Sunday, July 29, 2007

Be Informed on the $38 cost to average taxpayer for new Library/Civic Building. Or should it be $73.65 ??

On the ads the City has been running for the last two weeks to promote the New Library/Civic Building they state "please make sure you inform yourself on the purpose of the borrowing bylaw." They then go on to state "Based on borrowing over 25 years, financing the construction of the new building, less lease revenue, will cost the average home owner $38 per year.

Analysis of $38 statement:
City's Assumptions in Ad:
The city's calculation of a $37.95 annual cost is based on a 25 year loan, with a 5% interest rate and annual lease revenue of $618,775 and the average property assessment of $289,509. (Land $138,937, Improvements $150,572). Their total actual annual nut to crack is $1,480,239 of which $1,000,000 is interest and $480,239 is principal pay down yearly.

Don Quixote's observations about City's calculations:
The multiplex and the theatre are financed over 20 years on an improvements only basis and this average house would have paid $62.72 towards the $14,750,000 multiplex with $14,25 million set to expire in 2020 AND $34.06 towards the $9,020,000 Theatre with $7.050 million set to expire in 2020 with balance by 2022. (The majority of these monies were financed at 6.36%. (and remember that there is a wider tax based as Areas B and C and Coldstream contribute to these functions through GVSC.)

(These annual charges also include the cost for the ongoing operations.) (67.3% of multipex costs are for debt servicing while 75.5% of Theatre costs are for servicing debt- balance appears to be for operating costs and reserves) This would make the Debt costs for the Multipex $42.21 and the Theatre would be $25.72. Operating subsidy would be $20.51 for Multiplex and $8.34 for Theatre.)
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  • If the city's annual lease revenue figures of $618,775 are excluded because either they are optimistic, NOT new revenues, or will not it fact be directed exclusively against the sinking fund of this $20,000,000 loan the average house would have an annual charge of $65.22
  • If the City actually financed over normally used 20 year period the annual nut to crack would rise to $1,671,635 and the average house would have an annual charge of $8.43 more raising the cost to $73.65.

Other Data:Breakdown of Anticipated lease revenue $618,775

  • 3rd floor rental $108,908,
  • RCMP add. space $40,499,
  • Parking revenue, $95,040,
  • Old library Building Rental $150,771,
  • Art Gallery $223,820.

(Old Library Rental 13071 sq ft @ $11/sq ft = 150,711,Art Gallery 18635 Sq.Ft @ $12/Sq ft = $223,620, RCMP 6000 sq ft @ $6.65/sq.ft =$40,499, 3rd floor rental 18635 sq.ft @ $5.84 sq.ft. = $108,908 and Parkade 144 spots (96 L1 + 48 L2) @$660/year or $55/month =$95,040

  • Contingency built in $900,835
  • City to Library Subsidy: $1,031,085

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Most of these numbers come directly From a June 18 report from the Manager of Finance. There is also an alternative proposal for a 4 year financing that would cost the average house $159.56 ($160 in ad) and also uses the same revenue recovery each year of $618,775. Naturally the average house tax would go up an additional $27.27 (65.22-37.95 ) making a total of $186.83 each year for 4 years if revenue is excluded. (In point of fact the rate in their June 18 calculation is .7452/1000 and the average house assessed at $289,509 would pay $215.74.) (This revised figure of $215.74 would be increased to $243.01 if the revenue was excluded.)

City continues to "inform" us using the taxpayers own money. (excerpts below)July 20 Posting:

Actually the City's taxation for the 4 year plan using their own residential levy rate of .7452 per thousand on the average house valued at $259,509 is $215.74 not $159.56.($160)This correction would help the City to persuade you that is better to pay $38 per year for 25 years rather than $215 per year for 4 years. Naturally this ignores the fact that the $618,775 of rental income( if amount is correct) would continue to flow in and would amount to a reduction in taxes for the average house over the next 21 years.

-------------------------Look at your 2007 Tax Information sheet. This same $289,509 property paid General Municipal taxes of $672.78.

  • A $38 per year increase over 25 years is 5.64% increase
  • A $65.22 per year increase over 25 years is 9.69% INCREASE. (new)
  • A $73.65 per year increase over 20 years is 10.94% INCREASE. (new)

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