Property Taxes and Budget Spending

Municipal budgeting doesn’t have simple answers. I am prepared to study the details, ask difficult questions and ensure residents receive a clear explanation of what they are paying for and why.

When the mill closed and its property assessment was reduced, the City lost approximately $2.9 million in annual property-tax revenue. Residents have been expected to make up much of that loss through higher property taxes, and those increases are becoming difficult for many households to absorb. Continuing to rely on substantial tax increases is not a sustainable long-term solution.

The effects extend beyond homeowners to renters and the wider housing market. Rising property taxes increase the cost of home ownership, which tends to lead to higher rental rates. Higher rental rates make it more difficult for people to save enough to purchase a home. Over time, that can push prospective homeowners outside the City limits, or away from the Sunshine Coast altogether.

We need to take a hard look at where municipal funds are being spent, which services and infrastructure need to be protected, and where priorities need to change. We also need a realistic long-term financial plan that looks beyond the next annual budget.

There are no quick fixes. However, through careful planning, disciplined spending and sound decision making, we can gradually build a stronger and more sustainable financial future for Powell River.