Budget-Taxes No point in raising concerns after the fact

Municipal Council of the Crownest Pass is now in the process of debating budget. Some people feel that’s old news, it happens this time every year. No big deal if the taxpayers are not happy the politicians will feel the wraith of their displeasure and they will do better next year. Let’s not forget next year is an election year so we may get hit this year but election years are always better. 

This year is different, a three year budget is going to be put in place, if taxpayers are concerned they need to talk to their politicians soon. You may find yourself living with something that is not very appetizing for the next three years.

Is there hope to keep the never ending cost of living here in line? you bet below is a direct quote from Councilor Gallant election campaign now that we have waited a year or more into their term we need to reflect on those words. They certainly have  managed to put people into place and obviously there are more on the way. 

“When I discover that my business is doing something that is unnecessarily costing us money, I do not wait a year or two to start investigating it - I put the people or plans in place to solve it right away. The municipal council needs to have that same commitment and drive; it is our duty to the taxpayers of our town. Once we have learned to be more diligent, we should then go further and reduce our property taxes."

We need to hope that not just Councilor Gallant is fighting to keep our taxes down if not “reduced” remember Councilor Saindon stated the following during the election campaign words that also need to be reflected on and hopefully will provide the desire to slow the growth of how much we pay .

“Our Public Works Department needs to be consolidated, we have far too many locations and buildings to operate and maintain. Operational savings are waiting to be taken advantage and we need management to review all departments. In times of recession most businesses look at reducing operating costs through increased efficiency and automation. We need to look at our operation and find ways to reduce costs and increase productivity. My many years of experience in operations within large corporations reveals to me that we have a huge opportunity to take these cost reductions and use them to keep our tax increases at or near 0%.”

The press release as been on the Municipal web site since last July regarding the  “Consolidation of the Coleman and Blairmore shop” we all know that Councilor Saindon is on the management bargaining committee meeting with CUPE right now. We all look forward to the resulting savings from that process, the increased efficiencies that are just waiting to be taken “advantage” of. All of these things need to be achieved if we do not wish to see the never ending cycle of increases in our cost of living here do not forget it’s not just taxes it’s Franchise fees, Utility bills, user fees, (do not be shocked to see the water meter issue rise again).

Contact your councilors not just the ones above remind them of their election promises, remind them of your concerns its not just a regular budget, we will be living with this one for the next three years.

Let’s not forget last year most people were expecting a zero percent increase.

Councilor Saindon stated the following on his blog Feb 4^th

“We need good people in the right places and over time we will make those decisions and pay dividends for our community. Take the 0 % tax increase as a sign of good things to come.

And the following on March 21^st  after they had realized that they had not factored in the Education and Seniors Requisition.

“Can we still have no tax tax increase this year? My answer to that is yes and your administration and council will work to that end. Certain budget adjustments and programs may feel a further pinch ,but I am confident we can find the extra needed to offset the school board and senior’s housing increases for this year.”

That did not happen that  zero percent did indeed turn into 2% thanks to that unaccounted for  Provincial Education requisition. Fast forward to this year the province as already made it clear that they are going to take an additional 10% on the Education Requisition.

Those increased efficiencies those unnecessary costs need to be found now soon. Keep in mind that one a three year budget is in place even if you have a different council  next election it could well be both difficult and expensive to change course.