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:
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.
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.
Ideally, those who make up the Board members should collectively possess the following core competencies:
Ideal candidates for the board of directors would possess the following qualifications:
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.
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.
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.