Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Pete McIntyre April 11, 2017 06:00 pm
Vernon council has voted to adjust this year’s residential tax rates to ease the burden on businesses. Councillor Brian Quiring feels local merchants need the support.“You have utility costs going up, water rates are going up, everything is going up. Yes, we need to help businesses out. Anything we can do to help them will give them a break,” Quiring tells Kiss FM. Council’s move will shift $100,000 of total tax burden from business to residential properties. The option was one of three council considered, with option 3 passing by a 4-2 margin. (Mayor Akbal Mund was not present at Monday’s meeting) Of the $37.8 million of taxes necessary for a balanced budget, $23.1 million will be derived from residential property owners, and $11.8 million from business property owners. City taxes will increase by 3.58 per cent this year, or an extra $49 for the average residential property. The increase works out to 1.9 per cent for capital projects in Vernon—including road, sewer and facility improvements—and 1.68 per cent for operating expenses. “Vernon currently has 17,581 residential properties and 1,377 business properties. In 2016, the average residential property paid $1,252 in general municipal taxes; for 2017 that amount will be $1,301, a difference of $49. The business property tax increase will average 3.49 per cent,” says City communications officer Tanya Laing Gahr.
Tax rates are calculated by multiplying the property assessment (provided by BC Assessment) by the established mill rate as part of the balanced budget equation. For both business and residential property owners, the mill rate will be reduced in 2017. In 2016, the business mill rate was 9.9847; in 2017, the mill rate will be 9.8522. In 2016, the residential mill rate was 3.6716, and for 2017 it will be 3.6103.
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https://www.vernon.ca/activities-events/news-events/news-archive/vernon-council-adjusts-2017-property-tax-rates
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Tax rates favour business
RICHARD ROLKE Tue Apr 11th, 2017 2:00pm
Vernon businesses are getting a tax break. On Monday, city council adjusted the general residential tax rates for 2017 to reduce the burden on business properties. “It’s hard for businesses. We need to help businesses,” said Coun. Brian Quiring of why he backed this option. This decision will reduce $100,000 of total tax burden from business to residential properties. Of the $37.8 million of taxes necessary for the budget, $23.1 million will be derived from residential property owners, and $11.8 million from business property owners. Overall, total property taxes will increase by an average of 3.58 per cent: 1.9 per cent for infrastructure and 1.68 per cent for operating expenses. In 2016, the average residential property paid $1,252 in general municipal taxes. For 2017, that amount will be $1,301, a difference of $49.The business property tax increase will average 3.49 per cent. Tax rates are calculated by multiplying the property assessment (provided by BC Assessment) by the established mill rate as part of the budget equation. Opposition came from Councillors Bob Spiers and Juliette Cunningham, who didn’t want a change in the allocation of the general municipal tax levy. “I hate to see big swings either way and this is a more moderate way to approach it,” said Cunningham. Under the option preferred by Spiers and Cunningham, the residential mill rate (per $1,000 assessed value) would have been 3.5946 (2016— 3.6716). The business class mill rate would have been 9.9359 (2016 — 9.9847).
Showing posts with label Tax Ratios. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tax Ratios. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Heavy-industry tax break will hit Kamloops homeowners
By: Andrea Klassen in Municipal Government, News April 12, 2016
Heavy industry in Kamloops will get a $550,000 tax cut in 2016. At a budget meeting on Tuesday morning, city council voted to shift some of the city’s property-tax burden from Domtar, Lafarge and Tolko and onto residential ratepayers. The shift, coupled with other increases this year, will hike the tax bill for the average homeowner by $58 on a house worth $351,000. Heavy industries in the city have complained for years their tax rate is far too high compared to other communities in the province. While the city has frozen the mill rate (the amount of money per $1,000 of assessed property) paid by the three companies for several years, it is still above the provincial average. With Tuesday’s cut, heavy-industrial ratepayers will pay $74 per $1,000 of assessed value. Finance director Kath Humphrey told council the community with the next-highest rate in the province charges industries $53 per $1,000 of assessed value. (more)
Heavy industry in Kamloops will get a $550,000 tax cut in 2016. At a budget meeting on Tuesday morning, city council voted to shift some of the city’s property-tax burden from Domtar, Lafarge and Tolko and onto residential ratepayers. The shift, coupled with other increases this year, will hike the tax bill for the average homeowner by $58 on a house worth $351,000. Heavy industries in the city have complained for years their tax rate is far too high compared to other communities in the province. While the city has frozen the mill rate (the amount of money per $1,000 of assessed property) paid by the three companies for several years, it is still above the provincial average. With Tuesday’s cut, heavy-industrial ratepayers will pay $74 per $1,000 of assessed value. Finance director Kath Humphrey told council the community with the next-highest rate in the province charges industries $53 per $1,000 of assessed value. (more)
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Council sets tax rate
by Kate Bouey - CASTANET Apr 12, 2016 / 5:00 am
It will cost the average Vernon homeowner an extra $41.15 in city taxes this year. Council opted to have no changes to the allocation levy in 2016 although some councillors pressed for more help for business. Figures show that on a home costing $341,113, taxpayers will pay $1,252.43 to cover City of Vernon operating and capital costs in 2016. Coun. Scott Anderson fretted that business owners should see a reduction in business rate. While acting mayor Catherine Lord pointed out the business rate had been reduced over the past number of years, Coun. Brian Quiring said those reductions had moved at a “glacial speed.” “I'd like to send a message out that we'd like to keep moving it down. There are still a lot of empty buildings in downtown Vernon and it's hard on landlords to carry them and they need help." Quiring said he would have preferred a different levy that would have taken the tax burden off of business and placed it on the homeowner. That option would have cost the average homeowner $93.99 extra in taxes this year.
