The Editor:
In view of the shortage of doctors in Estevan, I'm not opposed to city council imposing a health levy on the taxpayers provided it is not going to be a permanent extra tax.
However, I do disagree with how the amount of tax is calculated.
The more a person pays in property tax, the higher the amount for the tax levy. This is totally unfair as it has nothing to do with a person's ability to pay and it's not based whatsoever on income, much like the unfair way property taxes in general are determined.
For example, I know a number of people whose annual incomes are far in excess of my moderate pension, yet because they live in property that is assessed at less than my residence, their health levy is also less than what I'm paying. It would appear that council members didn't think this through.
Why not do like some other cities and impose the same amount of health tax for everyone?
The 10 per cent increase in utility rates, when compounded, is about a 40 per cent hike in the last four years. Where does the City expect people who are on fixed incomes to get the money to pay for this totally unreasonable rate increase? If this isn't back door taxation, what is? A general modest property tax increase would have made more sense.
Although the present boom in Estevan benefits many, it is also a hardship to low income people and those on fixed incomes. It's getting to the point where many are considering locating to a community where the cost of living is more affordable.
I've been wondering, if we had decent streets in Estevan, how much would we save on vehicle repairs? I moved to Estevan 50 years ago and the streets were better then.
Ray Worsnop
Estevan
