My concern is that with projected regional growth and an expected rise in property values, assessments will continue to rise and taxes will become even more outrageous than they already are. A while back it was brought to my attention that one of our city managers may have sabotaged an initiative that was designed to be a significant cost saving measure and if that is truly the case then it’s unfortunate that we would have to pay through the nose for this mismanagement.
There is a pretty good thread discussing the tax increase in the Northern BC Forum. Perhaps MIG will link the threads.
My question now is where is our hard-hitting investigative newspaper reporters? Why do they not do a survey of other municipalities to see if those municipalities are playing the same game as our Counci? Why do they not ask a question or two at a Council meeting? The paper seems to have lost any ability to do critical analysis. Instead they do joint infomercials with the Port Authority.
I do not live in Prince Rupert, I had to move for work. However, I still own a house there. This ploy of Council is really underhanded, and I hope people will take them to task in the budget consultation process.
Welcome to HTMF, ShelleyRobin! 
I am also dismayed by the ever increasing taxes. Our votes can bring about change. Let us get out and vote in November.
kind of funny when property values went down and the mill rate went up the Mayor at the time said taxes are not going up because you are paying the same amount, now the opposite is true, mill rate stays the same values increase so you pay more in taxes and the Mayor says taxes are not going up because the mill rate is staying the same. So Mr Mayor which statement is true?
[quote=“Pantagruel”]There is a pretty good thread discussing the tax increase in the Northern BC Forum. Perhaps MIG will link the threads.
[/quote]
There is an interesting screen shot on that thread of the proposed budget showing the tax increase as a “market change”. If it’s not BC Assessment that raised your taxes it is some anonymous, impersonal force called ‘the market’; but not the elected City council that is mandated by law to set the mill rate that actually determines your taxes.
So where is our resident “people’s councilor” Anna Ashley to provide her comment?
She is a teacher, surely she is not dumb enough to think the people who voted for her are actually falling for this crap?
Surely you would have something to say about this?
[quote=“Green Bastard”]If you all only knew of the colossal waste of money that goes on at the city works maintenance yard you would be flaberghasted AUDIT!!!
How many of you have seen the new zamboni that was purchased working in the arena? I havent seen it for months. Why, because its broken and no one knows how to fix it!
How many of you have seen the new wheeled excavator that the city purchased to the tune of 300,000 plus being put to work? not me its too high to fit under the power lines, so we must rent a machine from local contractors at additional cost. How about installing new tires on trucks because they are not the prefered brand? Corruption Corruption Corruption! time for a provincial audit of this joke of a city hall and its associated counciling clowns![/quote]
I can see the story now (press release printed verbatim by the View, with no investigating): Mayor Jack Mussallem said “we have heard concerns from the public about waste in public works and, so, City Manager Bob Long will create a consultant job for another one of his buddies from Nanaimo. Mr. Horne needs not feel threatened.”
Hello everyone,
Yes I have been paying attention to what is being said on htmf regarding this issue. Unfortunately I was in Langley at provincials with my junior girls basketball team during the last council meeting and did not have the opportunity to ask any questions or voice any concerns over the budget when it was presented.
I have sent a number of questions and concerns to the rest of council and staff regarding the budget, and in particular with regard to the issue around the mill rate. Similar concerns and questions were asked by several other councillors at the meeting who, I believe, share the same concerns that people have been expressing on here regarding the mill rate. Despite my concerns, however, I am confident that as a group, council and staff will be able to work together to address the questions and concerns that have been raised following the first presentation of the budget last week and make whatever changes are necessary.
I absolutely agree that BC assessment property value increases cannot, and should not, be blamed for tax increases. Council is the governing body who determines the level of taxation needed to run the city, based on the information presented to us by staff, as well as the viewpoints expressed by the people of Prince Rupert, and we need to be accountable for those decisions.
In my opinion, which I believe is shared by many on council, the best way to do this is by adjusting the mill rate to account for fluctuations caused by increases and/or decreases in bc assessment property values, and then determine our budgetary needs based on that adjustment. There are obviously different approved methods that municipalities can use to formulate their budgets and figure out taxation rates, however, I feel adjusting the mill rate is the easiest to understand, and therefore the most transparent.
In the past, at least while I have been on council, when property values have increased as a result of bc assessment, the mill rate has been adjusted in order to reflect those increases. This, I believe, in turn, gives everyone a more accurate picture of what the proposed budget will cost the city and how much, if any, taxes would need to go up as a result. Council can then look more closely at the budget and determine their options in determining the amount of taxation needed to serve the city’s needs, and whether that means cutting spending, increasing service fees, or raising taxes. As a result people can give informed feedback on the options council comes up with, regarding the budget, during the public consultations. This allows for those of us on council to consider what people have said before making our final decisions on the budget.
