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It's that time of year again when city staff presents city council with their list of how to dispose of tax dollars for the next five years, and council pretends to be concerned (some of them) and traditionally will ask Nanaimo taxpayers whether they would like to see their houses burn down or be broken into, as reducing levels of service seems the only way they know to reduce taxes.
The above graphic shows some interesting information about Nanaimo taxes you won't necessarily hear anyone on council discussing. Some, such as Councillor Greves don't think they have enough to spend now, so don't look to him to try and find any way to hold the line on taxes, ditto with several others on council.
Affordable? Sustainable? By Whose Standard?
The average Nanaimo household has to handle their finances by first figuring out how much they have to spend and then figuring out by priority how that money will be spent. Not so, for the tax and spend crew at city hall. They figure out what they want to spend on, and then simply provide the taxpayer the bill to insure they have the desired amount to spend.
Is this method of operation affordable for the average Nanaimo taxpayer? Is is sustainable? How exactly does city hall determine what is either affordable or sustainable?
Some Interesting Facts To Consider
2001 - 2012 taxes up 75%
2001 - 2017 taxes up 115%
Wages & Benefits have gone up 74% from 2001 - 2011
2001 - 2012 inflation is up 25.4%
2001 - 2013 population has gone up 14.5%
Wages & Benefits have risen at 3 times the rate of inflation.
City taxes & fees have risen at 3 times the rate of inflation
HOW MUCH HAVE YOUR WAGES RISEN SINCE 2001?
HOW MUCH HAVE YOUR SERVICES INCREASES SINCE 2001?
I think you should run for City Council.
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