Further to the May 26 letter “Saanich tax increase not necessary” by David Ward.
The gross taxes (without Homeowner Grants deducted) increased from $3,248 in 2012 to $4,566.76 payable in 2017 on the same property. That is a whopping increase of over 40 per cent in the past six years.
If you take into consideration that our garbage/recycling fees are no longer included with the payment of the property taxes, the total we pay for water, sewer, garbage/recycling removal and property taxes increases even more.
In the meantime, both the federal and provincial governments have dramatically decreased taxes payable for income levels between $20,000 and 100,000 (I didn’t calculate higher income levels) in the years between 2011 and 2016. My calculations are available for anyone interested.
I think we all know that just because there is a drastic increase in the ‘assessed value’ of our properties, our property taxes will not automatically increase by the same percentage. The property tax we pay is calculated as the assessed value times the mill rate (taxes payable per $1,000 of property value).
When there is such a dramatic increase in the market value of our homes as we have seen in the last few years, it is up to the municipality to act fiscally responsible and lower the mill rate. It is high time for the municipal government of the District of Saanich to reduce its inflationary spending habits and cut the taxes. If not, it’s definitely time for a new council.
Eleanor Walker
Saanich