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THE BULLETIN PROUDLY SERVING KIMBERLEY AND AREA SINCE 1932 | Vol. 84, Issue 52 | www.dailybulletin.ca
A flat tax fight
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Council votes four to three to knock $80 off flat tax; Mayor argues against saying it will cause three percent mill rate rise C AROLYN GR ANT Bulletin Editor
Kimberley City Council had a robust discussion around the flat tax Monday evening, with Coun. Kent Goodwin leading the charge to start the process of ending the flat tax and Mayor Don McCormick arguing that it resulted in a net zero for the city and could in fact slow Kimberley’s new start housing, which has been doing well. The flat tax was brought into play years ago to try to compensate for widely varying property values in Kimberley. In the early 2000s for example, you could have a house in the downtown area valued at $50,000 while a new home on the ski hill might be valued at $600,000 or more. The flat tax meant that both the properties paid the same amount as a portion of their taxes rather than relying solely on the mill rate. Goodwin has argued against the flat tax for some time, saying it was unfair and regressive. He campaigned on that idea in 2014. “Kimberley is one of only five communities in B.C. with a flat tax,” he
told Council. “And our flat tax is the highest in B.C. Reducing it slowly over the next 10 years is a good step forward.” Coun. Bev Middlebrook, who called into the meeting as she has been on medical leave, said she strongly supported Goodwin’s motion. Coun. Albert Hoglund said he wouldn’t support it; it was wrong, he said. “The flat tax was put in when the mill rate was outrageous for higher level homes,” he said. “ I don’t think that disparity has changed that much. I’m afraid it will stop the building we have now. This will increase the taxes for higher level homes substantially.” Coun. Darryl Oakley said he did support it and thought it was a good thing if done slowly over ten years. “The time has come to say goodbye to the flat tax,” he said. Mayor Don McCormick said that the flat tax was designed to use in conjunction with general taxation. In 2015 the flat tax accounted for 27 percent of general taxation. See TAX, page 3
THE REAL MCKENZIE PHOTOGRAPHY
This hardy group of skiers are about to skin up the hill at Kimberley Alpine Resort to take part in the inaugural Boulder Hut KAR Ski Mountaineering Race last Saturday. 46 participants signed up for the event. Grand Prize Draw Winners were: Russ Peebles & Brett Bryan - They each won a half week trip to Boulder Hut Adventures in 2017! Value: $1695 each. Geoffrey Richards was the overall winner with a time of 37.57; almost six minutes faster that the second place finisher.
Two snowmobilers located safely Every deduction Every ded and creditand count±. credi Maximum Refund Guarantee* TRE VOR CR AWLEY
Two snowmobilers have been located by Columbia Valley Search and Rescue after failing to check in with family members on Monday evening. The two snowmobilers had been out in an area west of Radium Hot Springs, but failed to return home after a planned weekend in the backcountry. Search and Rescue dispatched a helicopter on Tuesday morning to assess the avalanche danger in the area and
Every deduction and credit count±.
conduct a visual search. Kimberley Search and Rescue was The snowmobilers were not in any on standby, but did not participate in apparent danger; they were in a loca- the operation. tion that was outside of any communiIt’s a positive outcome in contrast cation network and did not contact to a tragic situation in the B.C. Interior family to let them know they were as two snowmobilers were killed in an staying an extra day. avalanche in Wells Grey provincial “It sounds like they just decided to park late Monday. Our said Maximum Refund Guarantee* you get all stay an extra night,” Cpl. Grant There wereensures five other snowmobilers the deductions and credits you’re entitled to. Simpson. “Because of their location, who survived the avalanche, as KamOur Maximum Refund Guara they were unable to let anyone know and Rescuetoday. conducted deductions and credits y Speak to an H&R loops Block Search Taxthe Professional of their intention to do so, and from recovery operations on Tuesday morn1975A WARREN #11 9TH AVE SOUTH Speak to anAVENUE H&R Block what I understand, that’s basically ing. KIMBERLEY, BC what it comes down to.” CRANBROOK, BC #11 9TH AVE SOUTH
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Our Maximum Refund Refund Guarantee ensures you you get get all all the Our Maximum Guarantee** ensures deductions and entitled to. to. deductiions and credits you’re you’re entitled Speak SpeaktotoananH&R H&RBlock BlockTax TaxProfessional Professionaltoday today #119TH 9THAVE AVESOUTH SOUTH #11 CRANBROOK, CRANBROOK,BC BC Phone: Phone:250.489.5388 250.489.5388
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hrblock.ca | 800-HRBLOCK (472-5625)
© H&R Block Canada, Inc. At participating offices. Some restrictions may apply. See office for details.*If H&R Block makes an error in the preparation of your tax return, that costs you any interest or penalties on additional taxes due, although we do not assume the liability for the additional taxes, we will reimburse you for the interest and penalties. © H&R Block Canada, Inc. At participating offices.Inc. Some may apply. See office for details.*If H ©H&R Block Canada, Atrestrictions participating offices. you any interest or penalties on additional taxes due, although we do not assu Some restrictions may apply. See office for details. *If H&R Block interest and penalties.
1975A WARRENAVE AVE 1975A WARREN KIMBERLEY, KIMBERLEY, BCBC Phone: 250.427.7312 Phone: 250.427.7312
makes an error in the preparation of your tax return, that costs you any interest or penalties on additional taxes due, although we do not assume the liability for the additional taxes, we will reimburse you for the interest and penalties.