CARROT RIVER — While Carrot River’s 4.9 mill tax rate and its factors haven't changed for the 2021 year, the same can’t be said about the prices individual property owners will pay.
Brennan Hall, Carrot River’s administrator said the town has received “tons” of concerns from residents.
“Ninety-nine per cent of people’s properties have gone up. They’re not the same as they are in 2020 so taxes went up due to that itself and the base tax going up,” Brennan Hall, Carrot River’s administrator.
“I would say it’s anywhere between $200 to $300 more on average, but there’s quite a variance in there depending on the property. Some only went up $100 and some went up $1,000.”
Property assessments are conducted by the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency (SAMA), with the municipality having no control over the rate.
Carrot River’s total taxable residential properties went from $43,825,360 in the 2020 year to $50,345,840 in 2021. Factors include taxable residential land, which went from $2,254,880 to $5,099,840, as well as taxable residential improvements which dropped from $41,570,480 to $45,246,000.
Total taxable commercial properties went down from $8,771,100 to $8,538,250, due to taxable improvements dropping from $8,349,400 to $7,498,700. Taxable commercial land which went up from $421,700 to $1,039,550.
Hall attributed the commercial improvement drop with businesses that have closed up.
“[There are] a lot of old buildings in town and they’re depreciating as the years go on. That’s one of our goals and objectives right now to promote new business and also to promote new buildings and current business owners to improve their buildings.”
Total taxable agriculture went from $65,395 to $142,450.
Vacant lots have almost doubled for commercial use, going from $51,800 to $105,060. Vacant residential lots rose from $69,040 to $90,320.
The deadline to appeal an assessment error has passed as of April 30. Hall said there was one successful appeal in town, where SAMA overvalued a property due to a building they didn’t realize was junked.
“The assessments are in stone now,” Hall said.
“My advice for people is to really keep an eye on it for next year, 2022. When that assessment notice comes out again next spring, really analyse that and get on it quick. Don’t leave it to sit there and don’t think about it, if something feels wrong, just act on it. The worst thing that they can do for you is say, ‘Nope, that’s right.’”
