MRC hires FQM to tackle property assessment backlog

MRC hires FQM to tackle property assessment backlog

At the MRC Pontiac council of mayors meeting on January 24, council approved a contract for the services d’évaluation foncière of the Federation of Quebec Municipalities (FQM) in order to reduce some of the backlog of files in the MRC’s property assessment department.

Director General Kim Lesage explained that they currently have roughly 2,000 files awaiting calculations, largely due to turnover in the department.. The resolution notes that the MRC’s assessment department “has had at least two vacant positions for the majority of 2023.” The offer from the FQM is for calculations on at least 700 files currently requiring verification, at a cost of $10,000 plus tax.

When asked why the department has had such difficulty retaining staff over the years, Lesage said that it takes a certain type of person to carry out the inspection work, as they might not be well received by certain property owners. She added that some staff had left for reasons unrelated to the work.