Councillor Ron Cannan was on his own in voting against adopting the city香蕉视频直播檚 five-year financial plan and 2024 property tax increase.
During council香蕉视频直播檚 May 6 meeting, he quoted Mayor Tom Dyas from his 2022 election campaign about reigning in spending at city hall and respecting residents香蕉视频直播� hard-earned tax dollars.
香蕉视频直播淚 totally agree and that香蕉视频直播檚 why I don香蕉视频直播檛 support growing government at twice the rate of the city香蕉视频直播檚 growth as per the budget and I don香蕉视频直播檛 support raising taxes higher than the cost of living,香蕉视频直播� Cannan said.
He added that he liked some aspects of the budget and pointed out the city has a healthy reserve system.
香蕉视频直播淚 think returning that overtaxed money to citizens at this time is more than warranted.香蕉视频直播�
Dyas did not address the comments and instead thanked staff for its efforts on the budget.
The 2024 budget includes a 4.72 per cent property tax increase which equates to $112 a year based on the average value of a single detached home ($982,950).
Council Luke Stack was pleased the property tax increase is lower than originally forecast in the fall.
香蕉视频直播淔rom what I can see we are one of the lowest in the province.香蕉视频直播�
Picking up that thread, Coun. Mohini Singh said taxes need to be increased incrementally every year.
香蕉视频直播淪o that future councils won香蕉视频直播檛 have to look back and say 香蕉视频直播極h dear God we have to raise it by 30 per cent香蕉视频直播� and face public outrage.香蕉视频直播�
Coun. Maxine DeHart pointed out there was no tax increase when she was first elected to council more than a decade ago.
香蕉视频直播淚 think we香蕉视频直播檙e still trying to get caught up from 14 years ago.香蕉视频直播�
The property tax increase includes a one per cent public safety levy that partially funds new RCMP members, firefighters, and bylaw officers.
The 2024 budget marks a significant shift as it香蕉视频直播檚 the first under a new service-based budgeting model.
Approximately 25 per cent of the city香蕉视频直播檚 operating and capital costs each year come from taxation, with the 2024 tax demand at $191.2 million.
Property owners are reminded of the July 2 deadline for tax payments, with a 10 per cent penalty for late payments.
Homeowners can seek support through the offered by the province.
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