HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2013-11-20, Page 22 News Record • Wednesday, November 20, 2013
MPAC answers tough questions from council
Gerard Creces
Clinton News -Record
Central Huron Council had
some strong words and many
questions for Chuck Egner of
the Municipal Property
Assessment Corporation
(MPAC) Tuesday, November
15.
Egner was at the Committee
of the Whole meeting to take
any questions or concerns
from council regarding prop-
erty assessment in the
municipality.
The county has a four-year
assessment cycle, and Egner
said real estate is something
that constantly increases over
time, with few exceptions.
Right now, assessment rates
are only a year into the cycle,
though there was significant
catch up when the 2012
assessment came into effect.
That rise, however, is diffi-
cult for property owners.
Higher tax assessment means
greater difficulty in selling a
home.
Property value growth is dif-
ferent that residential or com-
mercial growth, Coun. Brian
Barnim said, expressing his
concern that asking prices for
high-value lakefront property drive
up assessment values for others west
of Highway 21, giving a false reading
for growth in the municipality.
Egner said MPAC is vigilant sepa-
rating growth from regular assess-
ment, and those who have any issue
are welcome to bring their case
before them.
"If someone thinks they couldn't
get that (assessment value), they can
always submit a request for reconsid-
eration," he told council.
In Central Huron there have been
108 requests for reconsideration - a
low number compared to the 4,200 -
plus residences in the municipality.
Because of its rural settings, prop-
erties differ greatly from one another,
Egner said, and so the whole region
has to be taken into consideration.
"We still have to take other sales
into account," he said. "Properties
are more unique here and we have to
pay close attention to purchase
prices"
Council also asked the MPAC rep-
resentative to take better account of
voters lists and residency numbers,
especially leading into an election
year.
We still have to take
other sales into account.
Properties are more
unique here and we have
to pay close attention
to purchase prices."
— Chuck Egner
CORRECTION:
In our November 6 Book of
Remembrance pages, the following
Veteran was missed:
Sergeant John G. Fisher
R C A Airborne
RCAF
The News -Record
regrets the omission.
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