It will cost the average Vernon homeowner an extra $41.15 in city taxes this year. Council opted to have no changes to the allocation levy in 2016 although some councillors pressed for more help for business. Figures show that on a home costing $341,113, taxpayers will pay $1,252.43 to cover City of Vernon operating and capital costs in 2016. Coun. Scott Anderson fretted that business owners should see a reduction in business rate. While acting mayor Catherine Lord pointed out the business rate had been reduced over the past number of years, Coun. Brian Quiring said those reductions had moved at a “glacial speed.” “I'd like to send a message out that we'd like to keep moving it down. There are still a lot of empty buildings in downtown Vernon and it's hard on landlords to carry them and they need help." Quiring said he would have preferred a different levy that would have taken the tax burden off of business and placed it on the homeowner. That option would have cost the average homeowner $93.99 extra in taxes this year.
Friday, March 18, 2016
Farm Rates Still Under Review
Posted on 3/18/2016 6:41 AM by Ron Manz 107.5 KISSFM
The District of Coldstream is continuing to evaluate how it taxes farm properties as it moves to reduce payments this coming year by one third of the assessed value. Mayor Jim Garlick says council was more than a little surprised to find out that BC Assessment uses information from back in 1980 when it estimates values of farm properties....and that definitely has a bearing on what Coldstream should be taxing. "The municipality has to take that into consideration with it's tax multiplier, that means how many times higher that you would charge a certain assessment class over another in order to make adjustments and even out the burden of taxation on the community." "We will re-assess next year, whether we keep heading on this path. We took a small step this year and we come back next year and will make more decisions on whether we continue to head down that road of reducing it or not. We brought it a little more in line with what is around the community this year."
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The District of Coldstream is continuing to evaluate how it taxes farm properties as it moves to reduce payments this coming year by one third of the assessed value. Mayor Jim Garlick says council was more than a little surprised to find out that BC Assessment uses information from back in 1980 when it estimates values of farm properties....and that definitely has a bearing on what Coldstream should be taxing. "The municipality has to take that into consideration with it's tax multiplier, that means how many times higher that you would charge a certain assessment class over another in order to make adjustments and even out the burden of taxation on the community." "We will re-assess next year, whether we keep heading on this path. We took a small step this year and we come back next year and will make more decisions on whether we continue to head down that road of reducing it or not. We brought it a little more in line with what is around the community this year."
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| 2015 Sources of tax revenues for Coldstream & Vernon |
Friday, March 13, 2015
Ranch owner pursues cut to taxes
by Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star posted Mar 13, 2015 at 1:00 AM— updated Mar 13, 2015 at 6:03 AM
Coldstream Ranch isn’t taking any more bull when it comes to what it calls unfair taxation. Owner Keith Balcaen says he normally goes about his business at the farm or Balcaen Logging with little fuss. But a struggling agricultural sector has forced the ranch to review its major expenses over the past several years. Taxation is one of them. “The tax is hurting, it’s hurting a lot,” Balcaen told Coldstream council Monday. “It’s almost like you’re being penalized for being in the agricultural sector.” Coldstream Ranch has requested several times since 2012 that the district council review its current tax multiplier (which is 4.5 to 1) and give consideration to reducing the rate. “I’m more disappointed in nothing happening in the last three years,” said Balcaen. The 2014 farm tax rate in Coldstream is 12, whereas Vernon is .79, Enderby is 3.3 and Lake Country is 1.08. “It leaves a really (bad) taste with me when we’re paying 12 per cent higher than my neighbours,” said Balcaen. But Mayor Jim Garlick points out that consideration has to be given to what makes up each area. For example, other rural communities have higher rates, such as Armstrong which is also 12, Spallumcheen is 11 and Lumby is 75. “It’s a hard one,” said Garlick, adding that council must compare services to the taxes brought in. Coun. Richard Enns adds: “We’re always trying to weigh those things, it’s a tough decision.” But as a small agricultural operater, Enns admits that the current rate doesn’t affect him as much as it does Coldstream Ranch. Although he doesn’t want to, Balcaen suggests he may have to start peeling off some of the 130 titles the ranch owns in order to be viable. “We’re a bigger entity, maybe we should start selling off?” Council agreed to bring the issue back for discussion for next year, since it has been a tough decision. “It was far from a unanimous vote from council on what to do with it,” said Coun. Pat Cochrane. Enns was opposed as he would like to see additional information brought forward in order to spur further discussion.
