A Pitt Meadows man who started a petition calling for no residential tax increase next year is still fielding calls from residents who want to sign it.
Tom Murray presented the petition with 930 signatures to council at a regular meeting last week, but said he’s now decided to continue collecting signatures until fall.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Murray, whose been getting phone calls and emails from others who share his concerns.
Murray and his wife Norma decided to start the petition after hearing council passed a resolution for staff to prepare a budget based on a four per cent tax increase each of the next five years.
The Murrays want a “zero” tax increase for 2013.
“We are going to be taking a very close look at next year’s budget,” said Murray.
He remains disappointed that a technical problem resulted in no sound being broadcast while he spoke during last Tuesday’s council meeting.
“A lot of people are quite angry there was no sound,” he said.
The City of Pitt Meadows will be sending a letter to each of the 930 people who signed the petition, that will explain how tax increases are determined and invite them to participate in business planning meetings that begin in fall.
Speech by Mayor Deb Walters:
Pitt Meadows mayor Deb Walters responds to tax protest petition