Quote:
Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois
I'm a cycnic I know, but how hard can that be for a group that feels no shame asking for more money from every source every year.
Show me that they are actually planning to curb spending, and then I'll be impressed.
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Believe me, this is a much scaled-back budget from not just six months prior.
Inflation, the cost of materials and equipment, and the intense competition in the market for labour are just a few of the contributing factors.
Tax revenue generation is much less than the increase in growing service costs.
Another factor is the burgeoning outward push - that being urban sprawl. Much of the time the City has to provide roads, police, fire, garbage pickup, ambulance service, parks and maintenance well before the a community is fully developed - this means that costs are incurred well before the full value of property tax revenue flows from a new area.
To be honest, I was so out of the loop on this stuff before I started my current position, and I was cynical too about tax increases. However, if you actually take the time to understand what the City is trying to do, and why we are constantly rated as one of the best places in the world to live in, you can see why these increases are necessary.
I suggest if you feel like only contributing your share, take a look at municipal user fees being levied in other cities. For example, the City of Victoria has a user-fee system that is working great and helping the environment too.
You have to remember that if you don't want to pay higher taxes, there is an onus on the taxpayer to take action. Some examples include cutting down on garbage use, minimizing electricity use and don't waste water. Walk, bike or take transit to work, clean up your dog's poop in the park, shovel your sidewalk, recycle bottles........And of course the most important thing - GET INVOLVED. Voice your concerns to your alderman, attend Council sessions, write to the papers, participate in your community associations, start petitions, just do it!
Believe me when I say, the City wants to hear EVERYTHING if you're willing to speak up about it.
I know you guys don't like hearing that stuff, but it's true. I suggest you review the 2009-2011 budget at calgary.ca, any public library, or through City Hall. There is also an open house on Nov. 15 in the Municipal Building lobby.
Keep in mind that Council has to approve of the budget first; just because it's released doesn't mean it is final.