You guys think you have it tough

[trappermatt]

The folks living in Howick twp. Are about to have it real tough , and just like so many other rural municipalites it's a direct effect of provincial policy

http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=549714

[B Wilson]

Matt,

would this been slightly less of a problem if Howick had participated in amalgamation 20 years ago?

[JBen]

No comment, dead horse, were just "whiners" etc, etc, etc, etc.
Wonders

if with land taxes increasing 20%, Hydro 40%, produce 7.5%, more taxes like ORPP (possibly carbon taxes) and more in fees increasing…..

Will those people will be flocking to WT, eating less healthy, seeing quality of life slip,
or reaching for Cr cards
or pay down down their debt,
or do things for their kids, be they team sports, or extra curricular, or nice clothes…or….so their kids don't end up…..
or reach for Cr cards.
Or live more thrifty…lower quality of life, less $ for Ms Wynne (Consumer taxes) …and less going back to the economy
Or reach for Cr cards.

with less and less and less discretionary money.
and on and on.

Want to know why the middle class is shrinking? the trends speak for themselves.
Want to know why WT and the likes are exploding, booming….
Want to know why Q of L is slipping?
or why people reach for Cr cards
Cant save and face bleak futures?
and on and on

[JBen]

These are the things the so called champions of the middle class don't see.

lets take a typical family.
This year just for a number out thin air. They have $1,000 less is Discretionary $.

do you cancel your gym membership?
do you put off, replacing the old car?
pull your son out of hockey?
flock to WT but cheap Chinese, and eat less healthy?
reach for Cr cards
try to save?
pay off some debt?

and of coarse, if most of the "middle class" starts spending less.
that means less $ for Ms Wynne
that means less $ keeping everyone employed, getting raises. Growing the economy

[KMan]

"The average resident is looking at a $225, $230 tax increase at this point,” township reeve Art Versteeg tells CTV News.

So the average resident is paying $850 dollars in property tax now?

[trappermatt]

"The average resident is looking at a $225, $230 tax increase at this point,” township reeve Art Versteeg tells CTV News.

So the average resident is paying $850 dollars in property tax now?

Ahh no

[KMan]

Ahh no

27% of $850=$230

[JBen]

According to the audio 3% to 5% for the next 3-4 years for residents if I heard right.

As things stand now, Howick Township plans to increase property taxes by 27 per cent for 2015.

Its always in the context. That could very well mean the Township needs to increase its land tax revenue by an aggregate of 27%

Read more: http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/resident...#ixzz3RYMN9hhj

The average resident is looking at a $225, $230 tax increase at this point,” township reeve Art Versteeg tells CTV NEWS.
The municipal office for Howick Township is seen in Gorrie, Ont., on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015.
After several years of increases around the inflation level, Howick residents were asked to pay an extra 11 per cent in municipal taxes in 2014. This year’s proposed increase is significant higher than that, and Versteeg says he sees two or three more high increases in the cards in coming years

So keep in mind, the additional say 15% (after 3 or 4 years) per resident is on top of last years 11%

Nice. In the span of 5 years, land taxes will be up 26%
KMan with a nominal increase of $225 per year and 3% hike
The average annual land tax levy is $7,500
$225.00 / 0.03


Read more: http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/resident...#ixzz3RYLVzZbB

[ysyg]

The numbers just don't add up do they? Its typical media to get our attention saying 27% and $230 which means they are paying average of $850 now. Just like some saying they pay 23 cents per KWH for hydro in Ontario and my bill says I pay average of 9.2 cents. Big difference.

[JBen]

Actually they do add up (providing I heard the audio correctly) and yes the headline is kind of misleading in that case.

Regardless 27% over 4 years is stupid steep.
How many people have seen their income increase by 7%/year