Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency establishes the manuals for assessing all properties in the province. The City assessment staff use these manuals to administer property valuation. To gain a better understanding of property assessment refer to the brief narrative that outlines the process. In addition to this narrative we have included some of the commonly asked questions regarding revaluation. Take note that the next province wide revaluation or reassessment will happen in 2009.

Property Assessment and 2009 Property Assessment Revaluation Frequently Asked Questions

Tax Policy

The City has an Internal Working Committee that meets periodically to review taxation policy as it relates to the most recent assessment revaluation. The role of the Committee is to provide recommendations to Council, to manage the shifts of taxation across the various property sectors by using defined tax tools. This Committee reviews the various taxation tools available and meets with sector groups to gather information. From these meetings the Committee puts forward recommendations for Council to consider. The tools presently available are base tax, minimum tax and mill rate factors.

The two representatives from Council are Councilors Ian Hamilton and Brad Pattinson. The Committee will commence meetings in the fall once the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency has released 2009 revaluation assessments to the City.

Tax Structures

TAX STRUCTURES
2009 Uniform Mill Rate		2009 Mill Rate Factors
Municipal	16.85	Agriculture	2.913
		Residential	0.567
		Condominium	0.567
		Vacant Residential	1.797
		Multi Unit Residential	1.679
		Commercial	1.843
		Elevators	1.843
		Pipelines	1.843

BASE TAX

Residential Property with Improvements

In accordance with section 259 of the Cities Act, a base tax of $523 per residential property with improvements and single condominium unit was established for the taxation year 2008. The principle behind the base tax is that single family residential units, regardless of assessment, should pay 60% of the net costs for the services that are provided equally for each property. These services are police, fire, and bylaw enforcement.

Residential Vacant Land

A base tax of $175 per residential vacant land was established for the taxation year 2008. The principle behind this base tax is that without improvements the servicing of these properties is reduced considerably e.g. policing required, however their still is a requirement for fire and bylaw enforcement.

MINIMUM TAX

In accordance with section 258 of the Cities Act, a minimum tax of $175 per agriculture property was set in 2008. The theory behind the minimum tax is that regardless of size or development, the City needs to recoup a certain level of cost.

MILL RATE FACTORS

The City has been using mill rate factors for the last several years to manage tax shifts within the various classes of property. The main principle governing the factors is to ensure that residential properties bear 60% of the municipal tax burden, which includes base tax, and 40% of the tax required is placed upon commercial and industrial properties.

RECREATION & CULTURAL CAPITAL FACILITIES LEVY

This levy was established to raise funds for the construction of new recreation and cultural facilities. A base tax of $100 per residential property with improvements, single condominium unit and every multi family unit was established for the taxation year 2008. In addition a 3.0 mill was applied to every commercial, elevator and railway property.

Mill Rates

2008 MILL RATES PER CLASS
Class	Residential	Condo	Res. Multi-Unit	Residential Vacant Land
Municipal	12.382	12.382	37.367	28.940
Public	24.25	24.25	24.25	24.25
Separate	24.25	24.25	24.25	24.25

	Commercial *	Elevator *	Rail & Pipeline *	Agricultural
Municipal	44.148	20.643	59.710	61.739
Public	24.25	24.25	24.25	24.25
Separate	24.25	24.25	24.25	24.25
* Includes the Recreation & Culture Capital Facilities Mill Rate (3.0)

Last updated April 2008