Prokop believes municipal taxes are misunderstood

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mayor Andrew Prokop wants to clear up any misconceptions about Taber’s taxes. After what he said had been close to a hundred conversations around the topic of rising municipal taxes, he reached out to the Times. We agreed to sit down with him before publishing an account of a simplified breakdown of tax rates, verified through any available documentation.

  So here it is: the tax rate increase on residential properties in 2025 is on average 2.4 per cent, which is low, and Prokop made that clear. He also revealed his own personal tax statements for the years 2021 to 2025, and his 2025 numbers align with the 2.4 average.

 He said, “We tried to keep down the absolute minimum. This rate at 2.4 for the average, I think it’s about the third lowest ever since I’ve been on council.”

 Having said that, the Town sets the municipal tax rate, but it does not assess or assign the residential property values. Those assessments are done by an assessor who follows real estate trends and adheres to the provincial guidelines.

 Prokop has been on council for 12 years, with one term as a councillor and two terms as mayor. “I guess what I’m trying to suggest and or help people understand is that, honestly, we’re doing our very best. It’s the lowest we’ve had this whole term. Last year was over four per cent (increase) for sure.”

 So why doesn’t the mayor’s “third lowest” feel low? For three reasons:

 First, residential properties were assessed and assigned a higher dollar value this year. Either your home was improved (ie. with a pool, solar panels, basement renos etc.) – or the real estate market improved. If the market improves, then everyone’s property is assigned a higher value. Even at a static tax rate, people pay more because their property is worth more, unless the Town lowers the municipal tax rate.

 Second, the tax bill includes a school tax, set by the Province and raised 14 per cent by the Province in 2025. Prokop said he didn’t want to throw the Province under the bus, but the increase is making an impact. The Province sends Taber a school tax requisition and the Town must collect it on the Province’s behalf. This applies to every municipality in Alberta.

 Third, a senior’s tax is applied to each taxpayer for senior’s services in the province. Again, it is collected by the Town but forwarded to the Province. The senior’s tax increased by five per cent in 2025.

 For a more detailed breakdown of the numbers.