Possible 8.5% tax increase for Penticton

[Nooby]

https://www.castanet.net/news/Penticton ... e-in-taxes

What??? And none of this increase has anything to do with the bike lanes?

[spooker]

Of course it has everything to do with bike lanes! They didn't get finished so you missed all the tourism revenue that people on bikes generate ... don't believe Jim, we know he's just deflecting for the spandex mafia ...

[southy]

For once I agree with you Spooker. It does have everything to do with the bike lanes. Tourism dollars? Ya right. Jim’s timing to jump ship says a lot. So let me guess, you will probably say the parking deficit is tied to lack of tourism dollars as well. Nice try though.

[XT225]

For once I agree with you Spooker. It does have everything to do with the bike lanes. Tourism dollars? Ya right. Jim’s timing to jump ship says a lot. So let me guess, you will probably say the parking deficit is tied to lack of tourism dollars as well. Nice try though.

There is little doubt that a fair chunk of the bike lanes costs are hidden in that budget proposal. Wouldn't it be a perfect world if the actual cost of the bike lanes (in a % increase) would be included in that 8.5% proposed budget increase. However, that would require what the City does not possess (Transparency).

[southy]

[wanderingchef]

If you think this 8.5% increase in your property taxes is unjustified........ y'all need to take a solid look at what is going on in the world around you now, 20 months ago and 24 months ahead. 8.5% is likely to be smallest increase you see in EVERYTHING around you. It has NOTHING to do with the bike lanes that have seen a small investment to create infrastructure for a mode of transportation which will be highly depended upon once the cost of other means of transport becomes too expensive for the working class.

Stop acting like the bike lanes are the reason for the woes of today. You entitled, privileged C#@%ts

[southy]

Sorry chef .. I didn’t get your last word.

[southy]

Ahhh $15m to you is a small investment?

[Sparki55]

If you think this 8.5% increase in your property taxes is unjustified........ y'all need to take a solid look at what is going on in the world around you now, 20 months ago and 24 months ahead. 8.5% is likely to be smallest increase you see in EVERYTHING around you. It has NOTHING to do with the bike lanes that have seen a small investment to create infrastructure for a mode of transportation which will be highly depended upon once the cost of other means of transport becomes too expensive for the working class.

Stop acting like the bike lanes are the reason for the woes of today. You entitled, privileged C#@%ts

Tell that to the rent rate hikes that aren't allowed more than a 1.5% increase.

Can't wait for interest rates to go up and there to be zero rentals left.

[XT225]

If you think this 8.5% increase in your property taxes is unjustified........ y'all need to take a solid look at what is going on in the world around you now, 20 months ago and 24 months ahead. 8.5% is likely to be smallest increase you see in EVERYTHING around you. It has NOTHING to do with the bike lanes that have seen a small investment to create infrastructure for a mode of transportation which will be highly depended upon once the cost of other means of transport becomes too expensive for the working class.

Stop acting like the bike lanes are the reason for the woes of today. You entitled, privileged C#@%ts

I totally disagree that the bike lanes have nothing to do with the 8.5% increase. They most certainly do; they were not FREE; good grief. One of the most expensive and under-utilized projects that has ever been started here. People who support it have all kinds of excuses why its not used more; everything from too smoky out, to rain, not finished yet, etc. And then we will have Winter with zero users. They should have made them portable to be moveable end of November til March. Back to topic, the budget absolutely HAS to include the cost of them.

[spooker]

And the RCMP reason is just a smokescreen masking the $15MM they'll be spending on even more bike lanes ... that $1.3MM they spent this year was just an appetizer that whetted their appetite to spend even more of that "free" money flowing from taxpayers ...

Humans have a penchant for making up reasons for whatever they believe whether there is actual proof or not, sadly the last 18 months have put that on display even more than usual ... yes, if you don't trust your leaders, hold them accountable, question at council meetings, send in letters ... the only way to get transparency is to demand it ...

[madmudder]

If you think this 8.5% increase in your property taxes is unjustified........ y'all need to take a solid look at what is going on in the world around you now, 20 months ago and 24 months ahead. 8.5% is likely to be smallest increase you see in EVERYTHING around you. It has NOTHING to do with the bike lanes that have seen a small investment to create infrastructure for a mode of transportation which will be highly depended upon once the cost of other means of transport becomes too expensive for the working class.

Stop acting like the bike lanes are the reason for the woes of today. You entitled, privileged C#@%ts

When other means of transport become too expensive the roads will able to accommodate all the entitled, privileged, bikers.

[dreamon]

When other means of transport become too expensive the roads will able to accommodate all the entitled, privileged, bikers.

Your adjectives, particularly when used together in that context demonstrate a sorry state of insularity and naievety.
A little time spent in Asian and European cities will help you greatly

[gizzy]

And did anyone see this letter written by Rick Thorpe to the editorial page on Oct 22?
https://www.castanet.net/news/Letters/3 ... -customers
We're being fleeced!

[XT225]

And did anyone see this letter written by Rick Thorpe to the editorial page on Oct 22?
https://www.castanet.net/news/Letters/3 ... -customers
We're being fleeced!

It doesn't seem very wise to suggest such a large tax increase with reserves like that in the bank, however we do have to keep some money in the bank for rainy days. I don't mind paying for extra RCMP (long overdue) but if the bike lanes are going to keep going ahead next year with another section, that money has to come from the 2022 budget or from reserves. Anyone who thinks otherwise is living in a dream world or is a resident of Kelowna....lol.
Note: Rick T. is a good watchdog for this council; no question.