Officials with Clearwater County say property owners will soon receive their 2024 Property Assessment Notices separately from the annual Property Tax Notices. They say it represents a move away from the usual practice of mailing them together in May of each year.

They add that this strategic separation is aimed at providing property owners with a more transparent and fair understanding of how their properties are assessed.

Property Assessment Notices were mailed on April 11, 2024.

The County says if residents have questions or concerns with their assessments, they are encouraged to discuss the matter with a Clearwater County Assessor prior to the assessment appeal deadline on June 18, 2024.

Officials say the reasons for the change include:

● Transparency: Clearwater County aims to enhance transparency by separating Property Assessment Notices from Property Tax Notices, providing residents with a clearer insight into the assessment process.
● Fairness: This separation ensures fairness by allowing residents to understand property values independent of tax considerations.

Subsequently, they add residents will receive their annual Property Tax Notices in May 2024, after Clearwater County council has set the 2024 property tax rate. Assessment values are used to calculate property taxes, which cannot be disputed.

Property owners with questions or concerns about their assessment are encouraged to contact the County’s Assessment department at 403-845-4444 or assessment@clearwatercounty.ca.

Additionally, the County says it offers a property assessment map tool providing property information, including land-use, addresses, tax roll numbers, and up-to-date assessment details for properties within the municipal boundary of Clearwater County.

The public can access the map here.