January 2023 Newsletter

Happy New Year Ward 14!

My January column is going to be filled with things that you need to be paying attention to at this time of year. Mainly that means property assessment information. It is also something that I will be mentioning for the next few months because it is important for all Calgarians to know. 

2023 Customer Review Period

Your 2023 Property Assessment notice has been mailed. When you receive your notice, check the property details and review your property value. Your property assessment reflects the market value of your property on July 1, 2022, and the characteristics and physical condition of the property on Dec. 31, 2022.

To help you review your property assessment we offer general resources on calgary.ca/assessment and property specific tools through the secure logon feature of Assessment Search at calgary.ca/assessmentsearch. By logging onto your property specific account on Assessment Search, you can:

• Check the property details used to determine the assessed value of your property.
• Update your residential property details. It’s important you keep your information current, as incorrect property details may result in assessments that do not accurately reflect the value of your property.
• Compare your property’s assessed value to other similar properties in your area to ensure fairness. 
• Review real estate market trends and learn how your property was assessed. 

Are you new to the Assessment Search? You can visit calgary.ca/about-assessment-search to learn how to set up your account.

If you have questions about your 2023 property assessment, please contact us during the 2023 Customer Review Period which runs from Jan. 4 to March 13, 2023. Your property is used to calculate your annual property tax bill, which is mailed in the spring.

Learn more about Property Assessment at Ask The City Assessor Q&A session

You can learn more about how The City determines property assessments at Ask The City Assessor Q&A session. This virtual information session is free and open to Calgary home and commercial property owners, who may have questions about the 2023 Property Assessment process. During this session, City Assessor Eddie Lee will answer questions on how property assessments work. There will be a short presentation followed by a question-and-answer period. Property owners are encouraged to ask general questions

Note: Due to privacy concerns, Mr. Lee will not answer property specific questions during this session. Citizens are invited to call 403-268-2888 to ask questions specific to their Property Assessment.

When: Tuesday, Jan. 17, 7-8 p.m.

Where: Virtual on Microsoft Teams. Register via calgary.ca/assessment.

Property Assessment: Go Paperless Contest 

Switch to paperless assessment notice (eNotice). Then enter for a chance to win one of 12 Visa gift cards valued at $250 each.

After you sign-up for eNotice, you’ll receive an email with the contest entry link. Complete the form and you’re entered. The Contest is open to new and existing eNotice subscribers.

Going paperless saves:

Time: We save five years of assessment notices so they’re always easy to find. 

Trees: Paperless assessment notices are greener. Switching is good for forests. 

Tax dollars: Mailing paper assessment notices to 500,000 households is expensive.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Contest begins Jan. 1, 2023, and ends March 31, 2023. There are 12 Prizes, each consisting of a $250 Visa gift card. Odds of winning a Prize depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Contest Period. To win, a potential winner must correctly answer a skill-testing question and sign a declaration and release form. Contest is open to Alberta residents over the age of majority, and subject to the full contest rules available online at calgary.ca/gopaperless. 

Calgary winters are safer when everyone pitches in to clear snow and ice

While our crews are clearing roads, designated pathways and overpasses, residents and business owners are reminded to remove snow and ice from their property’s adjacent sidewalk within 24 hours of snowfall ending.

The fine for not removing snow/ice from a sidewalk/pathway is $250, with an escalating scale for subsequent convictions to the same property owner/occupant over a 12-month period.

Uncleared sidewalks can be reported to 311. Make sure to include the address or specific location details. A photo can be included with the 311 app.

When a complaint is sent to 311, a Community Peace Officer issues a Snow and Ice Removal Notice, which gives the owner/occupant of a parcel 24 hours to clear the sidewalk. If after 24 hours the sidewalk has not been cleared, the file is then sent to a contractor to clear the sidewalk at the owner’s expense.

Consider being a Snow Angel and clear the sidewalk of a neighbour who could use your help.

Learn more at calgary.ca/snowfines.

Sign-up for The City’s monthly property tax payment plan TIPP

The City’s Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP) is the most popular payment method. You pay the same amount as your annual property tax levy, but instead of one large lump sum payment in June, you pay smaller monthly instalments. This makes budgeting easier, and you reduce the risk of late payment penalties. 

Joining TIPP in January ensures your monthly payments are spread throughout the year. Signing up for TIPP is easy. There is no charge to join, and you don’t need to re-apply each year. 

To request your TIPP agreement, go to calgary.ca/TIPP or call 311. 

If you’re already on TIPP, you can visit calgary.ca/TIPP to learn how your monthly TIPP instalments are calculated and adjusted.

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Snow and Ice Road Conditions: Online Map Shows Calgary’s Road Conditions

Winter is in full force, which means a potential for snowfall in the city. The Snow and Ice Road Conditions map shows the process of snow clearing operations, locations of snowplows, priority routes and visuals of road conditions from traffic camera images. This map is found at https://maps.calgary.ca/RoadConditions/. 

To view more City of Calgary maps, please visit the Map Gallery at https://mapgallery.calgary.ca/.

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Submit a nomination for the 29th Annual Calgary Awards by Feb. 1

Incredible happens here. The Calgary Awards celebrate outstanding individuals and organizations whose exceptional achievements and contributions make life better for Calgarians.

Award categories include:

• The Community Achievement Awards:
  • Grant MacEwan Lifetime Achievement
  • Calgarian of the Year (previously Citizen of the Year)
  • Arts
  • Community Advocate – Individual
  • Community Advocate – Organization
  • Commerce – under review
  • Education
  • Heritage
  • Youth
• The Award for Accessibility
• The Environmental Achievement Award

• The International Achievement Award

Look to your neighbours, colleagues, community leaders, local groups and companies who qualify for a Calgary Award. The nomination process is easy – follow the steps outlined at calgary.ca/calgaryawards and submit a nomination by Feb. 1.

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Feel free to contact me any time. The best way to contact me is by visiting calgary.ca/contactward14 or calling (403) 268-1653.

-Councillor Peter Demong