Comments on: Regional Council Committee discontinues tax reform process

By: Hollie Ferrall

Hollie Ferrall — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:51:16 +0000

Oh yes- I didn’t realize that they were planning a surtax on high value homes. I agree Steve, the fairest way to tax is based on services, not on income. Higher incomes already pay more tax and get less benefits and reliefs. I thought they were just ‘exploring’ options at this stage, but I was wrong.

By: Steve Boyce

Steve Boyce — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:27:28 +0000

If the tax reform being proposed at HRM had gone through most of us in our district would have seen our property taxes double. Thankfully the Dartmouth councillors and a few others understood how the Halifax based councillors and staff were trying to stick it to the rest of us outside the city core.

Obviously we don’t get what we seem to pay for now. However, the solution was not to raise our taxes even higher to benefit those in Halifax that already have all the services. HRM does not have a revenue issue but an expense issue. Until hiring and spending are brought under control we will all be disatisfied with the service we receive from our municipality for the money we pay.

The status quo taxation structure has major equity problems but it is far better than what was being proposed.

By: Hollie Ferrall

Hollie Ferrall — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:57:49 +0000

This is a real shame, especially for the residents of Fall River who seem to receive a small percentage of the services other areas receive for less tax.

Where we are we have no water, no septic, no transport, little road maintenance (apart from in winter, and no complaints about that-they are fab!), a minimal police presence, a volunteer-based fire department and soon we will be responsible for the running of the Rec Center.

I have no qualms about paying tax-it is necessary. But give us a break! There should be some kind of tax relief for qualified properties who do not benefit from 2 or more services-they could still base the initial amount on property value. Be inventive HRM-have a look at models that are being used in other areas of Canada and get with the times!