Dear Editor,
In the spring, I commented on the new tax levy and other taxes that we were yet to hear about. We are now able to ascertain the full impact of these tax increases.
In last week’s Reminder, there were statements and assumptions made that are just not true.
First, not everyone in Flin Flon make high wages. There are a lot of people who have low-paying jobs, and there are lots of seniors on fixed incomes.
To suggest the new taxes have not had any impact on the people in this community is just not true. There were people who expressed their concerns in that same article, and I am sure that there are many more.
I purchased an older home in 1972. The property is 33 ft. by 120 ft. These homes are what was available back then. My tax increase on this property was $550.
For storage space, I have a lot with a garage on it. The garage has no power in it. Tax increase for this property: $550.
The reason for this increase, I was told, was because I may need fire and/or police services. If this property had no garage and I stored a boat or a truck on this property, I still may need fire and/or police services, but the tax would not fully apply. This is just a form of discrimination.
My total increase is $1,100. If you are on a fixed income, where will this money come from?
This does not even cover our increases in water and sewer. The mayor spoke of The Pas, and, yes, they have a higher mill rate but they also have sewer and water that could cost as little as $63 per three-month period, not nearly the $1,200 per year we will soon be paying.
The provincial government tried to help seniors with their taxes and allow them to have more household income, but city council took care of that.
I hope many more property owners express their outrage over these taxes. I hope there are other citizens in this town who will run for council, and we vote and remember who increased our taxes.