The good news is that the budget process is just starting so there is plenty of time for asking questions, voicing concerns, and making adjustments, as well as to give those of us on council feedback so we can make changes. I would encourage everyone that has questions, concerns or suggestions to please share those with all of us on council. Every one of us on council was voted in to represent your views and opinions when it comes to making decisions regarding our city, and the budget is the biggest one of those decisions.
The first opportunity for public comment on the budget is this Monday evening, March 10th at 7. There will be a second opportunity on March 24th when 1st and 2nd reading of the budget will be done. On April 7th there will still be opportunities for revisions to be made as we have 3rd reading. The proposed final budget adoption is scheduled for April 14th. If council is still not satisfied we can schedule another meeting, as well ,since the legislated deadline for adopting the budget is May 15th. At this point in time, the budget is far from being finalized and there is a lot of time for input and revisions.
I hope this helps alleviate at least some of your concerns. If you have any further questions, concerns or suggestions my email is anna.ashley@princerupert.ca . I’m also the only Ashley in the phone book if you want to talk to me.
I hope everyone has a good weekend. Hope to see many of you on Monday.
Sincerely,
Anna Ashley
Thanks for the reply Anna. My utilities bill is higher this year. I am hopeful that you and the other council members will indeed take another look at taxes this year and reassess the need for a hefty increase.
There was an interesting editorial published in the Northern View. The editorial said that the proposed upcoming tax increase is political suicide. I certainly will not vote for anyone who supports the proposed tax increase.
[quote=“AnnaA”]Hello everyone,
Yes I have been paying attention to what is being said on htmf regarding this issue. Unfortunately I was in Langley at provincials with my junior girls basketball team during the last council meeting and did not have the opportunity to ask any questions or voice any concerns over the budget when it was presented.
I have sent a number of questions and concerns to the rest of council and staff regarding the budget, and in particular with regard to the issue around the mill rate. Similar concerns and questions were asked by several other councillors at the meeting who, I believe, share the same concerns that people have been expressing on here regarding the mill rate. Despite my concerns, however, I am confident that as a group, council and staff will be able to work together to address the questions and concerns that have been raised following the first presentation of the budget last week and make whatever changes are necessary.
I absolutely agree that BC assessment property value increases cannot, and should not, be blamed for tax increases. Council is the governing body who determines the level of taxation needed to run the city, based on the information presented to us by staff, as well as the viewpoints expressed by the people of Prince Rupert, and we need to be accountable for those decisions.
In my opinion, which I believe is shared by many on council, the best way to do this is by adjusting the mill rate to account for fluctuations caused by increases and/or decreases in bc assessment property values, and then determine our budgetary needs based on that adjustment. There are obviously different approved methods that municipalities can use to formulate their budgets and figure out taxation rates, however, I feel adjusting the mill rate is the easiest to understand, and therefore the most transparent.
In the past, at least while I have been on council, when property values have increased as a result of bc assessment, the mill rate has been adjusted in order to reflect those increases. This, I believe, in turn, gives everyone a more accurate picture of what the proposed budget will cost the city and how much, if any, taxes would need to go up as a result. Council can then look more closely at the budget and determine their options in determining the amount of taxation needed to serve the city’s needs, and whether that means cutting spending, increasing service fees, or raising taxes. As a result people can give informed feedback on the options council comes up with, regarding the budget, during the public consultations. This allows for those of us on council to consider what people have said before making our final decisions on the budget.
The good news is that the budget process is just starting so there is plenty of time for asking questions, voicing concerns, and making adjustments, as well as to give those of us on council feedback so we can make changes. I would encourage everyone that has questions, concerns or suggestions to please share those with all of us on council. Every one of us on council was voted in to represent your views and opinions when it comes to making decisions regarding our city, and the budget is the biggest one of those decisions.
The first opportunity for public comment on the budget is this Monday evening, March 10th at 7. There will be a second opportunity on March 24th when 1st and 2nd reading of the budget will be done. On April 7th there will still be opportunities for revisions to be made as we have 3rd reading. The proposed final budget adoption is scheduled for April 14th. If council is still not satisfied we can schedule another meeting, as well ,since the legislated deadline for adopting the budget is May 15th. At this point in time, the budget is far from being finalized and there is a lot of time for input and revisions.
I hope this helps alleviate at least some of your concerns. If you have any further questions, concerns or suggestions my email is anna.ashley@princerupert.ca . I’m also the only Ashley in the phone book if you want to talk to me.
I hope everyone has a good weekend. Hope to see many of you on Monday.
Sincerely,
Anna Ashley[/quote]
Thank you very much for commenting…it was a very much needed response.
Glad to know you are not as out to lunch as our mayor is…so again thank you and I look forward to seeing you take up the fight for the Rupert taxpayers.
Bring Back Herb Pond !!! With him we would have had a bridge by now , 20 LNG plants !!! Phase 8 of the container ports and a population to rival that of Vancouvers lol