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Where can I purchase a dog tag?

City Hall

How often do I purchase a dog tag?

Once a year by January 31.

What is the fee for a dog tag?

Before the end of January the fee is $20.00 if fixed and $40.00 if not fixed, per dog.
After the end of January the fee is $30.00 if fixed and $50.00 if not fixed, per dog.

Do we classify certain dogs as dangerous or vicious

While the Animal Control By-Law does not classify any specific breeds as dangerous or vicious, any dog could be deemed dangerous based on actions/behavior of the dog.

How do I contact the animal control officer?

Our By-Law Enforcement Officer can be reached by a number of different methods. Please see our Bylaw Enforcement page for contact information.

What are City Hall's Office Hours?

City Hall is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Who do I call if I have a problem with a dog running at large or barking excessively after City Hall Office Hours or on weekends?

The Camrose Police Service can enforce City of Camrose bylaws and they can be contacted at 672-4444.

What should I do if my dog gets lost?

• Look around the neighborhood.
• Talk to your neighbors and ask if they have seen your dog.
• Contact the City of Camrose By-Law Enforcement Officer. Please have a description of the dog and dog license number when you call.
• Contact the City of Camrose Pound and Animal Rescue Centre.
• If after hours, call the Camrose City Police at 672-4444.
• Place notices, preferably with a picture of your dog at our Community Poster Board in Rudy Swanson Park (east of the Community Centre).
• Check the lost and found classified advertisements in local newspapers.
• Place your own advertisements in the lost and found sections of local newspapers.

What should I do if I find a dog with a license tag?

Please call the City of Camrose By-Law Enforcement Officer.

What are the steps to obtain my dog from the pound?

• You must attend City Hall and purchase a dog license if you do not have one.
• You must attend City Hall and pay pound fees to cover the cost of taking care of your dog.
• You may receive a ticket for the dog running at large and will have 7 days from the date of the ticket to pay the fine (not including weekends).
• A release form will be provided to you which will allow you to obtain your dog from the Camrose Animal Clinic (operating the pound facility by contract with the City of Camrose). Please note that at this time there may be additional fees charged by the clinic.
• Please Note: As stated in the Animal Control By-Law, “Any dog, which has been placed in a pound, shall be kept therein for a period of not less than three clear days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays unless claimed prior by the owner or otherwise disposed of in accordance with this By-Law.”

Will I be charged for pound fees over the weekend?

No, pound fees will not be charged over the weekends.

What is the contact information for the City of Camrose Pound and Animal Rescue Centre?

A program of Camrose Animal Clinic, 3843A – 44 Avenue, Camrose, AB, T4V 3T1, Phone: (780) 672-7800, Fax: (780) 672-7802 – Check out these featured Adoption Stories.

Who can I contact if I have any additional questions?

The City of Camrose By-Law Enforcement Officer, please see our Bylaw Enforcement page for contact information.

YOUR ASSESSMENT AND TAX NOTICE

For information about your Assessment and Tax Notice for the current year, please see the Financial Services page.

WHAT IS AN ASSESSMENT?

An Assessment is the process of placing a dollar value on properties for taxation purposes. The value of the assessment influences the amount of taxes that will be charged to the owner of the property.<sup>1

1</sup> Alberta Municipal Affairs, Guide to Property Assessment and Taxation in Alberta , page 39

WHAT IS ASSESSMENT BASED ON?

In Alberta real property assessment is based on a market-value-based standard.

WHAT IS MARKET VALUE?

The market-value-based standard is used to determine the assessed values for the majority of properties in Alberta. Market value is the price a property might reasonably be expected to sell for if sold by a knowledgeable, willing seller to a willing buyer after appropriate time and exposure in an open market.

Key characteristics of market value are:

• It is the most probable price, not the highest, lowest, or average price.
• It is expressed in terms of a dollar value.
• It assumes a transaction between unrelated parties in the open market.
• It assumes a willing buyer and a willing seller, with no advantage being taken by either party.
• It recognizes the present use and potential use of the property.²

² Alberta Municipal Affairs, Guide to Property Assessment and Taxation in Alberta, page 9

HOW IS MARKET VALUE DETERMINED?

Assessors collect vital information on all properties within their jurisdiction; property attributes i.e. size, age, quality and location are factors that are used to predict value of residential property. Sales prices are gathered from the market place, verified and adjusted to create various market models that are then applied to individual properties. The assessor uses three standardized approaches to value for estimating market value based assessment:

Each approach will be used for different purposes, i.e. sales comparison approach and cost approach for residential and income approach for income producing commercial properties. As required by provincial legislation the assessor is required to valuate properties using mass appraisal techniques. Mass appraisal is a process of valuing groups of properties at a given date, using common data, mathematical models and statistical testing.

HOW DO I DETERMINE IF MY ASSESSMENT IS CORRECT?

Compare your assessed value to the sales of similar properties within your neighborhood. Talk with a realtor, appraiser or other professionals that can provide you with an estimate of property values in your area. Check listings of properties to become familiar with property values in you neighborhood.

Contact the Assessment Department at 678-3028 to make an appointment with the assessor and ask for an explanation of how the assessment was calculated. Review the assessment record to see if the description of the property is correct and discuss any problems with the property such as construction deficiencies or condition of building. If an error is noticed the assessor will make an inspection of your property and mail out a corrected notice.

IF I DON'T AGREE WITH MY ASSESSMENT, WHAT CAN I DO?

If you are concerned about your assessment and after discussing with the assessor it is your opinion that the assessment is incorrect you may file a complaint against the assessment to the Assessment Review Board ARB. You must file your complaint by the deadline as shown on your assessment notice. A filing fee must accompany your complaint in order to be a valid complaint.

If you disagree with the decision of an ARB, you may file an appeal of that decision with the Municipal Government Board.³

³ Alberta Municipal Affairs Preparing for Your Assessment Complaint or Appeal Hearing, page 4

ASSESSMENT COMPLAINTS

Pursuant to Section 460 of the Municipal Government Act, you may file a complaint against your assessment to:

The Assessment Review Board
c/o Manager of Corporate and Protective Services, Assessment Review Board
5204 - 50 Avenue
Camrose, AB T4V 0S8
Fax: (780) 672-2469
E-mail: Administration

It is important to note that your complaint must:

• Be in writing
• Be made on or before June 25th, 2007
• Explain why the complainant thinks information shown on the assessment notice is incorrect.
• Include the mailing address of the complainant for delivery of a notice of Assessment Review Board Hearing.
• Include a complaint fee of: $20.00 (Residential) $75.00 (Non-Residential)

The Assessment Review Board has the authority to receive evidence, arguments and make decisions in respect to the assessment. The Assessment Review Board has no jurisdiction on matters about any tax rate, policy or procedure of the City.

PROPERTY TAX FOR CURRENT YEAR

For information about your property tax for the current year, please see the Financial Services page.

WHERE YOUR MUNICIPAL TAX DOLLARS WILL GO IN THE CURRENT YEAR?

For information about where your Municipal Tax dollars will go for the current year, please see the Financial Services page.

WHAT PUBLICATIONS ARE AVALIABLE THAT I CAN REFERENCE?

• Is your Property Assessment Fair & Accurate?
• Guide to Property Assessment & Taxation in Alberta
• Preparing for your Assessment Complaint or Appeal Hearing