NEWS EDITORIAL

March 31, 2008

Dear residents,

As you are aware, the proposed $50 snow levy came to City Council over the past two days, and was open to debate.

The one-time levy would have worked out to be a 2.3 per cent increase on your property tax bill, which already stood at a 4.9 per cent. This would have increased your property tax to 7.2 per cent.

A motion was brought forth at Council by Councillor El-Chantiry, and seconded by myself, to spend $14.6 million of our $70 million infrastructure budget to pay a portion of the expected $23 million shortfall in this year’s snow-removal budget.

When we receive the $14.6 million announced by the Provincial government for infrastructure renewal, those dollars will replenish our infrastructure budget, and bring the total back to $70 million.

As such, rather than increase your property taxes beyond the previously committed 4.9 per cent level, Council voted to use the $14.6 million we already have. The remaining $8.4 million balance might be revisited in the 2009 budget process, or handled through efficiencies.

I felt it was unfair to keep going back to the proverbial well (you, the taxpayers) to balance our budget.

Council will still spend $70 million this year to improve our road systems, including rectifying pothole issues, which is an increase of $20 million from 2007 levels.

Additionally, as part of the 4.9 per cent tax increase, there is a 2 per cent levy for general infrastructure renewal.

Thank you for your many comments on the issue.

Sincerely,
Councillor Shad Qadri

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