Dear Editor:
Re: Burnaby proposes 2.9 per cent tax hike, Burnaby NOW, Dec. 11, 2012.
Just prior to Christmas, the City of Burnaby agreed to a 6.75 per cent wage increase over four years for unionized workers. At the same time they are proposing a 2.9 per cent property tax rate, which is stated as necessary to pay for wage increases to civic workers.
Does this mean each of the following years will continue to see property tax increases simply to pay for such wage increases? As a taxpayer, I would ask the City of Burnaby to be more transparent with such spending. Were our civic employees underpaid and thus this balances out some inequity? What is the average wage for a full-time civic worker in Burnaby? How much money is a 6.75 per cent increase on average?
Surely the costs can be justified. It is time for the city to be open and honest about its spending of our tax money.
Keith Bemister, Burnaby
