Over the past two weeks, Drumheller residents have received their annual tax assessments in the mail.
     Bill Wulff, Acting Director of Corporate Services for the Town of Drumheller, took some time explain to inSide Drumheller how municipal taxes are calculated and how residents can appeal.
    “We get this often. Someone will come in saying their taxes are too high. We say they can’t appeal their taxes, just their assessment. Then, they say their assessment is fine and they don’t want the value of their house to go down,” said Wulff.
    The only avenue of appeal, for residents who disagree with their taxes, is the market value assessment of their property.
    To determine property taxes, the market value assessment of the property is multiplied by the tax rate, education tax rate, and Senior Foundation requisition rate.
    Tax rates were set earlier this year at 0.0072268 for residential and 0.0115074 for nonresidential. The education tax rate is 0.0027096 for residential and 0.0038132 for nonresidential. The Seniors Foundation requisition is 0.0003953.
    For example, a property assessment of $170,000 would result in property taxes of $1,228.56. However, with the addition of the Education Tax and Seniors Foundation requisition, the total property taxes become $1,756.39.
    For every $1,000 removed from the market value during an appeal, property taxes are reduced by $10.33 for residential and $15.72 for nonresidential.
    During the appeal process, an assessor is brought in to do a thorough inspection of the property to determine it’s market value. Any major construction on the property will affect the market value and, by extension, property taxes.
    “If you have an appeal, the assessor will be visiting your property,” said Wulff. “The assessment is based on the market value of your property, so if you can sell that new garage for $15,000, your assessment will go  up that much.”
    Normally, the market value for a property is determined using a mass appraisal process. Assessors examine property sales in a neighbourhood, then apply the average per cent increase or decrease to the remaining properties.
    “The assessment is really mass appraisal. Instead of having someone come into your house and look at absolutely everything, what happens is, they look at the sales in that neighbourhood. So, if all the houses went up by an average of six per cent, that is applied to every other house in that neighbourhood,” said Wulff. “That’s why there is an appeal process in place.”
    Also, any major construction is considered when determining market value. Assessors visit properties that are granted development permits.
    Overall, residential taxes saw an average increase of $96, with some properties seeing less and others more.
    The increase is largely due to increases in both the Education Tax and Drumheller and District Seniors Foundation requisition, neither of which the Town of Drumheller has any control over.
    Residents wishing to appeal their assessment may do so at Town Hall by filling out an appeal form.

    Some of the most industrious youth in the area will be showing the fruits of their labour next week.
    On Monday, June 3, the members of the Delua, Hesketh, Orkney, and Rumsey-Rowley beef clubs will gather for the annual Drumheller and District 4-H Show and Sale at the Delia Arena.
    So far, 42 animals, raised by the members, will be present.
    “It’s a little more than last year. We like to have things around 40, so this year we have some pretty good numbers,” said Janice Hoover, a member of Drumheller and District 4-H. “We have a few new members participating for the first time. We always look forward to seeing our new members show off their first animals.”
    This year also marks the 100th anniversary of 4-H in Canada. The Show and Sale will take some time to recognize the occasion, but is hoping to throw a bigger bash later this year.
    “We hope to talk a little about history throughout the day and there will be a cake there. We’re saving the big birthday bash until November so we can do all the things we want to do and not have to worry about Achievement Day at the same time,” said Hoover.
    This will be the second year in which the Carlie Bell Memorial Scholarship will be awarded. The scholarship was created in memory of Carlie Bell, a 4-H member who was extremely active with the Morrin Multi Club and in the Drumheller and District Council. In 2011, she passed away from viral encephalitis.
    “It’ll be presented at the beef supper and awards. The Bell family will be coming to do that presentation, which is great,” said Hoover. “There are still a lot of memories and thoughts about Carlie in the district.”
    Last year, Madison Heck was named grand champion, selling her 1,349 pound steer for $5 per pound. Breanna Heck was named reserve champion for her 1,322 pound steer, which was sold at $5 per pound.
    The day begins at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast. Afterwards, the female show starts at 9:30 a.m., followed by judging at 11:45 a.m. In the afternoon, the steer show begins at 12:25 p.m., followed by interclub competition at 3 p.m..
    The day closes with the annual supper and awards banquet at 5 p.m. and the sale at 7 p.m.