Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Property Taxes in the Crowsnest Pass

There as been much said in the last few days about the large property tax increase in Calgary, an increase that works out on average to $106 per home. They should consider themselves lucky.
The "Average" increase per home in the Crowsnest Pass works out to $174.40, that's a whopping 11.2%.
The property tax for a average home with a value of $220,000 will be $1729.72
Keep in mind that is an average thanks to the wild swings in property values some people are going to see increases of 20-30%.
Don't be shy let the politicians know your feelings, excuses will be tossed around.
There is an attitude amongst politicians all over that the public will keep accepting these types of increases.
Is that true?

1 comment:

John Prince said...

Dean! As you know, I have spoken out over the years with respect to this issue. I warned people, because of past actions (and lack of) by this mayor and different former councils, this trend of yearly property tax and utility increases would be the norm. Including a whopping 26.4% increase in P/T for us here in Bellevue, last year.

I blame much of these tax increases, as a result of uncontrolled spending in one particular area alone. No where else!! (Because, as everyone knows, every where else, we are sadly lacking!) The area which has been getting ALL the money over the years has been in the area of infrastructure projects, which in my opinion, benefit certain well-to-do landowners and developers, at the expense of the individual household in our community of communities.

I could go on and on, but it is enough to say the municipality's own literature that accompanies our property tax bills this year, says it all. (First, remember that before this current mayor came to office this last round, Mayor Utley, had more or less paid off ALL our municipal debt.) 3% of all revenue collected from us, the taxpayers, is going to DEBT servicing. That amount is staggering!!! The scary part is there is no relieve in sight from the on-going multi-million dollar infrastructure projects this mayor can come up with.

The latest one is to the lakes, which will hugely and primarily benefit a 'few' landowners in the area of west Coleman, to the lakes. This is being done on the pretext of a major development in that area (when the one in Blairmore by the same people, can't seem to get off the ground. Despite numerous and ongoing concessions by the taxpayers of this community).