I have talked a lot about Oakland taxes increasing since the 2015 amalgamation with Wawanesa and I want to be clear about a few points.
First, I’m thankful my municipal taxes haven’t jumped 39.9%, or 80%, or over 100% like some of my Oakland friends and neighbours.
I have a school buddy and cattleman in the northwest corner of Oakland-Wawanesa who is paying 80% higher municipal taxes on a half section. Taxes on his house and 80 other acres have increased 22% since amalgamation.
Another friend with a section of farmland in Ward Two will pay 106% higher municipal taxes in 2019 compared to 2015.
My property taxes don’t look nearly so bad. This year, I’ll pay 8% more municipal taxes on my acreage compared to 2015. Of course, that doesn’t include school taxes. My municipal taxes jumped 13% in the first two years after amalgamation but the increase softened in 2018 and 2019.
The Big Picture
Between 2015 and 2018, Oakland municipal taxes jumped 39.9% because council kept increasing mill rates at the same time that property values were also increasing. Some, like me, didn’t see that kind of hit. Others, namely farmers, paid substantially more than 39.9%. The result was a windfall of new tax money for the municipality. Courtesy of Oakland.
This trend will continue in 2019. Even with council reducing mill rates slightly, rural will pay 35% more taxes this year compared to 2015, according to figures from Oakland-Wawanesa budgets available at the municipal office.
By comparison, Wawanesa taxes dropped 20% between 2015 and 2019. Individual results may vary but head of council Dave Kreklewich, for instance, has enjoyed a 22% drop in municipal taxes on his Wawanesa property since 2015.
The big picture is clear. Money collected through the Wawanesa levy and Wawanesa’s share of the At Large levy has dropped 20% since amalgamation, while Oakland’s contribution through the rural levy and At Large levy has increased 35%.
Higher Spending=Higher Taxes
Higher spending is the reason for higher taxes. Council has increased municipal spending 24% since amalgamation – nearly $500,000 – while at the same time reducing Wawanesa taxes and increasing Oakland taxes.
Ultimately, rural ratepayers are contributing substantially more taxes but not seeing better roads, faster fire service or rural development. Where is the return on rural investment in the last five budgets? Where are the new services? Where is the value?
A fair tax solution is needed in Oakland-Wawanesa. Fair for everyone.
Regards,
-Glen