Over the last two weeks I have been adding the following to
the bottom of all my posts, “Note: Keep in mind one very important
number $4325”. I have received a lot of calls, emails and questions
asking me why $4325.
It is a very important number,
it is directly related to one of the most important choices the taxpayers are
going to have to make this fall. The choice between candidates who support a
large bureaucracy at the municipal office more suited to administrating a
community a lot larger than ours. Or candidates that support running a
community that recognizes our wealthy neighbors are not going to give us money
to maintain this large bureaucracy.
Why talk about this now? Several
reasons two days from now taxes are due what better time than now to recognize
a very important financial issue. Then the election is only “16” weeks away. It
is time for potential candidates to talk about where they stand on this and
other important issues.
Back to the $4325 that is
what our Municipal Administration is costing us every single working day
(Mon-Fri). Some people will not want to believe that number but do the math. Consider
the following numbers arrived at with the best information I could access. (If present
council and or administration feels I am off on any one of these I would gladly
change my numbers)
Director of Finance $110,000
Director of Planning,
Engineering and Public Works $120,000
Director of Protective
Services and Facilities $110,000
Fire Chief $95,000
Economic Development Officer
$100,000
Deputy Fire Chief $85,000
Public Works Supt $85,000
Total of $865,000
Additional 30% to cover costs
of benefits, WCB, EI, CPP, Health Insurance, Pensions etc.
Raises the total to $1,124,500
divided by 260 days is $4,325 a day.
Keep in mind this in no way reflects
the cost to the taxpayers of pickups, computers, cell phones, office supplies
etc.
Can we afford this and where
do potential candidates stand on this issue.
Think about this when you
slip your cheque into the municipal mail box this weekend.
