Council Passes Measures to Support Property Owners and Small Businesses in 2025 Athabasca County Council has passed two new bylaws—Bylaw 017-2025 and Bylaw 018-2025—designed to offer targeted tax relief for residents and small business owners affected by property assessment changes in 2025. Extended Tax Payment Deadline With the adoption of Bylaw 017-2025, the County has deferred the 2025 property tax payment deadline for some properties from July 31 to October 31, 2025, effectively cancellinga4% penalty that would have been imposed on overdue payments starting August 1. The 2025 property tax payment deadline applies to the following property classes: • Residential • Residential Grant in Lieu • Farmland • Farmland Grant in Lieu • Non-Residential – Small Business • Non-Residential • Non-Residential Grant in Lieu This change aims to ease the financial burden on property owners whose assessments increased due to newly evaluated developments and changes to former farmland assessments. Designated Industrial Properties, which are assessed by the Government of Alberta, are not included in the payment deadline extension. The 8% late penalty will still apply for unpaid taxes as of November 1, 2025. The amendment does not alter the legislated timeline for assessment complaints, which must still be filed by the deadline indicated on the tax notice. The deadline to appeal your assessment remains the same. July 21, 2025 is the last date to file a complaint regarding your 2024 Property Assessment as shown on your 2025 Combined Assessment & Property Tax Notice Extended Small Business Declaration Period Council also passed Bylaw 018-2025, extending the application period for the Small Business Property Sub-Class for the 2025 tax year. Non-residential property owners now have until August 11, 2025, to submit their small business declaration—an extension of 60 days from when the bylaw was passed. The original deadline was January 31, 2025. This provision allows eligible small businesses to benefit from a 25% reduction in the mill rate applied to non-residential properties, as introduced under Bylaw 012-2023. In 2024, only four small businesses were classified under this tax category; that number grew to 58 in 2025, and the County hopes this extension will allow even more small businesses to take advantage of the program. “These changes are a direct response to the feedback we’ve received from residents and business owners,” said Athabasca County Reeve Tracy Holland. “Council recognizes the importance of providing effective support during times of change, and these bylaws reflect our commitment to ensuring fairness and flexibility in local taxation.” For more information on these bylaw changes or to apply for the Small Business Property Sub-Class, visit www.athabascacounty.com/government/assessment-taxes/ or contact the County Office at (780) 675-2273. Public Hearing for Bylaw 010-2025 (Animal Control) on June 26th, 2025 In accordance with the requirements of Section 606 of the Municipal Government Act, as amended, the Council of Athabasca County has scheduled a Public Hearing for June 26, 2025, starting at 9:30 a.m. THE PUBLIC HEARING IS BEING HELD TO ALLOW PUBLIC INPUT ON THE FOLLOWING BYLAW: Bylaw 010-2025 – The proposed bylaw amends the Animal Control Bylaw Anyone wishing to address Council in person or remotely via Zoom (please specify in the written statement) on these matters may provide a written statement by 12:00 noon, June 25th, 2025, by forwarding it to: Athabasca County 3602 – 48th Avenue, Athabasca, AB T9S 1J8 Phone: (780) 675-2273 | Toll Free 1-844-662-2273 [email protected] The draft bylaw can be read at www.athabascacounty.com Development Permit Approvals for Week of June 11th, 2025 Discretionary Use D25-092 50’ x 120’ (26’ high) accessory building with a 2’ height variance (new), two 40’ x 8’ (9’ high) sea cans, 40’ x 8’ (8’ high) sea can, 20’ x 8’ (8’ high) sea can, 28’x28’ (22’ high) pole/fire pit shelter–all as-built P8222206; B1; L6 within SW 30-65-18-W4M (Div. 3) Decision Date: June 10, 2025 Anyone claiming to be affected by the approval may submit an appeal within 21 days from the date of the decision. The appeal must be in writing and in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. Please contact our office for further information on the appropriate appeal body. For more information contact: Planning & Development Department 780-675-2273 | 1-844-662-2273 | [email protected]
