Taxation cycle continues
LETTERS
In the Oct. 4 Mortgage Broker News article, “Alberta’s highest and lowest property tax rates” (1.48 per cent and 0.47454 per cent), Lethbridge continues to be ranked as the second-highest property tax rate (1.11067 per cent) second only to Grande Prairie:
In addition, the Alberta Government median family income for 2015 again shows that Lethbridge ($87,400) is significantly lower than the Statistics Canada Alberta median ($93,835):
Recently, Lethbridge City Council finance committee commenced proceedings with a target increase of 1.6 per cent per year for the next four years but has settled on 1.96 per cent per year (compounds to 9.25 per cent over four years) to be forwarded to council for consideration (Draft budget sent to council, R. Parker, Deputy Mayor, chair of Finance Committee, Lethbridge Herald, Nov. 25).
Council continues the long-standing tradition of annual compound tax increases in a city that has the secondhighest property tax rate with a median family income significantly below the provincial median family income.
This situation has been documented in letters to the editor; however, council appears completely divorced from the reality of comparative tax rates and median family income. Those who point to the facts are reminded by Mayor Spearman that we need not compare the Lethbridge rate to Alberta cities.
As council continues to debate future tax rates, a discussion centred on targeting lower taxes needs to commence during current proceedings. The practice of tax increases needs to be quashed, along with detailed debate on how the city will reduce the overall budget to better align to our current Alberta reality.
Simply accepting the budget request from the city manager is an unacceptable and irresponsible direction on behalf of our elected officials. I encourage all to approach the City under the Freedom of Information Act for a detailed analysis of personal compound property tax rate over the past 10 years compared to the Statistics Canada compound consumer price index.
With the facts on the table, perhaps we might focus on an affordability objective for property owners.
John E. Percevault
Lethbridge