About the Landscape Lot Levy
History
In September 1999, a petition was put to the residents of Citadel and Morningside in Citadel with regard to implementing a special tax/enhancement landscape maintenance fee. The exact wording on the petition read: “A Special Tax/Enhancement Landscape Maintenance Fee. I approve a tax levy of $65 per household to provide enhanced landscape maintenance to the entrance ways, boulevards, and Citadel community site, as outlined by The Citadel Community Association.” The petition was approved by a greater than 66% vote and the first year the tax was levied was 2000.
Special Tax Levies
Adapted from an Article from City of Calgary Parks Department. Section 382 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) allows a municipality to pass a special tax bylaw to generate additional resources to pay for enhanced services such as boulevard maintenance. The Boulevard Maintenance Special Tax generates funds to finance additional park or green space maintenance which can includes the following actives: increased watering, fertilizing, increased grass mowing, more flowers or planter boxes. Special Tax Levies have been established in the communities of Christie Park, Patterson Hills, Citadel, Diamond Cove, and Douglasdale for enhanced maintenance. The per household contribution to a Tax Levy is based on the following criteria:
- The amount of land involved
- Pre determined maintenance activities
- Activity frequencies and material cost
- The number of households per community
The overall value of the funds collected through the tax levy process has remained virtually unchanged. The cost per annum per household started at $65 and is still $65 per annum. The City of Calgary requests all Tax Levy communities to select a turf maintenance contractor through a transparent, tendering process. This process shall align with principles and conditions similar to those used by The City of Calgary. Calgary Parks will have the options to apply for these tenders as an equal. These special tax levies for enhanced boulevard maintenance are one year Bylaws, renewed on a yearly basis.
The Community Association must receive approval from Calgary Parks for any proposed changes in the levy collected from each household. The City of Calgary will advise property owners in the community of the proposed increase. Homeowners will have the opportunity to file a petition against should they so desire. A valid petition against must be signed by two-thirds of the residential property owners in the Community.
In 2003, The City introduced guidelines and regulations to help Citadel Community Association, the City Parks department and the City Streets department to streamline the bidding, review and implementation process.
On April 22, 2009 the Citadel Community Association hosted a meeting open for all community association members to vote on whether the community should keep the Citadel lot levy. Below are the results of the vote:
88 votes to keep the levy | 1 vote against keeping the levy. There were no spoiled ballots.
West Citadel Beautification Program
The Citadel Community Association is thrilled to announce the approval of the West Citadel beautification program. Coming in the Spring of 2015, West Citadel will be part of the Lot Levy program that is currently in place in Citadel and Morningside.
What you can expect?
Spring 2015 our contractor will start cleaning up the park areas in West Citadel, they will provide regular mowing and trimming of turf areas, cultivation and edging shrub beds and tree wells, minor pruning of trees and shrubs, pick up litter, spring and fall clean-up, annual flower plantings on main medians, green space maintenance and weed control.
How will this be paid for?
All of this for a little more than $5.00 per month! The Lot Levy is an annual fee of $66.95 that will be added to each home owner’s annual tax bill.
Would you like to find out more?
We are holding a ‘joint’ Open House On April 22 at 7:00 pm at Citadel Park School to showcase the West Citadel Beautification Program as well as the proposed new Multi-purpose Building for Citadel We will answer your questions and solicit your feedback and gather ideas regarding the Lot Levy as well as our proposed community building. We hope to see you there!
You need more information?
If you cannot make the Open House meeting and you have questions, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and we will be happy to answer your questions.
