CANMORE – Canmore homeowners may soon be able to access property tax and assessments online.
Town council gave first reading to the electronic transmissions bylaw for property assessment and taxation, which aims to deliver the notices to property owners more quickly, with second and third readings scheduled for Feb. 7.
Megan Dalrymple, the Town’s property tax coordinator, said the potential move would allow people to view and receive the tax document through an online portal.
“Providing property tax owners with a paperless option will allow for more timely access to the notices as well as a more environmentally friendly option of communication,” she said, adding it would allow homeowners to print property tax documents when they need them.
Mailing out property notices costs about $17,275 in 2022 due to costs of paper, printing, packaging and postage. In the same year, assessment notices cost about $15,000.
The Municipal Government Act allows for such information to be received electronically, but had yet to be made by the Town of Canmore since the province made changes in 2018.
The Town has had the electronic option for utility bills since 2016.
Town staff have also accepted pre-enrolment for property taxes and have about 3,450 collected, representing about 26 per cent of property owners in Canmore.
Estimated savings would be about $4,300 to $8,600 for tax notices and $3,700 to $7,500 for assessment notices if the electronic enrolment reaches between 25 and 50 per cent.
Among other documents that would be eligible to be sent electronically are supplemental assessment and tax notices and Assessment Review Board complaint correspondence for hearing details and providing evidence.
A staff report notes there had been requests from residents for the electronic option as opposed to receiving it by mail. In 2021 and 2022, 98 per cent of complainants asked for email correspondence.
If approved by council, the program could launch as early as May.
The first year, if successfully passed, will continue to deliver paper notices to those signed up for electronic copies.
If passed, property owners can request making the switch on the Town’s website and an email will notify people when a copy has been electronically sent.
Dalrymple said Town staff have had discussions of going entirely electronic for utility bills or adding a surcharge for those preferring paper documents, but nothing is imminent.
“It’s definitely something we always consider and always have to be mindful of those who are not as comfortable as technology, particularly seniors, so it’s something we consider but no definite action plan for that,” she said.
Mayor Sean Krausert said several sectors have been using electronic documents instead of paper for items such as banking and payroll.
“It really is the way things are going. … Someday I expect it will be all paperless,” he said. “It’s a question of when in my mind.”
