Vanderhoof resident upset after property assessment

Feb 21, 2019 | 2:44 PM

VANDERHOOF- The 2019 Northern BC property assessments are out and while Prince George and the surrounding area have seen pretty average increases in the property values, one Vanderhoof resident saw his property rise an astonishing amount. Vanderhoof resident Lorne Martens saw his property value rise 86 per cent after the latest evaluation by BC Assessment.

Astonished by the number, Martens got in touch with BC Assessment to dispute the evaluation. He was offered a phone hearing or in-person hearing with BC Assessment to discuss the evaluation, the latter to which he accepted. After the hearing was held Thursday morning, it was agreed his rate would be lowered back down to the Vanderhoof average increase of four per cent.

In terms of what this means for Martens and his taxes, he will be paying the same amount as everyone else in Vanderhoof. The total assessed value of properties from BC Assessments is used along with the set tax rates by local municipalities to determine each individuals proportion of the tax pie so to speak. So if a resident’s assessed property is slightly higher than the average, they would be paying more than most residents in the region.

BC Assessment refused to comment on the matter after attempts for a comment.