12 - Sunday, February 21, 1993 - North Shore News re Tax criticisms ‘inaccurate =“ WV Council meets with local ratepayers groups CRITICISMS contained in an Ambleside and Dundarave 25 ‘Ratepayers newsletter about rising taxes and the rising cost WEST VANCOUVER of living in West Vancouver were denounced as inaccurate DISTRICT COUNCIL and irresponsible by members of West Vancouver District Each year we hold a special outdoor service of worship in the yard of our church. It’s a casual affair, and after the service there's food and gamas... This particular Sunday, the minister forgot to Council at council’s annuai budget meeting with local survey conducted in its area in- tfatepayer groups. In its newsletter, the ADR maintained that in 1992 council had brought in an average in- crease of 24% to 28% in residents’ tax statements. But Coun. Ron Wood said at the Feb. 10 meeting that council had worked hard to keep the municipal budget increase down to 5.9%. Other factors, he said, had con- tributed to the overall tax in- crease, such as the province’s removal of the supplementary homeowner’s grant and an inequi- table share of the cost of running the school system. West Vancouver residents whose properiy assessments were higher than the average faced tax in- creases of up to 25%; those with lower assessments paid less. West Vancouver's 20% average increase in property assessments has exacerbated the situation this year, School taxes and Greater Van- couver Regional District levies are based on property assessments, “My taxes will go up 14% even if the municipal budget goes up zero, becuuse the average assess- ment in’ West Vancouver is up 20%,’ said West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager. While - this year’s municipal budget increase will probably be kept close to 3%, taxpayers will each pay an extra $49 forthe new sewage sludge de-watering facility at the Lions Gate sewage treat- ment plant. Ratepayer Ron Boultry said it was up to council to carry local By Maureen Curtis Contributing Writer taxpayer concerns to the province and the GVRD. Sager said council has lobbied the provincial government on these issues, and said that he had used his appointment last year to the GVRD audit committee and his appointment this year to the budget committee to try to make regional government more ac- countable for its spending. Sager said he hopes to see the provincial assessment process changed to better reflect the house and improvements portion — rather than the land value. Despite these explanations, ADR president Elaine Fonseca continued to describe West Van- couver’s provisional $32.4 million budget (a 444% increase from the 1992 final buclget) as ‘texaggerated and oulrageous.”” She questioned ‘nickle and dime’’ items ranging from police officer’s shoes to dry cleaning of uniforms to the annual thank-you dinner for those who sit on volun- teer boards and commissions. Fellow ABR member Lionel Lewis suggested cutting municipal staff through attrition and freez- ing cultural and recreational capi- tal projects until the cost of the library expansion could be digested, The British Properties and Area Homeowners Association approv- ed council’s improved budgeting process, but noted that a recent WV to appeal assessments WEST VANCOUVER will appeal the assessment of all commercial properties in the district, Mayor Mark Sager told the North Shore News on Monday night. “It’s never been done before, and the provincial government is not too “happy about it,'’ said Sager. : i The mayor added that many merchants may not be aware that an ussessment increase can in- crease. their taxes, whether they own their own property or tease it. : Some, he said, may not be aware that they can appeal the assessment, Although West Vancouver's commercial land is not in the same demand as its residential property, new buildings can drive up the assessments on neighboring properties that Sager feels do not warrant the increase. Sager said, for example, that a property on {6th Street was hit recently with a 70% increase. “That is completely unjust,"? he said. KEEP YOUR WHEELS TURNING .. . BCIT is offering an Information Session to help you find vut more about the following Automotive programs. Speak with an instructar, pick up an application and tour the shop areas. © AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECHNICIAN (diploma) Meeting the need for skilled technicians who can diagnose and repair sophisticated systems in today's autornotive vehicles. START DATES: APRIL °93, JANUARY ‘94 AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN (certificate) This program takes technicians through basic electrica! diagnosis and repair to the latest “state of the art’ automotive electronics. 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