How are Lethbridge Property Owners Affected by the Provincial Governments Downloading of Costs? (Part 1)

Lethbridge homeowners may be facing an unexpected future tax hike. Cancellation of provincial grants linked to social housing will cost Lethbridge residents over $870,000 unless Alberta’s recently elected NDP government decide to reverse this shortfall. The Alberta government’s decision to download those costs on to city taxpayers came at the same time they cancelled increased funding to school boards in the province, including Lethbridge, despite increased student enrolments. The speaker will outline the many tax incentives provided to large industrial property owners that are hidden in the Province’s regulated assessment process and explain how this affects you as a taxpayer. Speaker: Stan Dilworth Stan Dilworth is currently the Manager of the Assessment and Taxation Department for the City of Lethbridge. He moved to Lethbridge in 2009 from Edmonton, his home for 35 years. He is responsible for the annual valuation of the City’s assessment base of 13.8 billion dollars and collection of the 2015 tax roll of $156.5 million. Stan has worked in the assessment field for over 30 years serving as City Assessor for Lethbridge, Edmonton and Camrose. Stan has been a member of two Alberta Urban Municipalities’ Association Task Forces on assessment and taxation issues. These task forces formulated over 50 recommendations that became the template adopted by the Province for their review of the Municipal Government Act. Stan has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, received his assessment training through the University of Alberta extension program and holds the Accredited Municipal Assessor of Alberta professional designation with the Alberta Assessors’ Association. Moderator: Knud Petersen Date: Thursday, June 4, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)