The following is being distributed at the request of the Municipal Assessment Agency:

Agency to mail assessment notices

The board of directors of the Municipal Assessment Agency is pleased to announce that the agency will mail the assessment notices for the 2004 annual assessment. "Last year�s pilot project was well received," said board chairperson Fred Best. "Our survey of municipalities indicate that 92 per cent favour the agency continuing with the mailing process." In 2002, as a pilot project, the agency managed the delivery of annual assessment notices for the first time. Previously, each of 231 municipalities were responsible to deliver their own assessment notices.

As a first step in the process, the board has approved a request for proposals for a partner to assist with the production and delivery of 175,000 property and business assessment notices. The call for proposals will be published in the next week and the deadline for response is May 16. This partnership will ensure an efficient and effective delivery process.

The Municipal Assessment Agency provides real property assessment services to 231 municipalities across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Media contact: Sean Martin, Executive Director, (709) 724-1532, (709) 685-3981

2003 04 17                                        11:00 a.m.