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Don Quixote Note: 2014 Tax schedules showing the breakdown by class for local municipalities mentioned in above post.
http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/infra/tax_rates/tax_rates2014.htm Schedule707_2014.xls (376 KB)Tax Burden
Coldstream Ranch isn’t taking any more bull when it comes to what it calls unfair taxation. Owner Keith Balcaen says he normally goes about his business at the farm or Balcaen Logging with little fuss. But a struggling agricultural sector has forced the ranch to review its major expenses over the past several years. Taxation is one of them. “The tax is hurting, it’s hurting a lot,” Balcaen told Coldstream council Monday. “It’s almost like you’re being penalized for being in the agricultural sector.” Coldstream Ranch has requested several times since 2012 that the district council review its current tax multiplier (which is 4.5 to 1) and give consideration to reducing the rate. “I’m more disappointed in nothing happening in the last three years,” said Balcaen. The 2014 farm tax rate in Coldstream is 12, whereas Vernon is .79, Enderby is 3.3 and Lake Country is 1.08. “It leaves a really (bad) taste with me when we’re paying 12 per cent higher than my neighbours,” said Balcaen. But Mayor Jim Garlick points out that consideration has to be given to what makes up each area. For example, other rural communities have higher rates, such as Armstrong which is also 12, Spallumcheen is 11 and Lumby is 75. “It’s a hard one,” said Garlick, adding that council must compare services to the taxes brought in. Coun. Richard Enns adds: “We’re always trying to weigh those things, it’s a tough decision.” But as a small agricultural operater, Enns admits that the current rate doesn’t affect him as much as it does Coldstream Ranch. Although he doesn’t want to, Balcaen suggests he may have to start peeling off some of the 130 titles the ranch owns in order to be viable. “We’re a bigger entity, maybe we should start selling off?” Council agreed to bring the issue back for discussion for next year, since it has been a tough decision. “It was far from a unanimous vote from council on what to do with it,” said Coun. Pat Cochrane. Enns was opposed as he would like to see additional information brought forward in order to spur further discussion.
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Don Quixote Note: 2014 Tax schedules showing the breakdown by class for local municipalities mentioned in above post.
http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/infra/tax_rates/tax_rates2014.htm Schedule707_2014.xls (376 KB)Tax Burden
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Coldstream Ranch Seeks Tax Relief
Written by Glen Morrison 107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 10 March 2015 15:10
The Coldstream Ranch is asking the municipality for some tax relief. Ranch owner Keith Balcaen appeared before council Monday to express concern about the farming tax rate. Mayor Jim Garlick says they had looked at the rate again this year before setting the budget. "Historically they've been several times higher than the residential, and that's been because the difference in assessed value of farm land compared to regular residential land, is much lower," says Garlick. Garlick says they're trying to keep some balance between the two, and will likely review it again in the next budget year and compare with other municipalities. He says an additional factor is the large amount of roads that must be maintained, and the cost has to be shared.
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Don Quixote Note:
Coldstream Council Agenda Package Monday March 9: P.57-70 has report on Tax Multripliers (Tax Ratios) in Coldstream as compared to other selected comparative municipalities.
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107.5 KISSFM: Poll- Results FINAL
The Coldstream Ranch is asking the municipality for some tax relief. Ranch owner Keith Balcaen appeared before council Monday to express concern about the farming tax rate. Mayor Jim Garlick says they had looked at the rate again this year before setting the budget. "Historically they've been several times higher than the residential, and that's been because the difference in assessed value of farm land compared to regular residential land, is much lower," says Garlick. Garlick says they're trying to keep some balance between the two, and will likely review it again in the next budget year and compare with other municipalities. He says an additional factor is the large amount of roads that must be maintained, and the cost has to be shared.
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Don Quixote Note:
Coldstream Council Agenda Package Monday March 9: P.57-70 has report on Tax Multripliers (Tax Ratios) in Coldstream as compared to other selected comparative municipalities.
