To the editor,
Re: City to explore user-pay system for stormwater, Dec. 1.
It is that time of the year when the City of Nanaimo puts on its spending shoes and races to outspend the last council.
They first start with the old smoke and mirrors saying the tax increase will be under four per cent, then after further review, by adding only ‘much-needed’ items, it is now 5.9 per cent. Then come all the non-tax increases called user fees like water, sewer, waste collection (14 per cent increase) etc. They are now thinking of no longer paying for storm water collection with tax dollars but add it to the non-tax items of user pays so they can increase it as they wish and it will not affect the percent of tax increase for that year.
Good news for the one per cent who ride bikes that if any extra fees are needed for bike lanes it will not come from user fees like so many other items but from the reserve fund which the city will remind you does not need to be repaid in 2022 taxes. They talk about the reserve fund like magical free money that was never taken from the taxpayers’ pockets and never has to be replaced. How nice but not true.
Terrence Wagstaff, Nanaimo
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Tax increases compounding
The views and opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the writer and do not reflect the views of Black Press or the Nanaimo News Bulletin.
Letters policy: Letters should be no longer than 250 words and will be edited. Preference is given to letters expressing an opinion on issues of local relevance or responding to items published in the News Bulletin. Include your address (it won’t be published) and a first name or two initials, and a surname. Unsigned letters will not be published.
Mail: Letters, Nanaimo News Bulletin, 777 Poplar St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9S 2H7
Fax: 250-753-0788
E-mail: editor@nanaimobulletin.com