By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
A landowner in the RM of Corman Park floor will not be receiving a retroactive refund on the past 17 years of property taxes based on a new assessment he received this spring due to a crack in his basement floor.
RM of Corman Park councillors unanimously voted during their October 20 meeting to deny the tax abatement request, as recommended by administration.
An administration report stated the property-owner had appealed the 2026 assessment of his dwelling back in April due to the crack in his basement floor, which had to be repaired.
The Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency (SAMA) reviewed the request and lowered the property’s taxable assessment, resulting in a municipal tax reduction of $238.23 for 2026.
Then, on August 11, the RM received a letter from the property-owner asking if the RM could give him a refund for the past 17 years of taxes paid based on this new assessment.
However, administration pointed out that the new assessment was based on the property’s condition in 2026, not any prior years. No basement finish had been assessed when the dwelling was originally constructed.
It would also not be possible to determine if an adjustment would have applied throughout the previous 17 years.
Also, property-owners are ultimately responsible for reviewing and appealing their adjustment each year, administration noted. In this case, the owner had not appealed their assessment value in previous years.
If council had chosen not to follow administration’s recommendation, they could have approved the tax abatement under Section 274 of the Municipalities Act.
LOTTERIES GRANTS
Council also unanimously voted to approve a total of $6,000 in Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant funding for the Langham Skating Club and the Mirror Image Vaulters.
The Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant program assists in the development of sport, culture and recreation programs by providing funding to non-profit community organizations operated by volunteers.
Municipalities like the RM of Corman Park distribute this funding based on applications from organizations seeking to get people involved in sport, culture and recreation activities.
The RM received a total of $38,823 to allocate before the deadline of March 31, 2027, and after awarding these two grants, now has $12,598 in funding left to give out.
The first grant of $3,500 was awarded to the Langham Skating Club, which offers various CanSkate, Junior Star and Starskating programs for children of all ages.
The skating club, which had previously received $3,000 in the 2025/2026 funding cycle, requested $3,500 this year to assist with the costs of renting the Langham Arena and coaching fees.
Without it, the skating club specified that they would have to raise registration fees, which could cause a decrease in skaters.
The second grant of $2,500 was awarded to the Mirror Image Vaulters, an equestrian group that operates west of Saskatoon.
The Vaulters, which had previously received $1,000 last year, requested $2,500 to assist with the cost of facility rental and instructor fees.
In their application, the Vaulters noted they are having a dance coach coming out to work with their members over the winter, which will result in additional costs.
Without this grant, they would have to increase their registration fees or cancel the additional programming.
FLAG HALF-MASTING
Council also unanimously voted to approve a new policy that will provide direction for when the three flags at the RM’s office in Saskatoon, as well as flags at any other Corman Park facilities, will be lowered to half-mast.
As noted in an administration report, council had originally directed administration back in June to bring back a policy on flag protocol and half-masting.
The policy provides direction for following federal and provincial half-masting notices, observing annual commemorative dates, and recognizing the deaths of municipal officials, employees and police members. It also addresses local tragedies, special flag displays, maintenance and public communication.
During the RM of Corman Park council meeting on October 20, the three flags outside of the municipal office had been lowered to half-mast following the tragic fire at CFB Wainwright that killed four soldiers and injured dozens.