Councillor questions tax hike

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 12, 2009 12:00 PM

A Lumby politician is lashing out at a potential increase in taxes. Coun. Janet Green contacted The Morning Star after Mayor Kevin Acton indicated in an article that a three per cent residential tax hike is possible in 2010. “I don’t think it’s a given we’re getting a tax increase,” said Green. “It may be unusual for a councillor to blow up with the media but I’m very concerned.” Acton has stated most of the increase comes from bolstering capital reserves, but Green disagrees, and says it is a result of raising employee wages four per cent. “Thirty per cent of the people in the community rely on forestry and are not working,” she said. “Four per cent is a lot of money and who gets that?” For an average home, three per cent would translate into about an extra $50 in taxes. Green also believes there is enough existing money in the system to put towards reserves.

When contacted, Acton says the village is committed to the wage hike and it has nothing to do with a potential rise in taxes. “The four per cent increase is already in the budget and past council made that decision three years ago,” he said. “Even if the tax increase came out at zero per cent, those wages would still be there.” Acton also denies Green’s assertion that enough money already exists for the capital reserve. “There might be a bit of a surplus at the end of the (present) budget year, but not enough to cover another bridge and work on the water treatment plant,” he said, adding that reserves are crucial. “We want to avoid a situation where we have to borrow a large chunk of money.” Green says she will be pushing for her colleagues not to increase taxes, and she wants residents to get involved in the process. “Council is reasonable and listens to people. I am telling people that if they’re concerned, they should talk to council,” she said. “The primary cause of the tax increase is wages.” Under provincial legislation, the 2010 budget must be adopted by May 15.