Hamer-Jackson says he has plan to reduce 2025 taxation by 5 per cent; details remain vague

KAMLOOPS — Earlier this week, Kamloops city council approved the first three readings of the financial plan and taxation bylaws as the city works to finalize the 2025 budget.

As it stands, Kamloops homeowners are expected to see a 7.42 per cent tax increase this year, but Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson has stated he has a plan to knock that number down.

“Well I think it could get down to about 2 per cent,” Hamer-Jackson told CFJC News. “I don’t know if you know, but I have been taking huge pay cuts. We have a CAO that suggested in a meeting that I take a 50 per cent pay cut. I think we’ve hired about 30 senior managers over the past few years. I think we have to take a really good look at that and I think we can cut that down a lot. And we have to start at the top. And with councillors, I think last year alone they got a $4,000 salary increase for a part-time job.”

When asked for specifics on his plan, Hamer-Jackson stated those discussions will still need to be had by senior management and council. While the financial plan must be approved by May 15, the mayor believes there is time to complete his plan this year.

“I think that is something that you have to sit down with management. That’s not my decision. That would be a decision within the corporation that you need to have a good look at. I see that we need more… we could get two, three, four, five union employees for the price of one manager. I think we really need to take a look at that,” said Hamer-Jackson.