January 2021 Newsletter

Happy New Year Ward 14!

It is a new trip around the sun, a new calendar on the wall, and a much-needed chance to reset and refocus. I hope I can help you in the New Year with a few notes in this column.

2021 Property Assessments

The City of Calgary assesses more than 500,000 properties in Calgary every year in compliance with the Municipal Government Act and regulations set by the Government of Alberta and mails property assessment notices. On January 14^th your 2021 property assessment notice will be mailed, and the 2021 Customer Review Period will begin.

Your 2021 property assessment value will be used to calculate your share of taxes. That value is based on the real estate market on July 1, 2020 and the physical condition of the property on December 31, 2020. Be sure to review your assessment notice for inaccuracies when you receive it, because it may save you some money.

Here is how you can help you complete a self-review:

1. Review your notice for factual errors and contact the City if you find any.
2. Log on to your secure Assessment Search account (calgary.ca/assessmentsearch). While logged on you can review your property’s details, compare your property’s assessed value with similar properties in your area to ensure fairness, and review real estate market trends.
3. Understand your tax implication. The City offers a preliminary property tax calculator to help property owners estimate their upcoming taxes. Please visit calgary.ca/taxcalculator. 

You can contact the City during the Customer Review Period and one of our property assessment experts will help you. Call 403.268.2888 or visit calgary.ca/assessment.

Stay safe and warm this winter!

The Fire department has a message for you this year. Home-heating fires can be devastating, but fortunately, most are preventable, just by taking some simple precautions and making sure you’re using your home heating equipment properly.

Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home. Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home so that when one sounds, they all sound. Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

• Be sure your home has both photoelectric and ionization smoke alarms or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms, also known as dual sensor smoke alarms.
• Practice your home fire escape drill.
• Have your chimney inspected each year by a qualified professional and cleaned if necessary.
• Use a sturdy fireplace screen.
• Allow ashes to cool before disposing. Dispose of ashes in a metal container.
• Space heaters need space. Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
• Turn portable heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
• Plug power cords only into outlets with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord.
• Inspect for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections. Replace before using.
• Install and maintain a carbon monoxide alarm outside each separate sleeping area, on every level of the home, and other locations as required by laws, codes or standards.
• Never use an oven to heat your home.

For more fire safety tips visit: calgary.ca/fire.

Supporting businesses through Green Line Development

If you are involved in a business that could be impacted by Green Line construction, take note: The City is looking for your input. Visit www.engage.calgary.ca/greenline/business-support to learn more about the Business Support Program and to provide your input.

Calgary Awards nominations open January 6

In an extraordinary year, extraordinary Calgarians made a difference. Through their exceptional achievements and contributions, many Calgarians made life better. This is your opportunity to recognize deserving individuals, businesses and organizations who have improved the quality of life in our community.

The Calgary Awards celebrate exceptional achievements and contributions made by Calgarians. Look to your neighbours, colleagues, community leaders, local groups and companies who could qualify as award recipients.

These are the thirteen awards:

• The Community Achievement Awards:
  • Grant MacEwan Lifetime Achievement
  • Citizen of the Year
  • Arts
  • Commerce
  • Community Advocate - Individual
  • Community Advocate - Organization
  • Education
  • Heritage
  • Youth
• The Environmental Achievement Award
• The International Achievement Award
• The Award for Accessibility
• The City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize

The deadline to submit is Wednesday, February 10. For more information on each award category, eligibility criteria, how to nominate someone, and previous award recipients, visit calgary.ca/calgaryawards.

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I hope you have found this informative. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at www.calgary.ca/contactward14 if you have questions or comments.

Sincerely,

-Councillor Peter Demong