A Moment with the Mayor: Understanding your Property Assessment

Your Property Assessment Notice should have arrived in your mailbox. This annual notice, printed on blue paper, is a legislated process that the City of Lloydminster is required to carry out.

Each year, property owners receive a Notice of Assessment from the City of Lloydminster. This document has been a topic of discussion for some time, and since being elected as Mayor, I have had many conversations about it with residents.

The assessment process in use today has origins in historical tax systems, where an individual's wealth determined their tax obligations. Some people lived in modest homes, while others resided in larger estates or extravagant residences. Taxes were generally assessed based on the size and value of one’s property.

In 2020, the City of Lloydminster transitioned from using an external contractor for assessments to an internal service. This change was made to increase transparency, provide flexibility, and improve accessibility for residents. Now, our assessors are city employees, making the service more responsive. They are readily available to answer questions and provide clarification as needed.

Understanding the Assessment Process
The property assessment process follows several key steps:

1. Notice of Assessment: This is mailed out to all property owners.
2. Assessment Open House: This is an opportunity for property owners to discuss
   their assessments. This year’s open house will occur at City Hall on Wednesday, March 5, in Council Chambers. To book an appointment, please call 780-875-6184 ext. 2147.
3. Assessment Appeal Process: If, after meeting with the assessment team, you wish to challenge your property’s assessed value, you have until April 22, 2025, to file an assessment complaint.

This annual property assessment process provides City Council with the information needed to set the mill rate, determining how much revenue is required to fund city services for the 2025 fiscal year. This decision is typically made in May, and once the mill rate is set, new tax notices will be sent to property owners in early June.

All property owners are encouraged to review their Notice of Assessment carefully and contact the City of Lloydminster team with any questions.

For more information, visit Lloydminster.ca/Assessments. You can also call 780-875-6184 ext. 2147 or email assessments@lloydminster.ca to speak directly with the Assessment and Taxation team.

Mayor Gerald S. Aalbers
City of Lloydminster