Annual tax hikes are unnecessary in Chatham-Kent.
We have a workable mix of population to retail commercial and a more than manageable municipal corporation, if managed prudently.
Rather than excessive spending and evaporating resources to attract outside business, we need to restructure our local governance and day to day management, similar or identical to Brampton’s recent restructuring initiative.
Outside private investment is automatically attracted to a well-managed municipal corporation, especially with responsibly obtained zero tax hikes.
Budget Chair Councillor Robertson recently announced a low resident turnout at the budget meetings was due to no service cuts. Partially correct! Hundreds of residents I’ve talked to the last few years are unanimous, in that, “CK does what they want anyway so why attend” “public meetings need to be after supper” “limited access to information and difficult understanding what is presented anyway”.
Councillor Sulman recently announced that property tax hikes are too steep and should be below 1.5% rather than the 1.9%. Partially correct as well! Our municipality can easily obtain an annual 0% tax hike with a target for an annual surplus amount, which, by itself is enough to spur an economy thru increasing disposable income and attracting investment. By doing so, would result in surplus amounts, as CK initiates tax hikes each year they could apply for tax reductions. CK keeps trying to sell their house without the required fixing and upgrades. A nice house with little or no needed repairs attracts buyers.
This year’s 1.9% tax hike represents about $2.5M. An amount and more, easily saved each year. We start with responsible, transparent, accountably and prudent municipal management, having open, complete, easy to access and understand, base and draft budget information presented to council and the residents in ample time before each budget NOT dumped on everyone at the zero hour, that only gives overviews, without detail and in a fashion that only a Philadelphia accountant would understand. This annual behaviour only disengages and alienates the public. By keeping pertinent information away from the public reduces public critique and undermines public ability to provide informed input and to be aware of what the hell’s going on with their money. Councillor Robertson feels low turnout may affect future public consultations, however, same is legislatively required.
Although our collective council should be the overseers, the watchdogs for wise investment, such isn’t happening. CK retains Deloitte and Touche Auditors, such only compiles financial reports based on what’s given them by CK, leaving our municipal corporation to control what’s given the auditors.
My Provincial presentation last month enforced the need for a municipal Auditor General, different in that, an auditor general conducts performance reviews, stops inappropriate and ineffective spending before same becomes a taxpayer liability.
John K. Cryderman
Chatham
– Photo credit: Municipality of Chatham-Kent