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107.5 KISSFM: Poll- Results FINAL
 Do you think the farming sector is getting a fair deal on property taxes ? | ||
|---|---|---|
| yes | ||
| 23- | 51.1% | |
| no | ||
| 22- | 48.9% | |
| Number of Voters | : 45 |
Wednesday, October 08, 2014
Spallumcheen reviews farm taxes
by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Oct 8, 2014 at 1:00 AM
A contentious tax policy could be changed in Spallumcheen. Council will consider lowering the 2015 farm tax rate to the amount affected by the impact of Bill 8 based on discussions with the provincial government. “We’ve been working on this the whole time,” said Coun. Christine Fraser of concerns that agricultural taxes had skyrocketed. The township raised the class nine tax rate by more than double in 2014 to 11.179 from 5.1531 to counteract the effects of the provincial government’s Bill 8 which provided farmers with $120,000 of tax relief in 2013. Prior to Bill 8, if a resident had farm and out buildings in the operation of class nine land, farmers were given an assessment exemption to a maximum of $50,000. Bill 8 removed the flat rate of $50,000, going instead to a rate that was either going to be the greater number of up to $50,000 or 87.5 per cent of the exemption. The provincial decision cost Spallumcheen about $120,000 in farm tax revenue. “It impacted our community so much more than anyone else,” said Fraser of the fact that Spallumcheen has large tracts of farm land and no commercial area for a tax base. As a result of the lost revenue, taxes for class nine properties were increased. “We don’t know how to recover this kind of money,” said Coun. Todd York. Township officials confronted Community Services Minister Coralee Oakes with the implications of Bill 8 at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Whistler. “We’re very confident that now that they’re aware of what they did to us, and only us, they will rectify the situation,” said York.
A contentious tax policy could be changed in Spallumcheen. Council will consider lowering the 2015 farm tax rate to the amount affected by the impact of Bill 8 based on discussions with the provincial government. “We’ve been working on this the whole time,” said Coun. Christine Fraser of concerns that agricultural taxes had skyrocketed. The township raised the class nine tax rate by more than double in 2014 to 11.179 from 5.1531 to counteract the effects of the provincial government’s Bill 8 which provided farmers with $120,000 of tax relief in 2013. Prior to Bill 8, if a resident had farm and out buildings in the operation of class nine land, farmers were given an assessment exemption to a maximum of $50,000. Bill 8 removed the flat rate of $50,000, going instead to a rate that was either going to be the greater number of up to $50,000 or 87.5 per cent of the exemption. The provincial decision cost Spallumcheen about $120,000 in farm tax revenue. “It impacted our community so much more than anyone else,” said Fraser of the fact that Spallumcheen has large tracts of farm land and no commercial area for a tax base. As a result of the lost revenue, taxes for class nine properties were increased. “We don’t know how to recover this kind of money,” said Coun. Todd York. Township officials confronted Community Services Minister Coralee Oakes with the implications of Bill 8 at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Whistler. “We’re very confident that now that they’re aware of what they did to us, and only us, they will rectify the situation,” said York.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Farmers protest over taxation
by Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star posted Jun 22, 2014 at 1:00 AM
Spallumcheen farmers are digging in against council over a rise in the township’s farm class rate. The township raised the Class 9 rate by more than double in 2014 to 11.179 from 5.1531 to counteract the effects of 2013’s Bill 8 where farmers enjoyed $120,000 of tax relief. Class 9 is land only and if a resident has Class 9 land and has buildings that are being used on the farm, B.C. Assessment would classify the buildings as Class 1 residential. Prior to Bill 8, if a resident had farm and out buildings in the operation of Class 9 land, farmers were given an assessment exemption to a maximum of $50,000. Bill 8 removed the flat rate of $50,000, going instead to a rate that was either going to be the greater number of up to $50,000 or 87.5 per cent of the exemption. Bill 8 cost the township more than $120,000 in farm tax revenue. “We and many farmers have farm buildings with assessment under $50,000 so we were exempt from tax on them for years,” wrote farmer Ronald Bily in a letter to council. “However, now as a result of Spallumcheen trying to recover revenue lost to them by Bill 8, our tax has risen to almost double.” Bily called Spall’s move “unfair taxation.” “It does nothing to help the average farmer in Spallumcheen,” he wrote. Council said earlier this year the township’s agricultural advisory committee recommended the hike as opposed to recovering the revenue through development cost charges. “If Spallumcheen is unable to make up the shortfall by other means, they must make cutbacks in road construction,” said Bily in his letter. “Failing this, farmers may have to rise up and withhold taxes.” The township will be meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture to discuss options for Bill 8.
