MOOSE JAW — City council had three options for 2025’s Board of Revision service provider — a provincial board, a private contractor or a local group — and decided to stick with the private company.
During its Dec. 2 regular meeting, council unanimously authorized city administration to re-sign a contract with Meota-based Western Municipal Consulting Ltd. (WMC) for independent Board of Revision (BOR) services for next year.
“The Board of Revision serves a vital role in the property assessment process, ensuring that property valuations are fair and accurate … ,” city clerk Tracy Wittke told council during the meeting. “It functions similar to a court, providing a formal process for property owners to challenge their assessments.”
Wittke presented three options for next year’s BOR service provider: Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR Institute of Saskatchewan) services, reinstating a local board, or re-hiring WMC.
ADR Institute
Municipalities that are unable or unwilling to appoint their own certified Board of Revision can use the centralized, government-appointed ADR Institute of Saskatchewan. This is a not-for-profit dispute resolution body that provides leadership, education and advocacy and offers the same functions as a local board.
WMC
WMC offers “a fair and objective medium” for handling appeals, especially in areas where local resources are limited, with the board composed of professionals such as land surveyors, planners and assessors, the report said.
“The city has maintained a positive working relationship with WMC. There have been issues that needed to be addressed, but communication has been open and resolutions have been timely,” Wittke said. “Additionally, all hearings and decisions for 2024 were submitted in a timely manner.”
Local BOR
Moose Jaw’s BOR had four members in 2021, but one died and another became unavailable, leaving two active members, the report said. The board chairman recruited two retired residents, but one — Clive Tolley — was elected mayor in a byelection, leaving three members.
Legislation requires Boards of Revision to conclude their activities within 180 days of the assessment roll’s advertisement, with the ministry willing to grant extensions within the current calendar year but not into a new calendar year, the report continued.
Wittke noted that the local BOR should have concluded its activities by Nov. 15, 2021, but did not issue its final decision until March 11, 2022.
Cost comparisons
Wittke also compared the costs of ADR, WMC and a local board:
- Retainer fee: $250 / $250 / N/A
- Secretarial service fee: $50 per hour with a four-hour minimum per file / $55 per hour / $18,790.72 for services in 2021
- Board members: $150 per hour per panel member for residential appeals and $250 per hour for non-residential appeals / $90 per hour per panel member / $41,475 for the chairman and panel members in 2021
This year, the city paid WMC $68,261.07 for its services, while in 2021, the municipality paid the local board $60,265.72, the report said.
Since the province must certify all boards, hiring a local board would incur additional costs, since board members and the secretary must complete a 20-hour course at $100 per person, while each must pay $100 to challenge an exam, Wittke said.
Further, there “are risks associated” with appointing a local board, such as panel members not completing the training or failing to obtain certification, she continued.
“Selecting the right service provider for the city’s Board of Revision is crucial for ensuring fair and efficient property assessment appeals,” Wittke added.
Council hired a private contractor in 2021 because it was difficult to find new local panel members and some thought they were unfairly compensated, said Coun. Heather Eby.
If council re-hired a local board, those members must take training and the city would have to pay for their training, so costs could add up, while some may not be dedicated to the role, she continued.
“And the appeals took too long, so it was not a great system … ,” Eby said, adding appellants’ feelings won’t be hurt as much with a private contractor compared to a local board of known residents.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Dec. 16.
