Having spent a few years on economic development councils, I am always astounded when I hear municipal leaders justify increasing taxes by extolling, “It is only five per cent; just a bit over inflation…”
If you actually take a minute to do the math, at five per cent per year, it only takes eight years to increase taxes by 50 per cent.
Who out there has seen their salaries increase by 50 per cent over this same period? In other words, if you were making $48,000 a year, did your salary increase to $72,000?
Not likely.
Council is voted in and paid to take care of us taxpayers, to look out for our best interests and our pocketbooks.
Before additional tax burdens are put in place, one has to balance any proposed increase with the reality of increased wages.
Mission has enjoyed a significant increase in population and home values. This has surely increased the coffers. With COVID-19 in our midst, and so many businesses in a precarious position, is now the time to put more downward financial pressure on us taxpayers?
I think not.
Peter Janis
Mission