UMNB president says assessment office is to blame for bulging tax bills

SAINT JOHN, N.B. - David Hanson makes no apologies for rising property tax bills, and says fed-up residents should look for answers from the assessment office.

Hanson is the mayor of Rexton and is the President of the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick.

His comments are in response to Premier Shawn Graham, who sharply criticized most municipalities for not adhering to legislation which called for significant drops in property tax in order to compensate for rising assessments.

Hanson says the premier doesn't understand the challenges municipalities face.

"Increased assessments are what municipalities depend on in order to meet the increased cost of operations," Hanson says.

Hanson says the province should not be involved in the setting of property tax rates.

Meanwhile, Hanson reminds residents that assessments are handled by the province, and agrees the process is flawed.