KANATA NORTH NEWS Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North NEW PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT NOTICES

This week you should have received your revised property assessment from MPAC, the provincially regulated agency that calculates the value of your property for taxation purposes. The value given is for January 2008. The last evaluation, done in 2005, was used to calculate property taxes in 2006, 2007 and 2008. This notice shows the change in your property value over the past three years. It will be used to calculate taxes for the next four years. Something new is that those with an increased assessment will have that increase phased in over 4 years with 25% of the increase added each year. Your notice gives the amount for each year from 2009 to 2012. If you have a decrease the total decrease will be applied each year. How can you tell what impact the new assessment will have on your property taxes? Based on a preliminary review the average increase in assessments over the entire City of Ottawa is 15.74%. The average increase in Kanata North is 14.06%. This means that there will be a reduction of taxes paid in Kanata North compared to other parts of the City. Your actual impact will depend upon your specific assessed value. It is important to check the value that MPAC has assigned to your property. MPAC analyses real estate values from similar properties in your area to come up with a value. For the first time you will be able go to the MPAC website (mpac.ca) to get specific information about your property and on similar properties in your area. Instructions are under the Property Owners tab. If you feel the value is incorrect you can ask MPAC to have another look by a Request for Reconsideration. Details of a formal appeal if you are still unsatisfied after the reconsideration are explained on the form. Another change is that once you have successfully changed your assessed value that new value will be used for subsequent years. Formerly MPAC returned to the original assessed value each year. If you have a concern about your assessment notice you can contact MPAC at 1866-296-6722. For questions on the assessment system contact your Provincial MPP. The City has no control on your assessed value so staff cannot answer assessment questions. The City must use the assessed value for 2009 to levy your 2009 property taxes so contact the City or myself if you have questions on tax rates. These will be calculated in early spring once all budgets are completed.

A TOWN CENTRE VISION

Save Nov. 12 and plan to provide your views on how we should develop a Main Street for Kanata. More details to come next week.

EDINE ILLUNGA
I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of eight-year-old Edine Illunga from Morgans Grant at the Kanata Wave Pool. She was a beautiful girl much loved by her family and friends. I have expressed my deepest sympathy to her family and am keeping them in my prayers.

CHINA
Im in China until Nov. 5, working on creating economic development opportunities for Ottawa. My staff will be pleased to assist you during my absence.

COMING EVENTS:
Oct 31 7-9 pm, Ghost walk Pinheys Point $10, Register 613-247-4830 x 226 Nov 7 1:30 pm, Discuss the 2009 budget at the Mlacak Centre Nov 10 6-9 pm, Meeting and discussion of 2009 City Budget, Mlacak Centre Nov 12 7-9 pm, Visioning Exercise to set the design for Kanatas Main Street, Mlacak Centre Nov 24 7-9 pm, Ward Council, Kanata Seniors Centre

Serving the residents and businesses in Kanata North

To receive the Kanata North Newsletter, to deal with a concern or make a suggestion contact me at 613-580-2474, email Marianne.Wilkinson@ottawa.ca or through www.mariannewilkinson.com.