Spallumcheen farmers are digging in against council over a rise in the township’s farm class rate. The township raised the Class 9 rate by more than double in 2014 to 11.179 from 5.1531 to counteract the effects of 2013’s Bill 8 where farmers enjoyed $120,000 of tax relief. Class 9 is land only and if a resident has Class 9 land and has buildings that are being used on the farm, B.C. Assessment would classify the buildings as Class 1 residential. Prior to Bill 8, if a resident had farm and out buildings in the operation of Class 9 land, farmers were given an assessment exemption to a maximum of $50,000. Bill 8 removed the flat rate of $50,000, going instead to a rate that was either going to be the greater number of up to $50,000 or 87.5 per cent of the exemption. Bill 8 cost the township more than $120,000 in farm tax revenue. “We and many farmers have farm buildings with assessment under $50,000 so we were exempt from tax on them for years,” wrote farmer Ronald Bily in a letter to council. “However, now as a result of Spallumcheen trying to recover revenue lost to them by Bill 8, our tax has risen to almost double.” Bily called Spall’s move “unfair taxation.” “It does nothing to help the average farmer in Spallumcheen,” he wrote. Council said earlier this year the township’s agricultural advisory committee recommended the hike as opposed to recovering the revenue through development cost charges. “If Spallumcheen is unable to make up the shortfall by other means, they must make cutbacks in road construction,” said Bily in his letter. “Failing this, farmers may have to rise up and withhold taxes.” The township will be meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture to discuss options for Bill 8.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Farm tax rate under fire
by Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star posted May 11, 2014 at 1:00 AM
Spallumcheen’s former mayor is concerned the township’s farmers are being treated unfairly. Will Hansma questioned the current council at the end of its regular meeting Monday, a meeting that saw council approve its tax rate bylaw for 2014. The bylaw includes seeing the farm class rate (Class 9) jump from 5.1531, based on per $1,000 of assessment, in 2013 to 11.179 in 2014. “Technically, that’s more than double the assessment,” said Hansma. “If farming truly does come first (township motto), that is a significant increase to farmers. I’m hoping it’s properly explained.” Hansma had been hoping for an amendment to the bylaw, or perhaps the number was actually a typo. Chief financial officer Brian Freeman-Marsh confirmed the rate was accurate and explained the increase in the rate on farm class was to counteract the effects of provincial Bill 8, introduced in 2013, in which farmers enjoyed $120,000 of tax relief in 2013 that everybody else paid for. Class 9 is land only and if a resident has Class 9 land and has buildings that are being used on the farm, B.C. Assessment would classify the buildings as Class 1 residential. Prior to Bill 8, if a resident had farm and out buildings in the operation of Class 9 land, farmers were given an assessment exemption to a maximum of $50,000. Bill 8 did away with the flat rate of $50,000, going, instead, to a rate that was either going to be the greater number of up to $50,000 or 87.5 per cent of the exemption. Bill 8 cost the township more than $120,000 in farm tax revenue. “The effects of Bill 8 on Spallumcheen impacted us by five per cent while some municipalities were only impacted by .5 per cent,” said Coun. Christine Fraser. “It was a huge amount on the big farms that we lost in revenue. The increase was the only way to make things remotely fair.” Fraser agreed with Hansma that the tax rate increase will affect smaller farms in the township, but said council has had discussions with the farmers. “When I personally asked if the tax rate was going to make an impact, they said it wasn’t going to break the bank,” said Fraser. “They said, ‘if we can’t make it at $350 (former assessment), we can’t make it at $550 (after 2014 hike). It was by far the fairest way that we could fix the problem without having a big impact.” Coun. Todd York added that the township’s agricultural advisory committee recommended the hike as opposed to recovering the revenue through development cost charges. Hansma told Spallumcheen council the tax rate increase “will have more of an impact than you think.”
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Note the the different Farm Tax rates in the 3 jurisdictions for 2012 and 2013
Spall changed their tax ratio for farms in 2013 from 1.00 to 1.50.
Coldstream maintained a 4.50 farm tax ratio
Vernon's tax ratio for farms decreased from .26 to .24 !!
Spallumcheen’s former mayor is concerned the township’s farmers are being treated unfairly. Will Hansma questioned the current council at the end of its regular meeting Monday, a meeting that saw council approve its tax rate bylaw for 2014. The bylaw includes seeing the farm class rate (Class 9) jump from 5.1531, based on per $1,000 of assessment, in 2013 to 11.179 in 2014. “Technically, that’s more than double the assessment,” said Hansma. “If farming truly does come first (township motto), that is a significant increase to farmers. I’m hoping it’s properly explained.” Hansma had been hoping for an amendment to the bylaw, or perhaps the number was actually a typo. Chief financial officer Brian Freeman-Marsh confirmed the rate was accurate and explained the increase in the rate on farm class was to counteract the effects of provincial Bill 8, introduced in 2013, in which farmers enjoyed $120,000 of tax relief in 2013 that everybody else paid for. Class 9 is land only and if a resident has Class 9 land and has buildings that are being used on the farm, B.C. Assessment would classify the buildings as Class 1 residential. Prior to Bill 8, if a resident had farm and out buildings in the operation of Class 9 land, farmers were given an assessment exemption to a maximum of $50,000. Bill 8 did away with the flat rate of $50,000, going, instead, to a rate that was either going to be the greater number of up to $50,000 or 87.5 per cent of the exemption. Bill 8 cost the township more than $120,000 in farm tax revenue. “The effects of Bill 8 on Spallumcheen impacted us by five per cent while some municipalities were only impacted by .5 per cent,” said Coun. Christine Fraser. “It was a huge amount on the big farms that we lost in revenue. The increase was the only way to make things remotely fair.” Fraser agreed with Hansma that the tax rate increase will affect smaller farms in the township, but said council has had discussions with the farmers. “When I personally asked if the tax rate was going to make an impact, they said it wasn’t going to break the bank,” said Fraser. “They said, ‘if we can’t make it at $350 (former assessment), we can’t make it at $550 (after 2014 hike). It was by far the fairest way that we could fix the problem without having a big impact.” Coun. Todd York added that the township’s agricultural advisory committee recommended the hike as opposed to recovering the revenue through development cost charges. Hansma told Spallumcheen council the tax rate increase “will have more of an impact than you think.”
