DIDSBURY - At the regular council meeting on April 24, council approved a tax rate decrease to residential and non-residential vacant properties and a zero per cent rate increase for the remaining assessment classes.
In 2017, there was a zero per cent rate increase, while in 2016 there was a 2.5 per cent reduction in the residential tax rate.
Didsbury mayor Rhonda Hunter said that council was pleased they could keep the zero per cent rate increase.
"Many communities around us are assessing a tax rate increase of one per cent to three per cent and our 2018 education property tax requisition saw a 5.31 per cent increase, so, of course, this council is very pleased to be able to unanimously vote for a zero per cent tax rate increase," said Hunter.
"It is important to highlight that we do this while maintaining a budget which provides funding that enables all town departments to deliver optimal operational functioning, quality and quantity of program and service delivery, and maintain a staffing level that meets the needs of looking after all of Didsbury and its residents.
"As we saw in our recent financial audit for 2017, we are managing our finances exceptionally well, and our CAO and department managers are to be commended for looking after their budgets so our taxpayers and residents are the recipients of the benefits of this fiscal responsibility."
The 2018 education property tax requisition is $1,590,713 for the Town of Didsbury, an increase of $80,271 or 5.31 per cent for the 2017 requisition. The Mountain View Seniors' Housing requisition is $95,629.
The municipal expenses and transfers set out in the budget for the Town of Didsbury for 2018 total $13,285,407. The estimated municipal revenues and transfers from all sources other than taxation are estimated at $8,363,132 and the balance of $4,922,275 is to be raised by general municipal taxation.
- The 2018 tax rate for residential/farm land is 8.30 with an assessment of $506,259,890 and the tax levy is $4,201,957.
- The tax rate for residential land -- vacant is 13.00 with an assessment of $6,542,410 and the tax levy is $85,051.
- The non-residential tax rate is 9.10 with an assessment of $61,235,370 for a tax levy of $557,242.
- The non-residential vacant tax rate is 14.00 with an assessment of $1,142,630 for a tax levy of $15,997.
- For linear, the tax rate is 9.10 with an assessment of $6,683,050 for a tax levy of $60,816.
- Machinery and equipment has a tax rate of 9.10 with an assessment of $133,170 for a tax levy of $1,212.
- Designated industrial has a tax rate of .0034178 with an assessment of $7,923,260 for a tax levy of $269.
