So I posted a question a few days ago regarding the sentiment out there regarding the pool. It looks like many of you are very much in support of having the full upgrade, however there were many posts regarding the financial concerns associated with the upgrade. Thank you to both camps btw for your feedback. There also seemed to be some confusion regarding the tax issue. Just to clarify, for those of you who pay property taxes, you would see an increase in the Taxing Jurisdiction line on your tax bill called Memorial Complex. This is where the increase would occur since the CRD will hold the debt (or call it loan) for this money and tax payers within the catchment area of the pool both inside the city and in the fringe areas of CRD are. If we have to borrow for the entire amount as an example, my overall taxes on my personal home would increase by aprox. $100 per year and my business taxes would go up between $200-$250 per year. My next question is if you ARE a property owner (please clarify if you are or are not) and If you are in favour of this tax increase to support the full upgrade ($11 million +) do you think that there should be a system in place for Seniors who own their own homes and are on fixed incomes to apply for a reduction in this increase? Keeping in mind they do get the 65+ and over eligibility grant currently, but many are at their maximum budget already. I have recently been told by two seniors that if their taxes go up any further, they will be forced to sell their homes. They have enough money each month to buy groceries and they have said that adding another $80-$200 per year on taxes will really impact them. So any appetite out there for investigating this option perhaps to help them out? Possibly shifting more of the burden to higher income families? I dont know if such a thing is even possible under the current taxation system, but I told the gals I would put it out there and get some feedback. Oh and BTW, before Darrick C Boyes gets all fired up again....in answer to his question, I will say again...I am prsonally only in favour of the full upgrade if we can afford to pay for it. At this point in time, I do not have an answer for that, so I cannot give you a definite answer. Part if it is dependent on donations, which apparently none of the companies are willing to disclose until the vote takes place. I love the idea, I think we need the upgrade. Can we afford it?....I dont know. I agree that putting band aids on pigs is never a wise choice, but Ive seen our debt load and frankly it scares the hell out of me. Yes the money for this upgrade will sit on the CRD books, but the tax increases will be on our tax bills. We still have to pay for it, no matter who we borrow from. For those folks making big bucks working lets say as managers for large trucking companies....it may not have a major impact on their overall finances. For retirees and low income property owners....its huge. And our city leaders need to keep all of our citizens in mind when making these types of decisions. The good thing is, this decision gets to be made BY THE PEOPLE. They get to vote to decide...not the politicians. I will be willing to work with whatever the end decision is. If elected...I will help fund raise for either option. The job of politicians is to carry out the will of the people, not the other way around. So it matters not what I want Darrick Boyes...it matters what YOU want. Ill be out on the campaign trail now, but look forward to hearing what you all have to say later. Oh...and try to keep it on thread guys....man you all have a way of wandering off into the woods....lol.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 17:33:51 +0000
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