By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: April. 6, 2012
It was arguably one of the most important council meetings of the year, one in which the councillors and CAO and all the senior staff, including the top cop and fire fighter, were present.
There were the roundtables, there was coffee and tea, and there were cookies.
Only YOU were missing.
No more than 14 people turned up to give their input on the budget at a special council meeting held at the Squamish Seniors Centre on March. 2.
There were about ten engaged citizens, along with two reporters and of course, Terril Patterson.
The town hall style meeting started with a slide show presentation on the district’s financial plan, followed by a question and answer session with the district officials.
As you might be aware, the effective tax increase for this year is 7.5 per cent, which is slightly higher than the average tax increase of 6 per cent that Squamish has seen in the past.
The RCMP costs have bumped up the tax increase this year, but this year won’t be the only time citizens would see a tax increase.
Squamish citizens might see their taxes increase to as much as 10 per cent next year, although CAO Kevin Ramsay says the district will try to find a way to reduce that number.
To fund capital projects, the district has had to carry a debt load of $8 million, which adds another two per cent in tax increase.
In fact, as much as 16 per cent of the proposed budget funding comes from borrowing, and 6 per cent goes towards servicing the debt.
“We are over relying on our debts to fund capital projects. Funding it at this rate won’t be sustainable,” said the general manager of financial services, Joanne Greenlees.
“It’s likely that taxes will need to be raised to meet demand,” she added.
But before giving those grim statistics, CAO Kevin Ramsay also listed the district’s achievements for 2011, which include O’Siyam Pavilion, Buckley Ave. Traffic Calming, Skyline Place and Drive Bank Stabilisation, Annual Paving, and Corridor Trail.
Among construction projects, a new roof at the Alex Munro Fire Hall, a cycle path initiative, and Squamish dike rip rap were also counted as council achievements for 2011.
Squamish was rewarded handsomely with grants last year. There was $1.2 million for flood protection, about $400,000 for Stan Clarke Park, $4 million in landfill upgrades, and $375,000 for the O’Siyam Pavilion.
The district officials also came forward to answer questions.
Tim Hoskin, the new director of recreation services, said the district is planning to spend $1.5 million on the new fitness centre.
With a membership potential of 140 gym members, he said the district estimates the fitness centre would recover its cost in five years.
“The fitness centre is just a plan. This would be the year for investigation,” he said.
Linda Glenday, the head of protective services, said the district is hopeful of opening the Community Police Office, and coming up with a new fire master plan.
The meeting ended with a vigorous debate over economic development among Auli Parviainen, John Jervis, Mayor Rob Kirkham, and Coun. Ron Sander.
Here’s a breakdown of where your tax dollars go: 33 per cent go to capital infrastructure projects, followed by protective services (13 per cent), then followed by general government (10 per cent), contributions to the reserve (9 per cent), transportation services (7 per cent).
Recreation and Parks (7 per cent), Waste Disposal health and welfare (4 per cent), and Community Development (3 per cent) are the last three areas where the taxation money goes.
Don Patrick says
My theory is that the only time people go to council is when they want something and now we are seeing what happens when you get those things you want…. have to look after them, borrow money to take care of the depreciations and this is all happening with the lowest borrowing rates in many a year. Maybe we should go without for a while…few pot holes never hurt anyone, take care of crime like in the old days, few uncontrolled fires, take the taxi to the hospital… of course to maintain the Squamish culture none of this should happen in my back yard.
Larry McLennan says
Unemployment increasing, many businesses struggling to keep afloat, several going out of businessand significant debt. Council’s answer- give themselves a 30% raise. Is this raise going to make them any more capable- No! In my view, the capabability of a few is questionable to begin with. It is interesting to note that when the remuneration increase was brought forward ; the vote went 4 to 3 in favor, but when the question was to be called , one of the proponents was absent which meant the, if only 6 were present, the vote would presumably have been split evenly and thus , defeated. In light of this situation, one councillor who had voted against the initial proposal declared he didn’t like the wording and thus the vote was deferred to later when it expected the will be a full slate of councillors attending. This makes one wonder how much against this increase the “opponents” actually were. Also interesting to note is that West Vancouver council gave themselves an increase for the first time in a decade. They now onlty make slightly more than Squamish council will with this latest proposed increase. The mayor, who opposed the increase, has stated that he will donate his entire increase to a local charity. I wonder if any of Squamish’s council will follow this example and donate all to the Women’s Centre , Hilltop House , the Food Bank, etc. This could make net outflow of municipal funds more revenue neutral (the donations could offset grants to whatever amount the councillors donated). I haven’t heard any of this coming from council and I won’t hold my breath waiting for it. It’s all about the money.