Lacombe County council turned down three requests for tax relief from property owners, two of which appeared to be linked to difficulties with the postal system. The decisions were made by vote at the Nov. 13 regular meeting of council.

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Tim Timmons presented to councillors as part of their agenda two emails and one letter from property owners who requested parts of their outstanding property tax bills be in effect waived.

Timmons stated earlier in the meeting Lacombe County council receives requests such as these every year and the council traditionally refuses them unless county mistakes contributed to the property owner’s late payment in some way.

Readers should note the Municipal Government Act (MGA) grants elected councillors the authority to waive any and all parts of a property tax bill, including penalties while suggesting such acts should be “equitable.”

The first request came in the form of an email from what appeared to be a relatively new property owner in the municipality, tax roll number 4128102019; this property owner noted their taxes were not paid in full by deadline and a subsequent penalty was attached. “This (tax) notice outlined that our property was in arrears for $3,339.73,” noted the email whose identification was removed and was dated Oct. 27. It was noted a six per cent late penalty was applied on Sept. 1 which amounted to $189.04.

“The notice is for a property that we purchased Mar. 18, 2025. At that time we were under the impression that our lawyer had taken care of all of the taxes for 2025. Considering these circumstances we hope that you can waive the six per cent late penalty that was levied Sept. 1.” A motion to grant the request was unanimously defeated by councillors.

The second request from owners of tax rolls 3825044002 and 3825091001 who claimed they mailed their tax payment to Lacombe County months ago but it apparently never showed up. “I sent my cheques for taxes back in May,” stated the email which had identities removed and was dated Oct. 22. “Apparently you did not receive. In Oct. I received a letter and was charged six per cent late fee. I would like that money back please. I cancelled cheque at (the bank) Oct. 22 if you need proof. Thank you. P.S. I would have appreciated a phone call or letter before I was charged the six per cent.”

A motion to grant the request was defeated by council vote.

The third request came in the form of a letter from owner of tax roll 4025161002 which had identification removed and was dated Oct. 27. “I am writing to respectfully explain the reason for our late payment of property taxes this year and to kindly request consideration for the reversal of the late payment penalty.

“...this year we unfortunately did not receive any mail or email notification regarding the amount due or the payment details. Because of that, we were unaware of the due date and, admittedly, the busy season on our end caused us to overlook the payment schedule.”

The property owners noted they spoke to county staff who reminded them the tax deadline in Lacombe County is always the end of Aug. The writers asked that based on their good track record of prompt payments the county refund their late penalty of $108.31 which they already paid.

A motion to grant tax relief as requested was defeated by a vote of council.