Photo: Samantha Holomay

Over 250 people signed a petition opposing the 10 per cent tax increase included in Rossland's Draft 2025-2029 Five-Year Financial Plan.

Many Rossland residents are pushing back against the city's proposed 10 per cent tax increase, and the debates are heating up.

Rossland city council passed the first and second reading of its Draft 2025-2029 Financial Plan Bylaw and is now consulting the public to seek additional comments on the document.

As of May 1, the city's chief financial officer (CFO), Mike Kennedy, has received approximately 10 written submissions from members of the public opposing the increases. As well, a petition was signed by over 250 people who all expressed their concerns about the proposed increases.

The petition suggested that council impose a limit on the 2025 municipal portion of property tax increase to six per and that departmental budgets also be cut by four per cent in 2025, while the required studies are completed on infrastructure replacement.

The petition advocated for a freeze on the hiring of new staff, and suggests delegating tasks or sharing staff between the neighbouring communities, such as Trail and Warfield.

It also suggested that the city stop telling the public that there will be a 10 per cent annual tax increase in the draft 2025-2029 Financial Plan, and the city should lower payroll expenses.

In addition, it continued to propose that “non-essential projects” such as the Trail resident program, the Redstone playground project, and the city’s new communication plans be cut, including the Green Link project.

“Council, acknowledging their desire to 'Support and enhance access to diverse housing options for all ages, abilities and incomes' cannot be accomplished by increasing municipal property tax rates by 61 per cent over five years,” the petition stated.

“These increases will only drive rental rates higher for those who are in the rental market, while pushing current homeowners out of the city due to ballooning annual property tax rates.”

Overall, the petition advised the city to reign in spending and focus on improving the area's infrastructure, rather than launching new initiatives simultaneously. Some who signed the petition said that they believe that the proposed tax increases will run people out of Rossland.

“Taxes in Rossland are already extremely high compared to other communities, and we should look at alternatives to endlessly raising our taxes even more," said Craig McCallum.

“With the proposed tax increases, Rossland will become completely unaffordable,” said Philip Churchill. “We will have to sell our house and move. Also, without raising rents at the same pace of tax increases, it will be impossible to maintain affordable rents.”

Council previously stated that half of the proposed increase of the five-year plan's property tax revenue will go towards covering inflation, infrastructure improvements and enhancing city services. The letter also stated that some Rosslanders' recognized the need to prepare for the eventual replacement of the city's aging infrastructure.

“While I understand we need to increase taxes to pay for aging infrastructure and key services, I believe we can do better and get more creative than the 10 per cent compounding interest plan that will have more negative consequences on our great community,” said Jayme Smithers.

City staff explained that the city has endured significant challenges over the years due to aging infrastructure, housing shortages, climate-related risks and an increase in service demands.

Some of the tax increases are also due to the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) planned upgrades to the Columbia Pollution Control Centre located in Trail.

The upgrades are aimed at modernizing the centre that was built in the 1970s, and is projected to cost an estimated $75 million. The timeline for its completion is that the end project is slated for 2026, although some expressed that the timing seems optimistic.

Rossland Mayor Andy Morel previously expressed that the city cannot continue “kicking the can down the road” and that the plan is a crucial step toward ensuring that Rossland remains a vibrant and resilient community for generations to come.

Council will not officially adopt the plan until May 5, and municipal budgets are to be completed by the May 15 deadline.