Town of Kindersley council abates property with two minimum tax bills

By Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Your West Central Voice

The Town of Kindersley council addressed an issue for some properties in the municipality that have two minimum tax bills. The resolution to abate taxes was passed at the May 11 regular meeting of council.

Councillors read a staff memo that explained how some properties that have dual-zoning may end up with two tax bills. “Some properties in the Town of Kindersley are subject to both residential and commercial minimum tax,” stated the staff memo.

“Previously, our minimum tax bylaw included a provision stating that if a property fell under both categories, only the commercial minimum tax would apply, while the residential portion would be assessed based on its actual value.

“Municipal Services informed us that this clause is no longer permissible in the bylaw. Consequently, these properties will now require an abatement to address the issue of being charged double minimum tax.”

Such properties could be, for example, retail businesses that happen to have apartments located on their second floor.

Readers should note that many municipalities now employ a “minimum property tax” bill; that is, if a property’s assessed value falls beneath a certain point, that property’s tax bill cannot fall below the minimum municipal value. The reasoning behind such bylaws is that municipal services such as paved and gravel roads, sewer service and policing require a certain amount of revenue to provide to the public and the minimum tax rate ensures all properties, regardless of assessment, are contributing equally for the services they receive.

Staff advised councillors this issue was already accounted for in the budgeting process. “The abated municipal portion of the taxes would come from the budgeted amount for abatement of taxes,” noted the staff memo.

After hearing the staff presentations councillors didn’t debate the issue and were ready to vote.

They unanimously passed a resolution that council of the Town of Kindersley hereby authorize administration to abate the 2026 municipal taxes in the total amount of $16,998.84, as per the attached schedule B for properties assessed with two minimum taxes.