Trevor Miller
We’re renting, so the increases are not something we see directly, but they would influence where we purchase.
If taxes price Flin Flon houses out of the local market, we could see a negative feedback loop of a shrinking population needing to pay for infrastructure.
It’s a fine line for city council – bills must be paid, but alienating residents and putting off potential homebuyers are risks.
The current increase is more necessity than choice, so there’s much that can be done. Moving forward, the choice between service cuts and tax increases will have to swing to the former once the latter hits a point of diminishing returns, unless we can find a point of equilibrium.
Trevor Miller is a local writer and essayist.
Doreen Murray
My taxes, along with everyone else’s did indeed go up substantially.
Though not happy, the increased cost of living in Flin Flon seems to be the new reality. For many ratepayers the increase in taxes, though not appreciated, is usually manageable.
Unfortunately, those on fixed or low incomes will not be seeing an increase in their pension cheques anytime soon. Seniors, once again, will bear the brunt of these hikes.
An article in the June 14 edition of this paper, titled “Know what you are entitled to,” may be of some help. I would encourage folks to read it.
Doreen Murray is a semi-retired businesswoman.
Ken Mansell
My net municipal tax went up by 14.3 per cent, or $227. I can live with that.
My net school tax went from $114.85 to $257. This is a 125 per cent increase. The school division has to cut a lot of the fat they have accumulated.
Thanks to the seniors’ school tax rebate of $235, this helps if you are a senior. If not, it is a considerable increase.
It’s interesting that Winnipeg has proposed its first hike in 14 years, a whopping 3.5 per cent.
I blame much of our tax hike on the overzealous and poorly trained provincial property assessors. I would not let them on my property without a court order.
Ken Mansell is a retired Flin Flonner.
