Letter to the Editor -- Morning Star -- 2008-07-04

I hope that there was some misunderstanding between the Mayor and staff and Mr Klukas. Anyone should have been able to explain that the 6.95% tax increase was the total budget increase by Coldstream over last years budget expressed as a percentage. They are given the total value of all properties within the District of Coldstream and Coldstream calculates the appropriate mill rates (the rate each property owner pays for every thousand dollars worth of his/her property). This year the mill rate is 1.5663 (the mill rate has actually decreased from 1.6977 in 2007, in fact every mill rate declined from last year's value), thus, we pay to Coldstream $156.63 for every $100,000 worth of property.

That is the end of Coldstream's involvement.

The differential tax increases are the result of the value of each property according to BC Assessment. They assess the value of each property every year using some formulae of their own. Some properies are assessed at amuch higher rate than are others. If a homeowner feels his/her property value is unreasonable he/she must appeal to the Property Assessment Review Panel. Unfortunately that has to be done before the end of January every year.

If a property was assessed at the average percentage increase then the tax increase on that property is 6.95%. If the peoperty is not increased in value compared to last year then one might even get a tax reduction.

I hope this will help. Anyone needing further clarification, send me an email.

*********************************************************