Estevan boasts the second-lowest residential and commercial property tax rates in the province, according to information released at Estevan City Council's August 23 meeting.

A homeowner in Estevan will pay a little less than $800 in property taxes this year for a house worth $100,000. Swift Current’s rate is about $10 lower than Estevan’s.

Estevan’s commercial property tax rate is slightly higher than $1,500 for a building worth $100,000. Saskatoon has the lowest commercial rate in Saskatchewan.

“When I was first (elected) mayor, there were two or three guys who I recall came in and said 'You guys have to change that commercial rate. It's too high,'” said Mayor Gary St. Onge.

St. Onge noted that Weyburn is sixth in both categories.

“It has to make a difference, I think, if you have a choice of going to Estevan or Weyburn, and if you look at just that (commercial property taxes),” said St. Onge.

Estevan’s commercial property taxes were among the highest in Saskatchewan when St. Onge was elected as a councillor in 2000.

Estevan has the lowest condominium rates (about $675 for a condo worth $100,000); the fourth-lowest rates for multi-family dwellings with three to 11 units (about $1,000 for a property worth $100,000); and the fifth-lowest rates for multi-family dwellings with at least 12 units (about $1,200 for a building worth $100,000).

When people come to City Hall and complain about their taxes, St. Onge said he shows them how Estevan compares favourably with other communities.

Three cities weren’t included in this year’s report: Meadow Lake and Martensville, since they became cities late in 2009, and Lloydminster, since it straddles the Alberta-Saskatchewan border.