The Editor:
Re: https://www.tricitynews.com/local-business/coquitlam-property-taxes-utility-rates-set-to-rise-126-in-2022-4840256 (Dec. 7, 2021).
When most taxpayers in Coquitlam are facing major expenses for everyday living, they do not have a source where extra spending can be tapped to cover their living expenses.
But Coquitlam mayor and council are proposing and will pass major projects and reconciliation with Indigenous people. With respect to Indigenous people, we have all felt the effects of history and acknowledge something has to be done. Indigenous people have fallen under the federal government, which will face the monetary aspect of reconciliation.
What financial effect will be placed on taxpayers by having an expensive new intergovernmental relations manager and staff?
The B.C. government has in place staffing to cover this topic and the city should review the duplication of responsibilities here.
What is the cost? Seems the taxpayer is faced with double taxes from the federal government, provincial government — and now Coquitlam wants to get into the mix for more taxes on residents.
The increase in property taxes is reflected at a $74 increase, which is on properties valued at under $1 million. If your property is valued at more than $1 million then the tax payable will increase proportionally and more than $74.
The city is starting a new development stabilization reserve fund using a portion of its 2021 tax growth revenues. This reserve fund will assist in reducing significant fluctuations in property taxes in future years. This would seem to be as a result of overspending and taxpayers picking up the deficit!
Are development revenues now being used for items other than former policy? What is the cost for management and support staff here? Seems taxpayers are funding this reserve, which is actually surplus property taxes as well. How much property tax revenue for 2021 will be used here?
A new childcare partnership strategy with new youth services coordinator and new community planning staff to support many of these initiatives.
What is the cost? Seems this will be a duplication of promises by the federal and B.C. governments.
A new manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with support staff to be added. Is this in conjunction with B.C and federal policies? And what is the cost? Why duplication of responsibilities?
New major capital funding strategy for projects that are not eligible for development cost charge funding. The strategy includes borrowing from the city's internal reserves that will be paid for from development and not taxes.The reserves are actually taxpayers' comfort source of funds and should not be used to support developers.
If the funds from the developer are not paid and as stated, these would be treated as a loan to the developer from taxpayers' major capital funding strategy reserve fund. Any security for these loan funds? Seems taxpayers are funding this reserve which is actually surplus property taxes as well. What is the cost?
The city also used reserve funds for some priorities in 2022 to minimize the impact on property taxes. Interesting to see some of our reserve funds 2021 being used for future expenditures before the new budget for 2022!
It would be expected that this statement should be followed by a clear understanding of the dollars used and purpose.
As final reading of this budget was made on Dec. 13, we presume all is done!
- Elwin Mowry, Coquitlam
