Editor:
Re: Surrey property tax bills on rise, Jan. 29.
Within a month of the last municipal election, Surrey’s mayor announced a $100 annual levy on all taxpayers because she didn’t realize before her election that sports, culture and recreational facilities in the region actually needed funds to operate.
Now comes word that this council is abandoning its commitment in the five-year financial plan to increase property taxes in 2016 by 2.9 per cent, instead increasing them by 3.9 per cent. And, as usual, they provide excuses why this is necessary. At the same time, they announce proposed increase in the city’s capital expenditures, notably arenas, ice rinks, libraries and museums.
Of course, nowhere is there even a hint of any reduction in expenditures.
Where have these people been the last year or so? We are in an economic downturn, likely leading to another recession and possibly worse. But this band continues on their merry way of spending our hard-arned money with abandonment.
In tough economic times, fiscally responsible people cut back and control expenses. Not Surrey city council of course. After all, it’s our money they are throwing around.
Cannot some of the capital projects identified wait awhile until the economy improves?
That would be the prudent thing to do, but this bunch doesn’t know the meaning of the word.
Its time for the citizens of Surrey to demand a stop to this out-of-control budgeting.
We will not forget this recklessness come the next municipal election – when once again these politicians will try and buy us off with our own money.
Don Campbell, Surrey