Once again, cities across B.C. are reaching out to taxpayers to get their opinions on city spending.
It’s a nice ritual that gives people a chance to sound off on how their tax dollars are spent and what they can live with for tax increases, and probably prevents a tax revolt.
In Port Moody, there will be town hall meeting on Tuesday on the topic of budgets. In Port Coquitlam, residents have until Feb. 12 to comment on a draft budget, with proposed tax and levies ranging from 1.23% to 1.29% for homes. Coquitlam already went through this process in September for the 2018 budget, which resulted in a 2.06% increase or $46 on the average home.
This is the time to pay attention to these sorts of details and to understand what goes into the budget, what is planned, and congratulate or protest if necessary.
Waiting until July 1, when taxes are due, is too late to participate.
It may seem like these consultations are meaningless because a tax hike is typically the end result but if you truly don’t support what’s going on or even if you do, this is your opportunity to speak up and be heard.
