TASHI FARMILO
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE
ALLEYN-ET-CAWOOD – The recent property evaluation crisis in Alleyn-et- Cawood has led to the creation of a dedicated task force to address citizen concerns. The task force has 20 members including elected officials, municipal employees, and ratepayers. Its primary goal is to ensure transparency and community involvement in the re-evaluation process and to seek revision of the comparative factor used in assessments.
The initial shock came when property owners received notices with their 2024 tax bills indicating a significant increase in property values due to a surge in local development that caused a gap between current property evaluations and actual sale prices. Property values are set to increase by as much as 370% in 2025, sparking fears of financial strain, particularly among those on fixed incomes. Isabelle Cardinal, municipal director general, noted some lots are selling for significantly higher than their assessed values, necessitating a comparative factor of 3.7. However, these new evaluations will only take effect in the 2025-2026-2027 triennial roll.
Tim Ferrigan, MRC Pontiac director of property assessment, emphasised the values for 2025 haven’t yet been determined, and the municipality will adjust the taxation rate to mitigate the impact on residents.
The task force aims to address the community’s concerns directly. Maggie Eardly, a Cawood resident and task force member, highlighted the urgency of revising the 3.7% increase, which she described as “outrageous” and potentially leading to residents losing their homes. Eardly pointed out the evaluation spike is based on property sales during the pandemic when the market was unusually high.
The task force’s communication plan, spearheaded by member Julie Vaux, keeps residents informed and involved. They’re planning a town hall meeting on June 22 to present their action plan and gather further community input.
Cardinal emphasised the importance of clear communication to prevent misinformation. “It’s essential to set the record straight. The municipality will adjust the mill rate to prevent a steep rise in taxes, ensuring residents aren’t unduly burdened. We’re committed to transparency and accuracy and urge residents to stay informed through our official channels,” she said.
At the first task force meeting on May 20, several discussions and decisions took place. Angela Giroux was elected chair and will lead the task force. Detailed explanations were provided about the complex triennial roll process, including the rationale behind the current comparative factor of 3.7.
The task force also discussed discrepancies between recent property sales and the new evaluations. This led to a consensus that the comparative factor should be revised to reflect more recent and realistic market conditions. The task force also plans to file a petition to gather broader support, aiming to bring the issue to the attention of higher authorities and the public at large.
Cardinal reiterated that the municipality is fighting to ensure fair and realistic property evaluations. “We want to remove the panic and fear misinformation can cause,” she said. “Our priority is to keep our community well-informed and to correct inaccuracies promptly. This task force is a vital part of that effort,” she concluded.