While the second year of a political mandate is usually when politicians launch their priority projects, public reaction to a proposed 5.1% municipal tax increase might cause city council to reconsider.
A public safety building, welcome sign, and uptown improvements are planned, but with Western Forest Products on strike and Mosaic shutting down for months, former Mayor Mike Ruttan says Port Alberni taxpayers can’t afford further increases.
“I think they need to remain on hold until such time as taxpayers can afford it,” he said. “Either we increase the number of people who are paying taxes, or the number of businesses who are paying taxes, or we hold the line where we are because we cannot raise taxes more than people can afford.”
Departmental budget presentations will begin next week, with a public engagement session scheduled for January 14th.
