Property Taxes
| Candidate | Property taxes levels? |
|---|---|
 Carlson Jeff |
I have worked hard over the last term to ensure taxes remain as low as possible. However, taxes must be sufficient to cover services and service levels that Lethbridge residents expect. In order to significantly lower taxes, these services and service levels would have to be reduced. The largest expenditures of Tax Dollars are spent in the areas of Police, Fire, E.M.S and Transit; I do not believe most residents of Lethbridge wish to see these services drastically reduced. Current Council is always searching for efficiencies in how City services are managed and delivered, and we will continue to do so. |
 Coffman Jeffrey |
While there is a direct relationship between taxes paid and services received, property tax revenues should support primary and essential services provided to citizens. Only after reviewing and analyzing the current tax – service relationship can we determine if the level of taxation is appropriate for service delivery. One possible way of mitigating tax increases would be to reduce or completely freeze the new, tax-supported initiatives of Council until previous initiatives have been reviewed and measured for their effectiveness and success. See www.jeffcoffman.ca/issues_lethbridgeaccountability for updates on this issue. |
 Dodic Rajko Mayor |
Annually, the City of Edmonton conducts a review of property taxes and utility rates in Alberta and Canada. There are a number of charts of interest in the 2009 report including one titled ‘Average Property Tax for All Single Detached Houses in Canada’ where Lethbridge is ranked the sixth lowest of 20 communities with only Medicine Hat being lower and Calgary , Edmonton, Red Deer and Grande Prairie in Alberta being higher. The fact is that statistics can be used by almost anyone to support whatever position they are advocating. The reality is also that people would like to see taxes either reduced or increases kept at a minimum. This is a challenge I am willing to undertake but I provide a cautionary note that, often times, politicians that advocate lower taxes fail to point out that the level of services may be negatively affected as a result. |
 Ellis Faron |
Have been increasing over the course of the last three year budget at unsustainable rates. I will advocate for a zero percent increase in property taxes over the next three-year budget cycle. Support a three-year budget cycle process and will advocate that Lethbridge move to a zero-based budgeting process. Please see www.faronellis.com for a more complete position statement. |
 Iwaskiw Liz |
Lethbridge has seen tax increases year after year after year and I think we have all had enough. It is the responsibility of council to set the priorities and the responsibility of administration to implement them so at budget time I propose that council say no tax increase for the next three years and it is then the administration’s job to present a plan to council to make that happen. Period. |
 Mauro Joe |
Really needs to be revisited and made fair. |
 Mearns Bridget |
I have heard some people complain that they were denied access to sales information the city has available to them, and that the appeals process is stacked against the home owner. I think the big concern to do with taxes, though, is not seeing value for them. Taxes continue to rise and yet there appears to be no corresponding increase in services or benefits. I am encouraging an Operational Audit of all City of Lethbridge departments to eliminate redundancies, inefficiencies and waste. |
 Parker Ryan |
If needed, we should try to keep tax increases in line with inflation. |
 Wickersham Tom |
I do not believe property tax increases can be sustained in difficult economic times. However, our property taxes include 25 % Provincial Education Tax. A $2500 property tax has 25% Education tax which leaves a municipality $1850 or $154 per month for funding some main services which include, essential services for our community. |
What is your position on property taxes levels?