It’s anticipated that taxes could dominate a meeting between Vernon politicians and some merchants. Council has agreed to sit down with the Downtown Vernon Association executive Oct. 24 to discuss issues of concern, including the ratio of commercial tax rates to residential rates. “They are very unhappy with the city and the commercial taxation rates,” said Coun. Pat Cochrane, who is the city’s representative to the DVA and a downtown merchant. The average tax increase this year was 12 per cent, but many businesses have experienced a higher increase.Cochrane and Mayor Wayne Lippert recently met with the DVA to try and address the matter. “They realize that taxation is necessary and the concern was the value they are getting for the taxes they are paying,” said Lippert. During that meeting, the city also tried to explain the relationship between taxes and property assessments. Information was also provided on some specific properties.“We showed the history of assessments,” said Lippert.
With many merchants upset, Cochrane anticipates that taxation for 2009 will become an election issue in November. “They will be more mobilized next year to ensure the commercial taxpayers’ voice is heard long before the budget is finalized,” he said. It was back in May that the DVA asked to meet with the city twice a year. “An exchange of concerns, ideas and perspectives by our respective organizations will enable us to co-ordinate our energies and resources and further our common goal of a dynamic, successful downtown,” said Mary-Jo O’Keefe, DVA president, in a letter to council
2 comments:
Lippert as usual does not know what he is talking about.We all know what took place as far as assessments-the issue is-what should be the ratio between business tax and residential tax rates-Lippert-tax the hell out of business-thay have no vote!
What is Lippert talking about? It is the ratio between business tax and residential and since business does not have a vote at election time, he says ,let them pay
Post a Comment