next time a strategic business decision has to be made? At least the City of Edmonton has never had the b***s to increase my residential taxes by 152.7% in a single year. Just imagine what Kerry would be able to do with that... we could have a daily supplement to our newspaper every day of the week that would be justified instead of just tilting at windmills. I hope this isn't taken as an argument for regionalization or any such rationalization of our taxes along with our planning and our roads and our transit etc. I'm not sure if I could handle the simplicity or the equality or the fairness...

26-02-2007, 06:38 PM	#3
RichardS C2E Junkie * Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	OK Ken, you have me scared....I'd better double check the assessment on the farm...... __________________ Everywhere I go, I've been slandered, Libeled, I've heard words I've never heard in the Bible - and I am so tired. Simon and Garfunkel "Keep the customer satisfied" Yup, that about sums it up.