District of Kitimat council has passed a motion that will see the 2022 flat tax rate set at $693.
The increase was set at a special council meeting on April 11. The tax rate is equal to last year’s rate of $668 plus a 3.75 per cent adjustment to account for budget increases.
“Flat tax has been used in Kitimat for over 30 years is an established part of the property tax system,” said Mario Feldhoff, District of Kitimat councillor. “Having a flat tax doesn’t mean that people with higher assessed value homes are not paying based on assessments, it’s a combination.”
He continued on to say that if council did eliminate the flat tax, it would be gone forever. In the council agenda, it outlines the fact that if council decides not to use the flat tax rate it cannot be reinstated in the following years.
“We’ve looked at this in more depth in earlier years when we first came in as a new council and I’ve supported it every year because it is my understanding that you have to charge a minimum of $350 for taxes,” said Councillor Lani Gibson.
According to the council agenda, the minimum tax of $350 is for owners under 65 and $100 for owners over the age of 65.
The motion was unanimously passed to increase the flat tax rate for 2022 to $693.