The Editor,
It is past time for a change in the way in which property taxes are determined. Unlike income taxes, property taxes are not based on earning, ability to pay or even services provided. The only factor taken into consideration is the assessed value of the residence. As a result, it is the most unfair tax in our society. Consider this example: a person with a modest pension income, living in a small, newer bungalow is likely to pay almost double the property tax of a person living in an older, renovated and updated similar size house, even if the person in the older house has over twice the income of the person living on a pension.
The value of a persons? residence should not be considered an indication of their wealth.
The heath levy that the City added to this year's property tax is also unfair. The levy was based on a percentage of the property tax which resulted in people with the higher property taxes paying a higher health levy fee. Again, the ability to pay or earnings were not a consideration. Why not just charge all households the same amount for the health levy?
The recent press release stating that Estevan has the second lowest property tax rate is somewhat deceiving. Estevan has higher housing prices than most Saskatchewan cities.
Therefore, if a house sells for $400,000 in Estevan and a similar house in another city sells for thousands less, then the Estevan home owner pays the most taxes because the taxes are based on the value of the house.
Another issue I have a problem with is the City using utility rates as a form of backdoor taxation. I hardly think that a 27 per cent increase in the past three years can be considered reasonable.
Ray Worsnop,
Estevan, Sask.
