Council Works For Us, Not Them: MULVIHILL
The City of Ottawa had a $10.4 million surplus in the first six months of 2024.
The surplus is due to staff vacancies, higher residential water consumption and lower winter maintenance costs. Residents should be over the moon with this windfall but could this surplus be transferred to programs that might need a buck or two? There are myriad of areas that could use a little help:
- Public transit is so bad that roads are bumper to bumper chock full of cars;
- Potholes are flourishing ($375 for a front tire, thank you very much);
- Weeds have overtaken most, if not all, public areas;
- Residential household waste will be reduced to three bags every two weeks;
- LRT remains a distant dream;
- Hundreds of millions were paid to unknown LRT contractors for secret settlements …
The list could go on but you get the drift.
It seems that only with additional fees and charges or lower costs can this city realize financial mediocrity. Understanding that circumstances change throughout the year, perhaps it would be wiser to budget for more rather than averaging costs with a reasonable increase thrown in for good measure.
There are salaries, benefits, supplies, maintenance, utilities, and associated increases for all expenditures to be considered but if programs are in the red, a closer analysis case-by-case must be included in each budget process to gain a clear understanding. If there isn’t enough money in the budget to fix the potholes or cut the weeds and grass or pick up garbage, then something isn’t working.
It’s a simple enough equation.
To direct staff to prepare a budget with a 2.5-per-cent tax increase is unrealistic. At some point reality hits home. Our city is in a sad state of disrepair but politicians’ pet projects take precedence. Why? The city’s reserves are nearly depleted and financial destitution is on the horizon.
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and every single councillor works for and must answer to residents. Do it.
Something has to give.
Donna Mulvihill is a community activist and former hospital coordinator
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“To direct staff to prepare a budget with a 2.5-per-cent tax increase is unrealistic. At some point reality hits home.” So then, the implication is staff being authorized to bring forward a budget proposal that has an increase of what? 5%? 10%. More? “Reality” given the fiscal situation – is NOT directing staff to bring forward a budget with a set increase. “Reality” means a draft budget that shows costs for essential services; mandatory expenditures such as debt servicing; non negotiable increases; savings; and contingencies. And ALWAYS – the implications of making changes to the draft. “Reality” is not now – or ever – last year plus a set % increase. Make the staff work Council. Make them deliver.
Might I suggest a survey to take back from those who have done the most damage, the councilors. Those who receive an A do not have to return any of their salary, a B warrants a 20% return, a C a 30% return, a D a 40% return, and an F a 50% return. The survey should be run and the results published by an independent organization like, say, the Bulldog. The money returned should help the city out some and with any luck, some of these people might resign.
Donna The only “GIVE” will be from YOUR pocket since there is no spine in council and the mayor seems to be beholden to developers and influencers. Be prepared to give more in taxes and increased fees including the “hidden” water and garbage fees now removed from the property taxes.