After receiving numerous inquiries from residents on increases to property assessments, staff say the best course of action is to reach out to the city's taxation department at 403-529-8111.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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City staff and councillors say they are receiving more feedback and questions from residents surrounding increases on their 2026 property tax assessment, mailed out at the end of February.
Finance director Lola Barta told members of the Corporate Services Committee the average residential home in Medicine Hat increased $25,000 in market evaluation as of July 2025 compared to the previous year.
This equates to an increase from $334,000 in July 2024 to approximately $360,00 last summer, however Barta says these numbers do not represent the current market.
“So at that point in time, depending on where the market is at, where their evaluation would have been assessed at,” said Barta. “So that doesn’t represent what’s happening today. It could be worse or better compared to that point.”
Factors contributing to assessments increasing on average between five and 10 per cent include neighbour sales, strong demand and improved market trends.
Coun. Chris Hellman asked staff during the Thursday morning meeting for the most effective method for residents to inquire about assessments and receive more data regarding the market last summer.
“Maybe a $24,000 jump this year is a big deal to somebody looking at that,” said Hellman. “That doesn’t necessarily mean that their taxes are going to increase incredibly, but that might sound some alarms.”
Barta says residents should call the city’s taxation department at 403-529-8111, and speak with staff members to help with concerns or complaints.
“I recommend they call in and do that. We’re happy to help and provide that information to residents,” said Barta.
The deadline to make assessment complaints is May 6, and property taxes are due June 30.
Tax Penalties Bylaw
City staff are recommending council approve a small increase to future penalties for unpaid taxes, beginning in 2027.
The proposed changes would increase tax penalty rates from 15 to 15.5 per cent in 2027, and to16 per cent in 2028.
Penalties are issued to ratepayers who fail to pay property taxes by June 30, and are added on the first business day of every month based on the outstanding balance from the previous month.
The city says penalties for unpaid taxes have been established by using market rates from seven mid-sized cities, including Lethbridge, Grande Prairie and Red Deer.
If residents are having difficulties paying taxes they can elect to pay half their current taxes by the due date and pay off the remainder of the balance over a period of instalments.
If residents are unable to pay off their taxes within a maximum of two years, their property will go up for sale at auction Mar. 31, according to the Municipal Government Act.
At the beginning of 2026 nine properties and eight manufactured homes were set for auction, however staff have arranged with property owners to make payments to avoid auction.
Currently, only two properties and four manufactured homes are slated for auction at the end of the month, however staff say they will continue to work with property owners up until the tax auction date.
IPSOS survey
City staff say a representative from IPSOS, which recently finished a community survey, will likely be on hand in April to present councillors with findings.
Committee members were told that a representative will share a presentation with council feedback from a sample size of residents on services and amenities, as well as recommended improvement.
The survey asked 400 residents to evaluate satisfaction with specific municipal services.
Feedback is designed to reflect the broader population using a small, randomly selected sample.
Results are weighted to reflect age, neighbourhood and other demographics, and are benchmarked against other municipalities, and performance is monitored over time.
Staff expect the presentation from IPSOS at the upcoming Apr. 20 council meeting.
