Clearwater County is reminding residents that penalties for property taxes will increase today.

Officials say property taxes are the primary means by which Canadian municipalities, and Clearwater County, in particular, pay for the building and maintenance of roads and bridges and a whole lot more.

Officials say Clearwater County’s assessors work diligently to value property as fairly as possible in relation to similar property and provincial regulations and guidelines.

During their regular meeting on May 9, 2023, council adopted the 2023 Tax Rate Bylaw reflecting a 3 per cent municipal tax rate increase for farm and residential classes of assessed property, and a 3.5 per cent rate increase to non-residential assessed property.

Below are the ways residents can pay their taxes:

PaySimply – PaySimply is described as a convenient way to pay through a third party using your credit card. However, processing fees apply, and it may take three business days to go through.

Online Banking – Make payments online through your financial institution (fees may apply).

By mail – Checks can be sent to, Clearwater County PO Box 550, 4340 – 47 Avenue, Rocky Mountain House, AB T4T 1A4.

In-person – Residents may also pay in person during regular office hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to pay by cash, cheque or debit (post-dated cheques are welcome). Reminder: if cheques are returned by the bank, taxes are considered unpaid.

Drop box – A drop box is located at the main Clearwater County office at 4340 – 47 Avenue, Rocky Mountain House.

Clearwater County also offers a Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP) allowing taxpayers to pay property taxes on a monthly basis. This bylaw, for the second time, has a penalty date noted in April of the year following the levy. Officials note this is to encourage payment of unpaid taxes before the first penalty date in September.

The next penalty date is April 19, 2024.