Area residential property taxes highest in St. Albert

The June 30 deadline for paying property taxes is looming, and once again the amount owed by residents across the capital region varies widely.

Taxes are highest in St. Albert, where a relatively small industrial tax base means homeowners carry more of the burden, according to an informal Journal survey of 11 municipalities in the area.

Leduc County wins the contest for lowest residential property taxes on a typical single-family house.

However, these figures must be viewed cautiously; the way officials determine the “typical” home value varies.

Some calculate an average based on property assessments, while others do a back-of-the-envelope estimate for illustration purposes.

Counties may also offer different levels of service than in cities, such as fewer paved roads or storm sewers.

The City of Edmonton surveyed regional and national property taxes and utility costs for single detached houses for many years.

The last report in 2010 showed Edmonton’s combined charge of $4,728 was the sixth highest of nine local municipalities that took part.

Most expensive was St. Albert, at $5,987, while Fort Saskatchewan’s combined expense of $3,921 was lowest.

ST. AL B E RT

Typical house value: $425,000 Total property taxes: $4,293 Increase from 2014: $74 (1.8 per cent) Municipal utilities provided: Water, sewage, storm sewers, garbage, recycling. Average monthly cost: $150.34 Increase from 2014: $24.66 (19.6 per cent, mainly for new charges to cover infrastructure repair and replacement).

PARKLAND COUNTY

Typical house value: $485,424 Total property taxes: $3,004 Increase from 2014: $83 (2.8 per cent) Municipal utilities provided: Limited water and sewer. Typical monthly cost: Most residents have their own water and septic systems, so don’t use county utilities.

STONY PLAIN

Typical house value: $388,466 Total property taxes: $3,042 Increase from 2014: $10 (0.03 per cent) Municipal utilities provided: Water, sewage, storm sewers, garbage, recycling Typical monthly cost: $115.84 Increase from 2014: $7.46 (6.9 per cent)

S P RUCE GROVE

Typical house value: $339,350 Total property taxes: $2,615 Increase from 2014: $87 (3.4 per cent) Municipal utilities provided: Water, sewage, garbage, recycling Typical monthly cost: $111.43 Increase from 2014: $6.39 (6.1 per cent)

STURGEON COUNTY

Typical house value: $427,540 Total property taxes: $2,692 Increase from 2014: $109 (4.2 per cent) Municipal utilities provided: Water and sewage, not available to all homes. Typical monthly cost: About $130 Increase from 2014: About $14 (or 12 per cent).

EDMONTON

Typical house value: $401,000 Total property taxes: $3,108 Increase from 2014: $63 (2.1 per cent) Municipal utilities provided: Water (through Epcor), sewage, storm sewers, garbage, recycling Typical monthly cost: $126.13 Increase from 2014: $6.38 (5.3 per cent)

FORT SASKATCHEWAN

Typical house value: $400,000 Total property taxes: $2,899 Increase from 2014: Unavailable Municipal utilities provided: Water, sewers, garbage, recycling. Average monthly cost: $85-$90 Increase from 2014: $6 (about seven per cent).

STRATHCONA COUNTY

Typical house value: $439,000 Total property taxes: $3,037 Increase from 2014: $73 (2.5 per cent) Municipal utilities provided: Water, sewage, storm sewer, garbage, recycling Average monthly cost: $123.42 Increase from 2014: $3.89 (3.5 per cent)

BEAUMONT

Typical house value: $436,900 Total property taxes: $3,712 Increase from 2014: $205 (5.8 per cent) Municipal utilities provided: Water, sewage, garbage, recycling Typical monthly cost: $100 Change from 2014: Zero.

CITY OF LEDUC

Typical house value: $355,000 Total property taxes: $3,086 Increase from 2014: $92 (three per cent) Municipal utilities provided: Water, sewage, storm sewer, garbage, recycling Average monthly cost: $42.68 Increase from 2014: $1.58 (3.8 per cent)

LEDUC COUNTY

Typical house value: $410,000 Total property taxes: $2,349 Increase from 2014: $37 (1.6 per cent) Municipal utilities provided: Virtually none; vast majority of homeowners handle own water, sewage and garbage services.