When most of us think about Whistler, extravagance comes to mind. Beautiful hotels, posh restaurants, tremendous skiing, and the lavish Olympic Games.

But there’s another side to the Resort Municipality of Whistler – one grossly underreported. Whistler has frozen property taxes for three consecutive years. That means the current council will leave office this November charging the same in property taxes as when they came into office in late 2011.

Now, as a resort municipality, Whistler does get the benefit of a hotel room tax (making up 17 per cent of their overall revenue), which standard cities do not. And yes, that tax has gone up, but that affects tourists, not residents. One could argue that this parallels casino proceeds in cities like Richmond, Coquitlam and Langley City, so don’t discount Whistler because of that.

It should be noted that Whistler endured horrific tax increases during the previous council term: some 24.5 per cent over three years.

Whistler has been reducing spending within city hall and examining reserve practices. For example, they hold on to vehicles a little longer than they used to – a prudent decision given how far automakers have gone in recent years to improve efficiency and reliability. 

The Pique, Whistler’s news magazine, has a great piece on this three-year freeze. An excerpt:

According to the mayor commenting at council's last meeting it was hard work (and perhaps the legacy of tax increases of 24.5 per cent made by the previous council), and leaving nothing on the table. There were no sacred cows — the RMOW's vehicle replacement fund was oversubscribed releasing $450,000! This was a fund the size of which has been questioned by voters in the past.

And there are still 56 new projects in the proposed budget at a cost of $3.8 million.

There will be some people who, while celebrating the proposed zero increase in municipal taxes, harbour misgivings about the financial prudence of this in the long run. But with the citizens of B.C. facing increases in everything from BC Hydro rates, to ferry fares and even the price of stamps, the tax freeze resonates with all.

Perhaps another reason for those not residing here to cast an envious glance our way. 

Count me in as one of the envious…