Summerland鈥檚 finances were under the microscope on Feb. 9 at a town hall meeting organized by the Summerland Society for Civic Engagement.
The venue at Twisted Whiskers Cafe in Summerland was full, with some representatives from Summerland council in attendance. The organizers are not affiliated with Summerland鈥檚 municipal government.
The meeting came in response to the most recent Summerland municipal budget, with a tax increase of 7.25 per cent. This budget has not yet been finalized.
Speaking through a video link, Carson Binda, British Columbia director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said tax increases leave taxpayers with less money to put toward groceries, savings and local businesses.
鈥淭ax hikes cost you and your family money,鈥� he said.
He said one in five British Columbia families are food insecure, one in three are unable to afford all the necessities of life and around half of all Canadians have less than $200 in savings.
Binda said Summerland鈥檚 tax increase is considerably higher than Vancouver and 麻豆精选, with both cities increasing taxes by less than five per cent.
Terrace, with a tax increase of 7.6 per cent, and Prince Rupert, with a 6.4 per cent increase, are closer to Summerland鈥檚 tax increase.
Earlier, Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes said the district's proposed tax increase is lower than most communities in the Okanagan Valley, and the property tax bill for a home in the community is lower than the amount charged for a property of the same value in 麻豆精选, Peachland, Vernon or Penticton.
Binda said the tax increase in Summerland is considerably higher than the rate of inflation, which was 1.8 per cent last year.
鈥淕overnments need to differentiate between wants and needs,鈥� he said.
Binda encouraged those present to file Freedom of Information requests to find out information about public spending.
However, Coun. Richard Barkwill, who was present at the meeting, said much of the information on public spending and budgets is already available. 鈥淪tart with just a simple ask,鈥� he said.
Amie Harbor, president of the Summerland Society for Civic Engagement, said the municipal budget should be revisited.
She said an unexpected increase in a sewer project cost and the unknown results of the alternative approval process on two borrowing requests should both be considered.
She added that there are structural issues within the budget, and that residents of Summerland are asking for more time to share their ideas.
Harbor said the cumulative effect of tax increases is noticeable, as taxes have risen by more than 20 per cent in the past five years.
鈥淲e鈥檙e asking for an increased focus on fiscal responsibility on core services,鈥� she said.
While Summerland council is working to approve its budget by Feb. 25, Harbor said the provincial deadline for completing the budget is May 15.
