PropertyTax

Below are 2 comments on the property tax increase. Lorne Gunter's comments were based on what he thought would be an 8.7% property tax increase. I wonder what his comments may be after the 8.9% property tax increase?Global News journalist Phil Heidenreich's comments were written after the increase was approved to be an increase to 8.9%.

What started out as a 6.6 % increase in the fall, earlier in April we were led to think the 6.6% had grown to become 8.7%. Tuesday it became official that the increase would not be 8.7% as previously thought, but a whopping 8.9%. The City says the tax dollars will help pay for more services, including the new metro line to NAIT, increased bus service, and a bigger homeless camp response. The aforementioned are big ticket items, hopefully we get fuller details of the budget.

The 8.9% increase amounts to about $66.00 for every $100,000 in assessed property value. The table below gives you a picture of what the 8.9% increase will mean to your already high tax burden. Tax notices including the 8.9% increase will be mailed to property owners on May 23 and taxes will be due June 30.

Property Value 8.9% Increas

$100,000 = $66.00

$200,000 = $132.00

$300,000 = $198.00

$400,000 = $264.00

Last Thursday the city’s chief financial officer, Stacey Padbury proposed that property taxes be increase to 8.7% from the approved 6.6% increase. Lorne Gunter consistently expresses a contrarian perspective to many of city's proposals and decisions and his voice is one of the loudest speaking out about another property tax increase. Do you approve of a property tax increase to 8.7%?