Dear Editor:
With the three per cent increase in property tax and water rates I think the council and mayor are dumping increase debts on the backs of the taxpayers.
It is not the taxpayers' fault that the Innisfail library had major problems keeping steel workers to show up to work on the structure. The delay of contractors costs taxpayers.
Why didn't the government grants include furniture in a library that is in the wrong location?
As to the water issue ó the town changed meters and water costs doubled.
The project manager of the Anthony Henday Water Treatment Plant stood before council to tell them the plant was running in a deficit. Upon asking the mayor if the Henday plant was in debt, Mayor Jim Romane stated, "not that I'm aware of."
The huge costs of this waterline will mostly be dumped on the shoulders of the taxpayers.
The other towns in the county of Mountain View have more population. (e.g. the Town of Olds is paying less than the Town of Innisfail. Yet, Innisfail taxpayers will be hit the hardest with cost of this waterline).
With a lot of taxpayers on a low fixed income, they can't afford to pay any higher tax on their properties for high water rates. A single person is paying the same rate as a family. Why? With the Town of Innisfail infrastructure fund being over $20 million if not more. I strongly suggest that the council dig into this fund and ease the burden and use our tax dollars infrastructure money to pay these costs, especially the regional waterline. School taxes should be a "forgiven tax for seniors".
I also would like to know if council gave themselves a raise. The Government of Canada is not going to give seniors a three per cent hike in their pensions.
I would like to have the council pass the agenda on before council meetings. This will advise taxpayers of upcoming decisions concerning this community. It is time this council fulfil its campaigning promises of listening to taxpayers.
I am not in favour of higher tax rates or water rates. Council, think again about decisions.
Disgruntled taxpayer,
S. Shultz
