Good News, Bad News Hidden Taxes in the Crowsnest Pass

Yesterday I received some information regarding the triennial budget, Information that I had requested from the Municipality back in June. Big thanks to CAO Myron Thompson and his staff for getting that to me.

First, the good news there is no projected Utility Rate Increases for 2013-2014 (Water, Sewer, Garbage, Recycling)

The Bad News our Franchise Fees will be going up next year, the fee we pay on our Gas bills that is then handed over to the municipality will increase next year by 75% which will take an additional $211,980 out of the taxpayers pockets.

The fee we pay on our power bill will be increasing by 43%, which will take a further $124,965 out of the taxpayer’s pockets.

That means in total an additional $336,945 will leave our bank accounts and be used to feed the municipalities appetite.  

The only bright note from this is that the municipality will have reached the maximum it can charge for Franchise Fees at that point, so barring a change in regulations by the provincial government it will not go any higher.

Above I have just indicated what the increase in Franchise Fees will be for next year. In total Franchise Fees collected in 2013 will be $906,694 or roughly $285 per household.

Rest of the Tax Increase is on the way.

Well it is coming last night first reading was done on increasing our Water/Sewer rates by 4.5% and our garbage by an additional 3%.
Plus another first reading was also done on increasing our electrical rates by 6%.

Councilor Gallant gave a little speech about having keep pace with the rate of inflation, does anybody know of an area in Canada that saw that kind of inflation rate increase last year? If you do please let me know.

Taxes in the Crowsnest Pass

Hearing through the grapevine we are looking at the following:
Three year tax increases of 2.5%, 2.5%, 2.5%
Water + Sewer rate increases of 4.5%
Electric rate increases of 6%

More to follow.