To the editor:
The problem is, it is far easier to increase taxes, than to keep existing tax levels within reason.
Much of this ²â±ð²¹°ù91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s tax increase is claimed to be due to the new police services building, and will undoubtedly result in a tax hike in next ²â±ð²¹°ù91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s taxes, and that of the following years.
This is not a simple tax increase. It is a percentage increase based on last ²â±ð²¹°ù91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s increase.
Next year will no doubt see another percentage increase based on this ²â±ð²¹°ù91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s increase. In other words, an escalating tax, on a tax, on a tax!
Council stated additional funding is needed to deal with °±ð±ô´Ç·É²Ô²¹91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s growing population. Nonsense!
A growing population automatically results in an increasing tax base.
It has been claimed as a result of our growing population, six new officers are required.
In fact, the increased tax dollars paid by °±ð±ô´Ç·É²Ô²¹91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s rapidly increasing population is what will pay for expansion of police and other services.
The reality is that those yearly tax increases leave most of us with less money each year.
If this ²â±ð²¹°ù91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s proposed 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœm¾±²Ô´Ç°ù91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ 4.4 per cent tax increase is repeated for the next six years, taxes will have increased by a whopping 26 per cent.
±õ³Ù91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s time Kelowna started living within its means. Money »å´Ç±ð²õ²Ô91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t grow on trees!
Robert Wilson, Kelowna