Hello Rossland Taxpayers & Interested Parties,
The Rossland Taxpayers Assn (RTA) formed following the public meeting that preceded the adoption of the City of Rossland 2025 Five Year Financial Plan. We are advocating for more meaningful participation by Rossland citizens in City spending decisions; one that goes beyond ticking a box on a City survey.
Supported by a last minute assembly of RTA members, Deb Nelson presented to Council on behalf of the RTA on June 2, 2025. Click on the link below to read her Council speech. You may enjoy the interesting stories (page 6 under the heading 'Move to Genelle') about Rosslanders who contributed to the character and heart & soul of the community we enjoy today. The RTA believes the current and proposed property tax increases threaten the age and income diversity of the community, and by extension the cultural and societal infrastructure developed by the rousing collection of characters from all walks that preceded us.
RTA is trying to be 100% transparent with the community and Council about our intent and the tone & approach we are using. We have clearly stated we are non-adversarial and plan to influence City taxpayer funded spending through relationships, knowledge, analysis and collaboration.
Council was not receptive - this time - but in fairness this approach is new and unexplored. We are hopeful things will change. Our focus now is to understand City spending in more detail, and educate & engage citizens, learn their budget related concerns, determine priorities, outline resource requirements (information, data, etc.) and scan for solutions by peers, relevant studies, ideas, resources, etc. etc. We also need to communicate to Council how powerless and threatened taxpayers feel and demonstrate that the RTA, and Rossland citizens in general, are smart, motivated people that can make a meaningful contribution.
The medium single family home price in Revelstoke in March 2025 was $944,150. In Fernie it was $862,500. The average sale price for a home in Whistler is $1.3M. It is naive not to recognize where we are tracking. It is time for Rossland citizens to unite to better understand macro economic impacts on the community, as well as learn in detail the threats and benefits of growth, and the challenges that may lay ahead.
Show your support, stay updated and contribute your thoughts & opinions by becoming a Rossland Taxpayers Assn. member (no charge of course). If you are concerned about competing priorities, rest assured, membership is confidential.
Also, please no hate or abuse, we're trying to do something positive for the community. Thanks.
Contact: rosslandtaxpayers2025@gmail.com
(I am struggling with the hyperlinks on the headings below, therefore, sorry have to include the messy URL.)
RTA Speech to Council June 2, 2025
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D-K6XtqS7JLiY7ymhPEHytrD48qxDBRU/view?usp=drive_link
RTA Membership Link
Background - May Rossland Taxpayers Assn. presentation
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RsXAvP0fGwlJ6hShjbv6SyEGITNWJTG8/view?usp=drive_link
