Municipal Assessment Agency - Board of Directors

Department

Authority

Remuneration

Purpose:

The Municipal Assessment Agency provides professional, independent property assessments throughout Newfoundland and Labrador in accordance with the Assessment Act, 2006.

The Agency is a crown corporation with the Minister as its sole shareholder and is governed by a representative board of directors.

The Agency is categorized as a category 2 entity under the Transparency and Accountability Act.

The Agency has a single line of business - property assessment and valuation. The Agency’s lines of business is a reflection of its incorporating documents and is summarized as follows:

• Assessment of real property (land, buildings, and other improvements) provided to municipalities that levy a real property tax. This service is provided under the Assessment Act 2006, and is provided for a fee which reflects the cost of the service. This activity generates 98% of the Agency’s revenues.
• Sale of assessments and assessment related information, primarily through electronic means and within the limitations set by law. The primary clients for this service are realty or financial service providers, as well as private interests. This activity generates the remaining 2% of the Agency’s revenues. 

The Municipal Assessment Agency is a “not for profit” entity, with returns used only to further the activities of the Agency on behalf of its clients.

Municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador which impose a real property tax or a business tax based on property values, use the services of the Agency. The Agency does not serve the City of St. John’s which provides its own assessment service.

Structure:

The Board of Directors is representative of the Agency's stakeholders with six municipal representatives, two taxpayer representatives, and a representative from each of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador and the Professional Municipal Administrators. Client municipalities elect the six municipal representatives, while the province appoints the taxpayer representatives. The remaining representatives are appointed by their respective associations.

Municipal representatives are elected in accordance with the Agency’s by-laws. The by-laws provide for an election following the municipal elections. Candidates are sought for two taxpayer representatives on the board.

Competency Profile:

Ideally, those who make up the Board members should collectively possess the following core competencies:

• Corporate Governance
• Municipal Governance
• Real Property Valuation and Assessment
• Municipal/Provincial Relations
• Strategic Management
• Organizational Change and Change Management
• Information Technology
• Public Relations
• Public Sector Administration
• Human Resources
• Labour Relations
• Executive Experience
• Financial Expertise/Literacy
• Legal Expertise

Qualifications:

Ideal candidates for the board of directors would possess the following qualifications:

• representative must be qualified for the seat he or she represents – geographically, demographically, or organizationally;
• knowledge of real property valuation and assessment;
• knowledge of the property tax system;
• experience with municipal governance;
• experience with provincial governance;
• experience with corporate governance;
• high ethical standards and integrity;
• appreciation of the responsibilities to the public;
• flexible, responsive and willing to consider others’ opinions;
• capable of a wide perspective on issues;
• ability to listen and work as a team member;
• no direct or indirect conflict of interest;
• strong reasoning skills;
• well regarded in the community;
• good common sense and judgement;
• a positive record of accomplishment in present and prior positions;
• strong public speaker;
• the ability to facilitate discussion;
• motivated to serve the public interest;
• effective coach, mentor, and sounding board;
• strong business acumen

Time Commitments:

Board members of the Agency should be available to meet approximately 6 times per year in different municipalities across the province. The locations are determined by Board with the goal of ensuring it is able to meet with municipal representatives in a variety of the regions the Agency serves. Tele-conferencing is acceptable when required.

The committees of the Agency meet approximately 6 times per year, normally the day prior to the board meeting. Time required to attend these meetings ranges from 1-4 days depending on the travel required by the board member.

Board members may also be expected to spend additional time to review materials and prepare for Board and Committee meetings.

Term:

Client municipalities elect the six municipal representatives in accordance with the Agency’s by-laws. The by-laws provide for an election following municipal elections. Directors are elected for a four year term.

The province appoints two taxpayer representatives. Taxpayer representatives are appointed to the board for a two year term.

The association representatives are appointed by the respective association. As per the Corporations Act, appointed representatives serve until replaced.

Vacancy Profile:

The Municipal Assessment Agency Board of Directors is currently seeking to fill one taxpayer representative position. Expressions of interest are being sought from individuals who possess the background, experience and skill-set identified in the board profile above and who can bring unique perspectives to the table. Consideration will also be given to a variety of demographic factors to ensure the board is representative of the population they serve.