SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Yellowknifers heading toward sixth straight year of increased property taxes. The city is reaching out to residents for their input to help with development of its three-year rolling budget, which begins next year with a proposed 7.2 per cent property tax hike.

A call for submissions comment page has been posted on the city's website.

"We're trying to encourage residents to be involved in the budget-planning process," said city councillor. Bob Brooks.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said the comment feature on the city's website is "just another convenience" for residents, so they can share their thoughts on the develop-ment of the city's budget.

Last December the city projected an estimated property tax increase of 5.7 per cent for 2010. To balance the 2011 budget, the city is also looking at a potential property tax increase of 7.21 per cent.

If approved, this increase would make 2011 the sixth consecutive year of property tax increases.

Van Tighem added that the public forum for comments may produce alternatives that haven't been thought of yet. The mayor mentioned that as always, all comments will be made public unless requested by the author.

"Everything is wide open," he said.

The call for submissions from residents provides "a nice opportunity to have a discussion about these things," said Coun. Corey Vanthuyn, referring to budget development.

Comments can be posted to the call for submissions page on the city's website, under the resident tab on the homepage.

The deadline for submissions is June 1 at 4:30 p.m.