Editor:
A 4.9 per cent increase in taxes is not an acceptable increase, especially in a town where affordability is a big problem.
According to Stats Canada, in Alberta the average person received a 1.8 per cent wage increase in 2014 and Town of Canmore employees got 2.6 per cent. So where does mayor and council think the people in this town are going to come up with an additional 4.9 per cent? Also, the solid waste services budget includes a 15 per cent increase next year.
Tax increases which are twice as much as wage increases puts pressure on everyone. Hard decisions need to be made and prioritizing what the community actually needs versus wants.
We can’t have everything (arts centre, conference centre, 1,000 year flood mitigation, etc.). Overspending is a burden to taxpayers including families, service workers, and business owners.
The budget is disappointing.
Dean and Heather Bester,
Canmore
