Rumour is it could be a tough year for Okotoks homeowners who could be facing a double-digit property tax increase this year.
However, it is up to council to provide direction to administration to ensure the hike is not punitive.
At its regular meeting on Sept. 12 Coun. Matt Rockley tabled a motion to limit any increase in property taxes to growth plus inflation.
The motion was defeated in a tie vote.
Perhaps putting in a bylaw limiting any potential tax increase was not the right move, but the idea of the motion was right in spirit. Amid fears of a double-digit tax increase, council should be sending a clear message to administration this is not acceptable.
However, the reaction from some members of council was quite the opposite.
Coun. Ed Sands, chair of the Town’s budget and finance committee, said he voted against Rockley’s motion because he did not want to tie administration’s hands.
On the contrary, that is exactly what council should be doing.
If council does not want a double-digit tax increase they need to direct administration not to bring them a preliminary budget which includes such an increase. Why waste council’s time?
Administration should be asked to find inefficiencies in Town operations, tighten spending or even cut programs to keep the tax increase down.
Mayor Bill Robertson saw the merit in the motion saying it would have given administration direction in preparing the budget.
Exactly. So. although the motion was defeated, council will hopefully have a united front in championing for a manageable tax increase.
Admittedly, cutting programs is never popular, but it may be a necessary evil.
Robertson said he hoped the Town would be able to maintain the same service levels and keep the potential tax increase to a minimum.
However, when times are tough council is forced to make difficult decisions and cutbacks are among them.
If cutting back on the snow removal budget, for example, helps keep the property tax increase under 10 per cent would that not be worthwhile?
Whether they choose cutbacks, tax increases or both, council will get some backlash, but it is their job to find the balance and provide administration with clear direction on what they want to see in the budget.
