By "we" I mean the good taxpayers of the Crowsnest Pass.
Just a matter of a few months ago our leaders hired a "New" Public Works Manager, I entered the G+P meeting last night just as the Mayor was introducing the "New" Fire Chief.
If you take a moment to click over to the Municipality site @ http://www.town.crowsnestpass.ab.ca/finance-a-administration/employment you will see "we" are also in the process of hiring a Building Inspector/Safety codes officer, Development Officer, Director of Planning, Engineering and Operations, and a Manager of Corporate Services.
Wow if I was on the negotiating committee for CUPE I would be rubbing my hands and thinking what a wonderful year 2012 is going to be, nothing better for bargaining than an employer that's flush with cash and willing to spend it.
Least we forget "we" still have the Director of Community Services to come. Does anybody believe that it will end there?
Interesting video from You tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge4X86CxOUY this story was pointed out to me by one of my reqular readers. Its from the USA but pretty much in line with what's going on in the Pass of course on a much smaller scale. Please take a couple of minutes and check it out.
23 comments:
We are rubbing our hands don't worry.
I'm sure councillors are saying "thank god for the new Property Tax Penalty Bylaw."
Curious how many of those positions are replacing people that have left and how many are actually NEW positions?
Manager of Public Works
Previous council had eliminated this position so new position.
Fire Chief new position Kevin Robbins at the public forum stated this position would cost $105,000 per year
Building Inspector/Safety codes officer new position the municipality has not had its own building Inspector for probably 2-3 years. Building inspections were conducted by Park out of Lethbridge. Due to the lack of building in the CNP there was many dollars saved by not having a full time employee of the municipality doing this job.
Development Officer, this is replacing a present employee that is retiring.
Director of Planning, Engineering and Operations. This is a position that became vacant after Mr Thompson received the CAO position.
Manager of Corporate Services new position.
In the next couple of days I will do a more detailed cost break down of what these positions cost.
Remember its not just wages we are talking about.
We will see who's rubbing their hands two months from now!!
Dean do not forget that some of these positions will require a pickup, office etc.
Most people don't realize that when you hire an employee its not just the cost of the wages
Jack
I guess we have heard the last of the word efficiency at least until the next election
Dean I thought you were going to give us some insight on what these positions will cost us?
I think you can pretty well figure out what these positions will cost the taxpayers - in a word, lots and lots. Not just salary but all the perks they will also get. They are not in the real world you know.
36% agree with the new hiring - ha ha, friends and relatives voting no doub.
So tell me if I'm understanding this right the town hired a Fire Chief for what Kevin Robbins stated at the town hall meeting $105,000 a year. To look after the fire and rescue. I am looking at the minutes for the Dec 6th meeting and its shows those two departments costing the town roughly $470,000. Am I stupid? does it mean those two departments will have to cut one out of evry four dollars to pay for this position?
Marty
Maybe this is all part of the CNP stimulus program. We may have the highest taxes (plus penalties) in the province.
But everybody will have a job.
Or at least we will kick the seniors out of their homes and replace them with people coming in to fill all these job vacancies.
CNP Stimulus package, love it, too funny - or not.
Municipality must have too much money; I have not received a bill for my business licence yet.
10:18
In regards to your waiting for the bill for your business licence... Please be patient as they need time in order to schedule a retreat to discus your increase and an appropriate policy. But council wishes you the best for bringing this omition of potential extra revenue to their attention.
Dean, I just looked at the YouTube video link you added to this post. It sure is a good summary of how things work in bureaucracies governed by elected officials. The bureaucrats (locally known as administration), satisfies their ego by building a larger organization. The elected councilors satisfy their ego by sitting in lofty chambers debating lofty ideas pretending they are running things. No one rocks the boat, everyone gets what they want. Oh, the tax payer…I guess they pay.
It does not look like anyone of these councils are prepared to risk the high price of independent thought on any meaningful issue. The odd split vote on an appointment to the SDB does not constitute independent thought. Lack of public debate and transparency are always a bad sign of what is coming.
I hope taxes go up by a large number because the sheep will trust the shepard until the bitter end, unless he turns them over to the wolves first.
Anne
Anne, taxes have already gone up on the poor and destitute here by way of the new 'Property Tax Penalty Bylaw'... but don't worry, I'm sure they'll be in your pockets too, soon enough.
Jose has written a very insightful response to John Princes “Wall Street Greed Comes to the Crowsnest Pass” . I have been thinking about his comments for a few days and concluded when I voted for CHANGE I should not be too surprised when the leader I voted for wants to change the municipality to the same hierarchical structure he knows from his background of education. I am beginning to think a leader coming from an environment where no one has to wonder where the money comes from may not be the best leader for a community were taxes are too high.
Danny
Here is a copy of Joses discerning comments.
Jose said...
John, it is difficult to say whether the increase in the property tax penalty is related to the need to increase revenue to feed the bloated Administration. Could be. The Bureaucracy has become way way larger than is needed for the size of the Crowsnest Municipality. These guys are out of control and have a very high opinion of themselves as Managers and Administrators.
Once a Consulting firm sets up shop in the hallowed halls, as was the case after the departure of the previous Head, it is but a short step before it indoctrinates and seduces the Administration into thinking that they need an overhaul. That is what these guys do. Look at their web site to see how they operate. Did they not consider the size of the Crowsnest tax base when they made these decisions?
The result here includes a bigger and better Org Chart, that involves more and higher paid positions, AND the subordinates for them - if not now, they are coming. Never ends. Heck, the Crowsnest Municipality is way overstaffed for the needs to manage 6,000 souls. Just where does it think the money to support this Albratross will come from? Ridiculous!!!
Just like with any School Administration, the overhead staff become way overstaffed and self-serving, and overwhelmed with their importance, while the teachers themselves -- the reason there is an Administration -- become secondary. Where will it end?
Jose
Dean how much longer before they will have to look at taking on debt to house all these people. Either expanding the present office or upgrading another facility?
Darren
That was so well said Jose... I just dread the damage, that in most cases will be irreversable, that this administration will do within the next two years of their mandate. Yes, like most, I thought a bit of change would would be good here.It is time for a change. I now wish that I could sell my property for a quite a bit less than the assesment value so that I may change my address.
I would expect that assessed values will go down a lot this coming year.
So we will have to watch what game they play with the mill rate.
The old trick, values go down 20% but mill rates go up 25%.
Dean,
The Anniversary of the loss of a loved one such as yours is always a very difficult time for any family, and I am sure it is that way for you. Rest assured that you are in our prayers as we pray for God to give you comfort during your difficult hour.
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