The property taxation process
Each year, City of Fort Saskatchewan Administration and City Council determine the cost and the municipal budget needed to provide services such as fire, police, and ambulance service; snow removal; community and social services; road construction and maintenance; bylaw enforcement; park maintenance, libraries and other services to residents and businesses for the coming year. Most of the revenue required is collected by way of property taxation under authority of the Municipal Government Act (statute of Alberta). Other areas of revenue collection would be government grants and user fees.
The City is also required to collect school taxes on behalf of the Province and the Public and Separate School Boards. School taxes are not subject to control or review by the City.
Property owners are notified of their share of municipal and school taxes owing through Assessment and Property Tax Notices mailed yearly.
These notices include information on the location or legal description of the property, the assessed value, the taxes owing, the due date, information on how to appeal an assessment, and the penalty(ies) for non-payment of these taxes.