Members of the Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce have spoken out against a possible tax increase this year in a new survey.

PHOTO CREDIT - Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce

Cornwall - Mar. 8, 2011 - A majority of Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce member businesses are opposed to a municipal tax increase this year, a new survey suggests.

The business organization recently sent a survey to more than 700 members seeking feedback on the 2011 municipal budget, and 80 per cent of respondents indicated they do not want a tax increase.

The chamber survey posed three choices for the membership - increased taxes with increased services, decreased taxes with decreased services or no tax increase with no change in services.

"The members made it clear they are not prepared to accept any increase in their taxes but are prepared to live with no change in services," said chamber President Rick Shaver in a press release.

The chamber's Political Advisory Committee (PAC) spearheaded the survey following presentations to the board of directors by the city's finance manager, Maureen Adams.

"The PAC has been working on the taxation issue for some time," stated committee Chair Paul Lefebvre. "We want the city to know how the membership feels and we urge municipal officials to take this into account during budget deliberations."

Lefebvre acknowledged the work of the recently formed Community Action Group which has been seeking similar goals as the chamber.

"It is clear that we are both working to achieve equitable taxation levels and my hope is that the ultimate goal will be achieved," he added.