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Note the the different Farm Tax rates in the 3 jurisdictions for 2012 and 2013
Spall changed their tax ratio for farms in 2013 from 1.00 to 1.50.
Coldstream maintained a 4.50 farm tax ratio
Vernon's tax ratio for farms decreased from .26 to .24 !!
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| Spall Tax Revenue Changes 2013 vs 2012 |
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| COLDSTREAM Tax Revenue Changes 2013 vs 2012 |
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| Vernon Tax Revenue Changes 2013 vs 2012 |
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Coldstream to Consider Farm Tax Ratio Change at COW meeting Monday
https://coldstream.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=13156
4.d. Tax Multipliers - Farm Property
Report from the Director of Financial Administration dated February 10, 2014
Report from Director of Financial Administration dated February 10, 2014.pdf
Comment: Staff has requested that the Committee recommend to Council one of the options put forth in the report dated February 10, 2014.
4.d. Tax Multipliers - Farm Property
Report from the Director of Financial Administration dated February 10, 2014
Report from Director of Financial Administration dated February 10, 2014.pdf
Comment: Staff has requested that the Committee recommend to Council one of the options put forth in the report dated February 10, 2014.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Vernon’s tax burden will be more than anticipated. Council recently approved a 1.7 per cent tax increase
but it was determined Monday that only refers to the overall hike in the
city’s tax requisition. The actual impact on the average home —
assessed at $333,676 — will be 4.06 per cent in 2012. “I’m quite concerned about this,” said Coun. Bob Spiers. “I am not voting for 4.06 per cent on the average house.” The actual impact will vary based on an individual property’s assessment. While other municipalities provide details of a tax
increase for an average property, city staff did not compile those
details based on the direction of previous councils. Mayor Rob Sawatzky admits the city needs to take steps to ensure transparency. “Confusion serves no one well,” he said, adding some residents may believe their taxes are just going up 1.7 per cent. That is also an issue for Coun. Brian Quiring. “We’re not being clear with the citizens as to what the impact will be,” he said. “To come out now with this, doesn’t look good.” The 2012 budget will not be reopened but a special
meeting will be held April 30 at 1 p.m. to discuss tax ratios for
residential, commercial and industrial classifications. “We will be reviewing the mechanism of how the 1.7 per
cent is raised among taxpayers,” said Sawatzky, adding that the goal is
to ease the burden on residential taxpayers while not placing
significant pressure on their industrial/commercial counterparts. The 2012 budget must be adopted by May 15.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Tax battle with paper company won by B.C. town - Supreme Court of Canada sides with North Cowichan in unanimous decision
The Canadian Press Posted:Jan 20, 2012 3:18 PM PT
The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed an appeal Friday by a paper-making company over the property taxes assessed by a B.C. community against one of its mills. The court sided with North Cowichan District on Vancouver Island in a tax dispute with Catalyst Paper Corp. which had argued its taxes were too high because they bore no relationship to the municipal services it actually used. In a unanimous 7-0 decision, the high court rejected the company's argument, saying the community tax bylaw was not unreasonable and that municipalities can apply different tax rates to different kinds of property. "I conclude that the power of the courts to set aside municipal bylaws is a narrow one and cannot be exercised simply because a bylaw imposes a greater share of the tax burden on some ratepayers than on others," Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin wrote in the decision. McLachlin wrote that courts reviewing bylaws for reasonableness must consider the wide variety of factors municipal councillors may face. "Only if the bylaw is one no reasonable body informed by these factors could have taken will the bylaw be set aside," she said. (more)Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Municipal property taxes - small business feels the squeeze
CFIB June, 2011
Small business owners across BC pay on average, 300 per cent more in property tax than residents with the same value property, according to the latest report issued by CFIB. This is money small business owners ought to be investing in job growth, training and innovation. Instead, it's going to paying an unfair share of the tax burden. That said, latest numbers are showing the gap between what business and residential owners pay is shrinking slightly. Last year's report showed BC's small businesses were paying, on average, 2.94 times more in property tax than residential owners. Now, they're paying 2.79 times more
BC Municipal Property Tax Report 2011 Full Report
Small business owners across BC pay on average, 300 per cent more in property tax than residents with the same value property, according to the latest report issued by CFIB. This is money small business owners ought to be investing in job growth, training and innovation. Instead, it's going to paying an unfair share of the tax burden. That said, latest numbers are showing the gap between what business and residential owners pay is shrinking slightly. Last year's report showed BC's small businesses were paying, on average, 2.94 times more in property tax than residential owners. Now, they're paying 2.79 times more
BC Municipal Property Tax Report 2011 Full Report
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Selected Cities Tax Information 2010
