According to the Village of Ashcroft, response to this year’s tax
increase now that notices have gone out is almost non-existent.
Village treasurer Natalie Aalderink says she didn’t have any
complaints in the first week of billing, but more residents were
filling out their Homeowners Grant.
She said people were enquiring about their taxes, but they found out
the amount had gone down once they got their notices.
Owner of the Ashcroft Bakery Deb Tuohey said the bakery’s taxes went
up less than $100.
“It’s reasonable to me,” she said, pointing out that insurance has
gone up, coffee prices has gone up, labout costs, gas prices have
risen. She said the tax increase was small by comparison.
Central Cafe owner John Douglas said he understood why taxes went up,
but wishes the Village could have spread it out over time.
“Any increase in cost is hard on business,” he said.
He hasn’t compared his tax notice this year to what he paid last year
yet.
Douglas said he’d be happier about a tax increase if the Village was
offering some sort of help to keep businesses open.