​Kincardine needs to get a grip on spending and reduce costs, says reader

To the Editor:
RE: “Kincardine hikes bag tags by $1 to keep tax-rate increase under 7%”

This tax increase is out of control and now a hike in garbage bag tags.

It flies directly in the face of affordable housing, and adds additional costs to homeowners, landlords and tenants.

As a private landlord, who supplies garbage dumpsters for tenants, I have witnessed, on multiple occasions, people driving in and dumping their garbage in these dumpsters to avoid bag tag costs.

The increased bag tag cost will only increase these activities, adding more cost to landlords and tenants, and there will be an increase in roadside garbage-dumping that will cost the municipality to clean up.

Not that many years ago, property owners and landlords received 52 free bag tags per year; now, they are $3.50 each.

In the 2018 election, councillor Bill Stewart campaigned on the promise to lower property taxes?! Since 2018, there has not been a year that taxes have remained the same and there has not been a year that taxes have not gone up.

Where does all the Bruce Telecom, OPG, and Bruce Power money go? Not to mention development charges, parkland and parkland dedication fees?

The municipality needs to get a grip on spending and reduce costs, not services, and not put more pressure on taxpayers and tenants.

Thank you,
Keith Battler
Kincardine