Opposed to tax increase

Re. Peachland property taxes going up 7% (Castanet,May 7)

I am writing as a concerned resident and taxpayer of Peachland, regarding the recently announced 7.07% property tax increase for 2025.

According to the article, the typical Peachland household will pay approximately $308.80 more next year. I find that deeply troubling and unsustainable, especially when considering the broader economic context we are all facing.

The average salary increase in Canada for 2024 was just 3.6%—roughly half the rate of this proposed tax hike. At the same time, Canadians are grappling with skyrocketing grocery prices, rising utility costs and increased demand on food banks—up 32% in 2023, with more than 7,500 people relying on assistance each month. Unemployment now stands at 6.7%.

Those are not conditions that allow for significant tax increases year after year.

This is not the first time Peachland residents have seen sharp increases. Taxes went up by 6.65% in 2024 and 5.12% in 2023. Compounded, that places a growing burden on homeowners, many of whom are seniors, working families and individuals who are already trying to stretch every dollar.

In difficult economic times, households must make tough decisions, cut costs and prioritize needs over wants. I urge (Peachland municipal) council to show the same fiscal restraint and find ways to reduce spending rather than continually turning to property owners to balance the budget.

I respectfully ask it to reconsider this year’s proposed increase and explore alternative solutions that do not involve placing even more financial strain on residents.

We all want Peachland to remain a vibrant and well-maintained community but that cannot come at the cost of affordability and fairness.

Tyrone Dee