‘Having to raise taxes each year is total carelessness’
The Municipality of North Cowichan is proposing a five year plan with tax increases in each of the years from 2022 to 2026. How about proposing a five year plan with no tax increases for the first three years and tax increases only in years four and five. Why?
Presently North Cowichan has a major pandemic when it comes to employee wages paid out. In 2013, total payroll was $13,050,457. Total payroll in 2019 was $16,456,464. A increase of $3,406,007 or 26 per cent.
In 2013, a certain employee was paid yearly wages of $106,811. That same employee in 2019 was paid yearly wages of $139,425. A increase of $32,614 or 30.5 per cent. In 2013, the Mayor of North Cowichan was paid yearly wages of $57,677. In 2019, the Mayor of North Cowichan was paid yearly wages of $79,956. A increase of $22,279 or 38.6 per cent. Remember the Mayor’s job is part time only.
Many people do not earn these kind of wages already working full time. In 2013, a Utility worker was paid $27.46 per hour. In 2019, a Utility worker was paid $30.99 per hour. A increase of $3.53 per hour or 12.8 per cent. On average, the Utility worker rate of pay has been a increase of 2 per cent per year. That rate of pay is now at $32.23 for 2021. A increase of 17.4 per cent since 2013.
From a taxpayer’s point of view, this is outrageous. Note that these wages do not include employer paid employee benefits. All employees presently are earning excellent wages and the time has come where wages must be frozen for three years so that there is no tax increases to the taxpayers for three years. Having to raise taxes each year is total carelessness, on the part of the elected council. Come the 2022 municipal elections, taxpayers must vote in a council that takes on the challenge that the Municipality of North Cowichan payroll costs is in a pandemic. Unbelievable!
Joe Sawchuk
Duncan