Local Government Tax Rates and Assessments
2010
Schedule701_2010.xls
(54 KB)Assessed ValuesSchedule702_2010.xls
(229 KB)Tax RatesSchedule703_2010.xls
(57 KB)Total Taxes & ChargesSchedule704_2010.xls
(85 KB)Taxes & Charges on a Representative House
Schedule707_2010.xls
(391 KB)Tax BurdenDon Quixote Note: The tax ratio report is comparing Various Cities for 2010 and showing the Various Tax Ratios of the Cities. The larger report shows the breakdown of taxes by assessment class and the tax rate, $ of taxes extracted and % of taxes from each assessment class. There is also a per Capita tax burden. All figures obtained from B.C. Govt. websites.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tax rate options presented to Fort St. John council
Discussions surrounding a tax policy and how the tax burden might shift in various sectors of the city have been major considerations for Fort St. John City Council. On Monday, councillors were presented with possible tax options and how these options would affect the various tax classes within the city, including residential, businesses, light industry and heavy industry. The option that most councillors appeared to favour provides a decrease in the tax share for both light industry and businesses, whereby also increasing the residential tax share, says Mayor Bruce Lantz.The proposed option has an increase in the residential tax rate from 5.05 to 5.16 per cent, along with a decrease in the business class tax rate from 14.37 to 13.98 per cent. Furthermore, the tax rate for light industry would decrease from 28.19 to 25.23 per cent. Overall, the proposed changes would mean residential property owners would be paying almost $800,000 more in 2011, than in 2010. The business class would be paying $3,815 less than it had paid in 2010 and the light industry class would be paying $6,192 less than it had in 2010. If this particular option is approved, the tax share across the three classes would be split with residential property owners covering 44.2 per cent, business owners covering, 48 per cent and light industrial property owners covering 1.19 per cent.
Most of the classes in Fort St. John have seen an increase in the assessment value, including residential, businesses, and light industry. Major industry, however, saw a 3.01 per cent decrease in its assessment value. However, despite any increases that might be considered, Councillor Trevor Bolin proposed having City staff bring forward some further options for phasing in the increases over a three or four year period. Lantz says phasing in the tax shift would decrease the burden on residential property owners, rather than having them see a steep increase all in one year.
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Effect on City of Vernon Taxpayers in Various Classes if Services Moved from NORD to City. (Tax ratio effect only)
-There would be no change to the amount of taxes raised.-These tables only Analyze what would happen to the various classes of taxpayer if the City of Vernon took over a function. (per ep. Tourism or Ec. Dev. Function or Regional UBCO Second Bus)
-Ratios used are for 2010 and naturally can be changed each year by the City's Council during budget deliberations.
-NORD Ratios are set by Provincial Govt. and haven't changed for quite a while.
EFFECT HIGHLIGHTS on a $100,000 Service changed from NORD Taxation to City Taxation:
- Residential Class would have a 9.94% decrease and save $6,697.
- Utilities Class would have an increase of $2785.
- Business Class would have a 13.34% increase of $3,992.
- Lt. Industrial Class would have a 13.12% decrease and save $178.
Don Quixote Note: These tables do not show the effect within any of the classes, of the City taking over a function such as the Recreational function or Fire Dispatch Function that are taxed on the basis of IMPROVEMENTS ONLY at NORD. The City would have to tax these Functions if they came under City Control on the basis of BOTH LAND & Improvements. The effect on an individual taxpayer (Residential or commercial etc) in this case would depend on his land holdings. The effect would be similar to the effect that occurred when the City changed its tax base on the Fire Department Service in 2009. (more on this in a future post) (originally posted 7/6/10)
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Saturday, September 04, 2010
Businesses after cap on taxes
Lachlan Labere - Salmon Arm Observer Published: August 31, 2010 6:00 PM
City of Salmon Arm residential taxpayers could be facing higher taxes down the road as B.C. businesses lobby to cap mill rates. Commenting briefly at last week’s council meeting on the recently released 2009 Annual Report, Coun. Kevin Flynn pointed to a list of the city’s principal taxpayers – a mix of 28 companies – that paid 12.492 per cent or more than $3 million of the total taxes collected that year. Flynn explained that there is ongoing discussion at the Union of B.C. Municipalities about adjusting municipal multiplier rates to address this imbalance. “I think we might be in a position where our major industry multiplier – a cap may be forced on us by the province,” said Flynn.“We’re not sure, but that’s what’s being discussed. And so we may have an impact where we may not be able to charge our major industry the multiplier that we do.”Later, Mayor Marty Bootsma shared with the Observer his concerns over this possible move by the province. “I guess the municipality’s fear is that the province will mandate what the rate will be, and whether or not I agree with a particular rate, what I don’t like to see is that power taken away from the municipalities,” said Bootsma. “Because as soon as we lower one tax, it’s like a balloon, somebody else is going to have to make up the difference, and that’s going to be the residents of course. And of course the residents depend on the businesses – many of them work there.”
