- - - - - - - Langley Free Press Welcomes Your Comments - - - - - - - - - Name Email URL is optional
Newly developed areas of the township should be taxed at a higher rate for a set period of time (say 10 years for example). At the end of that period they would then pay the same rate as the established community. The extra revenue would pay for the infrastructure required to accomodate the newly developed areas. An old solution, but a reasonable one.
Why the tax rate didn't get higher play in the last election issue is beyond me.
Keep pushing this, Kim. And loudly, at that. We don't have enough voices at the Township table decrying these tax rate increases.
I noticed that a couple of other councillor's stated they were against tax increases when they were running for the position, however, they seem to be the first ones to second a motion to keep spending, buying, wanting, all these things that cost us money. I agree with MT and say let all this new infrastructure and the develpments pay their own way.
Kurt is trying to put a feather in his cap to have the biggest and the best, but it is on the backs of us taxpayers that he is doing this. I didn't want a golf course, I didn't want a 'taj mahal townhall', I didn't want a restaurant, I didn't want to go over hundreds of thousands on McLeod park etc., etc. Where will it all end? It just seems like we have to have the best when actually, average would work just fine. Or, make do until the money is available. Isn't that what we have to do with our own budgets?
I bet your property went up in value more than 41.5% compare a 2007 house with the same value as your 2001 house value.
Could home values go down just as fast too? Don't ever say never! Bet home taxes wouldn't though! Fixed income Langley seniors are at this moment house rich and hopefully not cash poor!
In the meantime $1000 or $2500 annual home tax increase to a pensioner means an extra $90 to $200 a month more to pay for an overall monthly financial requirement of within $250 to $450 a month in home taxes alone! Add in rising utilities cost, repair & upkeep and thats overall a considerable burden for them on fixed income. This is something that our Township council obviously dosn't care about or even want to care about! Proof is that they are still planning similar long term tax increases!
Meanwhile these poor taxppayers are forced to watch this council buy a golf course, restaurants/bars and build multi million monuments to their egos which invariably go over budget big time, with their hard earned tax dollars.
As Methinks says the big hikes go to long term residents more so than short term new residents who are essentially subsidizing the new comers. As Richter says things like the storm water tax is the fault of new unchecked developement and the burden to pay for it again rests on the long term residents. The joke is the only thing you can fault them for is having elected this Tax, Spend & borrow Township council! And the longer term residents for the great majority don't benefit from the Council's unchecked borrowing and spending.
In summary under any circumstances how can any municipality ever justify 40% or 50% tax increases within a 7 year period! Don't forget their spending & borrowing is still climbing and within another 4 to 7 years the annual tax rate can realistically essentially DOUBLE! Hope you don't plan to retire at that time. Start budgeting now to see if you like many Langleyites today can AFFORD to remain in their long term homes!
And Kim Richter's house has gone up significant % value converted in to actual dollars means huge personal profits for her and the family when they sell! HUM....I hate development, resist paying taxes, maybe living in a mole hole with no infrastructure improvments, road work, fulltime fire etc. would be the world for me!!!! Fortunately for the masses (maybe it is time for the LFP family to move to Abbotsford and try their 16% increase)they see that we have to move ahead with the times and make life more livable and this costs money(inflation takes care of 3% of that!)....and our tax bill is not as great as the opporuntiy to live in a wonderful community with the amenities we have. Maybe we should halt all development, let other communities grow around us and then in 5 to 10 years sound the warning bells as we miss out on more and more of the positive attributes that come with growth! Short term vision can have long term pain attached.
And by the way folks over 55 don't have to pay tax increases any more with the new govenrment legislations!!! Get up to date on the legislation LFP Editor!
Frankly, if new development fees aren't covering the infrastructure costs needed to supply the new developments then something is seriously worng.
Rennie even if you sell your house you still have to live somwhere else unless you live in a cave or on the streets. ! Meanwhile your paying thgousands more a year and climbing.
Rennie:
"And by the way folks over 55 don't have to pay tax increases any more with the new govenrment legislations!!! "
Could you give an example of this?
Wrong. The legislation lets seniors only defer paying their taxes until they sell their homes. Sort of like a claw back and prodding to sell your home while you dip into your savings so to speak.
Meanwhile your house is increasing in value exponentially and your taxes move up slightly so you are a winner as is every other senior in the province! Go on the Provincial Gov't website to find out more or phone you MLA, their offices have all the details - it has been described by many a financial analyst as an 'excellent' deal.
Rennie, the value of your capitol assets matters not when you are on a fixed income. You can't spend your house on groceries etc.
Deferring your taxes is like taking out a loan. Squandering civic taxes in the name of progres(?) for the comunity, can lead to the destruction of the lifestyle established residents who have fixed or low income.
Amen, there methinks! On top of everything else the retirees, investors and many ordinary individuals got the royal shaft from Harpo's changes to the income trusts. So with decreased income, increased inflation, including the substantial rise in property taxes, the big SQUEEZE is on.
Just remember one thing Rennie, the government never gives anything for nothing. There's always a price to pay. If it sounds too good to be true, than be skeptical, because it is too good to be true. They will always come out on the top in the end.
Warawa never did give his opinion on the PC Party's screwing of Income Trust Inverters. No spine?
Our taxes have gone up over $1000 from this time last year. Our family has 4 votes that will remember who voted for tax increases on Township Council.
TY Anon... I rest my case, Rennie open your eyes! 
My research shows that residential development has 12 servicing components, from street lights and sewers to schools and parks. Residential does not pay for itself as the sevicing is so costly. New development needs to be 40% commercial/industrial and 60% residential to avoid tax increases. I am wondering why the Salvation Army site cleared so long ago sits dormant.
Mimics are banned permantly !!! Have a great holiday, I know I am..
Well, we now have a new mayor and can look forward to three years of no tax increases. Bless his heart!
Commenting by HaloScan
