No property tax increase for 2020

Property owners can expect to get a break on their property taxes this year as the County looks for ways to help residents and businesses deal with the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On April 21, County Council approved a zero per cent tax increase, meaning no municipal tax dollar increase for residential and non-residential properties in 2020. The 2020 budget, as approved in December 2019, had called for a 1.21 per cent tax dollar increase.

Apart from the impact of annual assessment changes, property owners can expect to pay a municipal property tax amount close to what they paid in 2019.

Strathcona County encourages payment of property taxes by June 30 to effectively support the continued delivery of programs and services. For those taxpayers, who need to delay all, or a portion of their 2020 tax payment, Council has passed a motion for a penalty bylaw amendment to delay property tax payment penalties until October 1, 2020. The Tax Rate Bylaw is scheduled to be brought to Council on May 5.

“The plight of COVID-19 has created economic distress for many in our community,” says Mayor Frank. “No tax increase, and giving those who may need it a little longer to pay is attuned to our current reality. We trust these measures will help to ease the burdens during this extraordinarily challenging time.”

Property tax notices and more information will be mailed to property owners in May.

Set in the centre of Alberta’s energy and agricultural heartland, Strathcona County is a thriving, successful and vibrant community of over 98,000 residents. Strathcona County is made up of the urban area of Sherwood Park and a large adjacent rural area of farms, acreages and smaller hamlets. It is home to 75 per cent of hydrocarbon processing in Western Canada. Strathcona County is a leader in environmental conservation, and 55 per cent of its land is within the UNESCO Beaver Hills Biosphere. With a focus on economic, governance, social, cultural and environmental sustainability, Strathcona County is committed to balancing the unique needs of its diverse community.

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Contact: Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595