A recent study by the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses jumped on B.C. municipalities for overtaxing small businesses. The report claims Salmon Arm is the 68th worst municipality out of 160 for this, and that Salmon Arm businesses, on average, pay three times the amount that residential taxpayers do. “I’m not sure they’re comparing apples to apples,” says Bootsma, noting Salmon Arm residents pay 65 per cent of tax dollars. “For example, we have a parcel tax for transportation, and this is not an ad valorem tax, so a business gets taxed on an equal footing as residents… and that makes a big difference.” Bootsma adds that in 2009 the city compared Salmon Arm’s tax rates with those of Kelowna, Vernon, Kamloops and Nelson and found Salmon Arm’s to be lower. “Obviously businesses would like to pay less and residents would like to pay less, we’d all like to pay less,” said Bootsma.
Friday, July 02, 2010
Catalyst pays its 2010 taxes
Grant Warkentin - Campbell River Mirror Published: July 02, 2010 10:00 AM
Despite filing another legal challenge against the city, Catalyst Paper will pay its full 2010 tax bill in Campbell River. On June 30 the company, which owns the Elk Falls mill, announced it would pay its full property tax bills in three of the four B.C. communities where it operates. In Campbell River, that means Catalyst will pay the city $4.8 million. However, the company recently filed a challenge in court against Campbell River, arguing that the city's tax rates for the portion it collects on behalf of the regional district were too high and were not in line with a previous BC Supreme Court ruling. If Catalyst wins the latest challenge, it could mean a $453,000 reduction in the company's taxes. And although Catalyst is paying its bill here, it's not paying the full bill for its Crofton mill in the District of North Cowichan."In light of its continued pursuit of a legal remedy regarding the North Cowichan tax levy, Catalyst will pay $1.5 million to that municipality in addition to all property taxes collected by the municipality on behalf of other governments," says a company news release.
The company is also calling for province-wide tax reform. "Since Catalyst launched legal actions in 2009, a growing number of organizations have championed the need for a more sensible BC municipal tax structure," said Kevin J. Clarke, the company's new president and CEO, in the news release. "Competitive taxation keeps companies and communities viable in the post-recession economy. This helps preserve existing jobs and it creates the right conditions for new ones." Since Catalyst Paper first refused to pay its full tax bill in 2009, setting off a series of legal challenges, other corporations and associations have come forward to complain about the property tax system in B.C. The provincial Chamber of Commerce, the Business Council of BC and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business have all called for tax reform in the province."What began as a trickle last year has turned into a tidal wave," Clarke said. "B.C. aims to attract business with a host of provincial benefits. But to operate here long-term, a business must eventually sink roots into a municipality, and that's when the decision to locate in B.C. can come back to haunt a company and its local, national and international investors. That's because B.C.'s on-the-ground industrial taxation levels are investment killers, job killers, and community killers, and jurisdictions competing with B.C. know it."
A provincial government-appointed task force is currently reviewing how major industries are taxed, and will report in September. "The results of this review will have to be game-changing for B.C.," Clarke said. "A report that delays, denies or that fails to produce results that enable B.C. industry to compete in the post-recession global economy would erase all the provincial government's investment-attraction efforts to date."
The Elk Falls mill has been shut down since early 2009, and the kraft pulp mill has been shut down since 2008. The company has been trying to persuade the remaining union employees to accept a deal which will reduce their wages and benefits, but allow two paper machines to start up again. So far the two sides have not reached an agreement.
Catalyst's tax bills
- PAID Campbell River: $4.8 million
- PAID Port Alberni: $5.2 million
- PAID Powell River: $3 million
- PAID Snowflake, Arizona: $747,000
- UNPAID North Cowichan: $6.5 million (Catalyst will pay $1.5 million of the bill, for now)
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Regional District Property Tax Ratios compared to Vernon & Coldstream's Tax Ratios (2009)
1. Provincial Class Multiples for 2010
Provincial class multiples to be used in setting tax rates for regional district requisitions (and improvement district requisitions, where applicable) levied on the hospital assessment base for 2010 are unchanged from 2009. The multiples established by British Columbia Regulations 426/2003 and 439/2003 are as follows:
Local Government Statistics
Provincial class multiples to be used in setting tax rates for regional district requisitions (and improvement district requisitions, where applicable) levied on the hospital assessment base for 2010 are unchanged from 2009. The multiples established by British Columbia Regulations 426/2003 and 439/2003 are as follows:
| Property Class | Class Multiple | |
| 1. | Residential | 1.00:1 |
| 2. | Utilities | 3.50:1 |
| 3. | Supportive Housing | 1.00:1 |
| 4. | Major Industry | 3.40:1 |
| 5. | Light Industry | 3.40:1 |
| 6. | Business and Other | 2.45:1 |
| 7. | Managed Forest Land | 3.00:1 |
| 8. | Recreation/Non-Profit | 1.00:1 |
| 9. | Farm | 1.00:1 |
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