Howard Kozma lives in North Point Douglas because he finds the housing affordable.
But Kozma said a 2.3 per cent property tax increase will make it more difficult to make ends meet.
"We're a low income family. It makes it tough,” said Kozma. “I mean things have been harder to come by—groceries are going up. Look at the price of food—it's ridiculous."
On top of that, he'll have to shell out more money to cover a proposed frontage levy increase.
With a lot measuring 10 metres wide, the increase means he'll have to pay $19 extra.
Winnipeg city councillor Ross Eadie said basing the increase on the width of a lot instead of the value of a home is unfair.
"It's not based on your ability to pay,” said Eadie.
Eadie believes Mayor Brian Bowman wanted to keep a campaign promise by capping the property tax hike at 2.3 per cent.
He said the city's proposed frontage levy increase would bring in $6.7 million in revenue for the city.
Eadie said raising property taxes an extra 1.37 per cent would do the same thing.
"(It) still gets the city the same amount of money but it's easier on people who have less ability to pay," said Eadie.
Take for instance Kozma's home. Under the city's current budget he would have to pay the same $19 frontage levy on his $75,000 home as someone with a home assessed at $200,000 But percentage-wise, Kozma's tax increase would work out to be higher.
Under Eadie's proposal, Kozma would only pay $6 while the $200,000 homeowner would have to pay just over $17 to cover a 1.37 per cent addition to the property tax hike.
But Eadie's proposal would mean River Heights homeowner Michael Ashton would have to pay more property tax on his home than if charged the frontage levy on his 50 foot lot.
Ashton said he wouldn’t mind.
"I think it's then relative to the value of your property and subsequently your income level," said Ashton.
Eadie plans to bring his proposal forward at a special meeting of the executive policy committee on March 17
