Title
Assessment Review Boards Bylaw 2014-16
Proposed Motion(s)
That the Committee recommend Council give three readings to Bylaw No. 2014-16.
Body
Administration Recommendation(s)
Administration supports the proposed motion.
Purpose
To establish Assessment Review Boards under Part 11 of the Municipal Government Act.
Summary
Council had requested that Administration investigate alternate methods of delivering Assessment Review Board services to Parkland County property owners. Currently Parkland County appoints Council members, a provincial member and electors as Assessment Review Board members to hear our assessment appeals pursuant to Local Assessment Review Board Bylaw 37-2009 and Composite Assessment Review Board Bylaw 38-2009. Administration's review determined that many local authorities appoint assessment review board members from outside their municipality in order to mitigate perceived and actual bias of board members. Additionally administration determined that the Capital Region Assessment Services Commission provides specific administrative and financial services relating to Assessment Review Boards that would include providing trained Assessment Review Board members, accepting appeals and conducting hearings for Parkland County on a fee for service basis. Parkland County's obligations would be limited to providing a hearing room for appeals and paying the required annual fee of approximately $7,400 and $1,275 for each 4 hour hearing held.
Proposed Assessment Review Board Bylaw 2014-16 repeals Bylaw 37-2009 and Bylaw 38-2009, establishes Boards and Panels to hear and decide complaints and related matters in accordance with Part 11 of the Municipal Government Act, and authorizes the Manager from the Capital Region Assessment Services Commission to administer Assessment Review Boards on behalf of Parkland County. Only Capital Region Assessment Services Commission members are entitled to appoint Assessment Review Board panelist; therefore Parkland County would not be able to appoint any of our trained panelists as we are not a member of the commission. The Capital Region Assessment Services Commission membership is reviewing whether non-members should be entitled to appoint panelists in the future; however this decision may not be available within the timeframe Parkland County has to change our Assessment Review Board service delivery model for 2014. Contracting Capital Region Assessment Services Commission to provide Parkland County's 2014 Assessment Review Board process is administrations recommended option for service delivery.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications (As Required)
Contracting the Capital Region Assessment Services Commission supports Council's Governance Goal 2 to have mutually beneficial partnerships with other municipalities and orders of government based on respect for the aspirations, autonomy and right to self-determination of each.
Financial Impact:
Cost: $14,000.00
Source of Funding: Contingency
Other (As Required)