Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Town of Peace River is actively recruiting new individuals to sit on a Regional Assessment Review Board (RARB) to help address matters relating to assessment complaints.
Peace River director of corporate services Sam Mugford says the review board is a quasi-judicial board that adjudicates assessment complaints in a court-like setting within the authority of the Municipal Government Act.
“An advantage of having a regional assessment review board is that there is a larger pool of members trained to be called from to hear complaints,” says Mugford.
The panel will be comprised of one or more board members who will hear assessment complaints and make decisions based on evidence presented by the individual.
The board will hear and deal with complaints about property assessments in Peace River, Northern Sunrise County, Clear Hills County, Village of Hines Creek, and Village of Nampa.
“Bylaw 2075 was signed in July of 2020, and it established the regional assessment review board,” says Mugford about when the board was created.
“All property assessments are prepared annually, and it is recommended that property owners first contact the assessor if they believe their assessment is unfair or inaccurate. If the assessor and the property owner cannot come to an agreement, the property owner may begin the formal complaint process.”
Mugford says the process is the mechanism for property owners to have a third party hear their complaint and make a ruling. He explains the Town of Peace River is required to appoint two members to the board.
“As a member of the board, you would be called to participate in a hearing, depending on your availability,” he explains.
“Members are appointed for a three-year term and may apply for reappointment following expiry of their term.”
Ideal candidates will possess a background in property assessment, real estate, legal or valuation, have professional or legal writing abilities, be a critical thinker, be willing to debate, and have experience serving on administrative boards or quasi-judicial boards.
“In accordance with the MGA and regulations, new member training must be successfully completed,” explains Mugford.
“Training is hosted by the Alberta Land and Property Rights Tribunal (LPRT) over three days and is typically conducted online.”
Mugford says all expenses during training, inclusive of compensation for time, will be paid for by the Town of Peace River. In addition to the mandated training requirements, selected members may also receive training workshops or other development through their term.
“The board will typically meet annually,” says Mugford. “Depending on the number of unresolved appeals, the hearings could be completed over a few hours or several days.”
Mugford says if you are a fair, unbiased individual, who is willing to consider facts and disclosures provided before reaching a decision, you may be the perfect fit for the board.
“Each member municipality is responsible for having members available to participate,” he says.
“At a minimum, individuals trained, but having an additional member or two is beneficial to assist with ease of scheduling.”
Mugford says they are looking for two to four individuals to fill the responsibilities of the board.
“(Sitting on this board) is an opportunity to learn more about the property assessment process, receive training, and participate in municipal government,” he concludes.