Credit: CFJC Today
Armchair Mayor

ROTHENBURGER: Getting to zero will test City council’s mettle on budget

Aug 26, 2020 | 4:34 AM

KAMLOOPS — WHAT’S THIS, TAX CUTS at City Hall?

You heard it right. Kamloops City council voted Tuesday to keep next year’s budget increase as close to zero per cent as possible. The decision came after corporate services director Kathy Humphrey told them the COVID-19 pandemic has been eating into revenues and ballooning expenses.

The result, she said, was that a significant tax increase would be needed in 2021 to maintain the current level of services and keep plans for new projects on track.

Council had three options in front of them: stay the course and boost taxes, freeze them or spend even more in hopes of stimulating the local economy.

Coun. Denis Walsh wasted no time in making a motion to keep the tax increase to nothing. He got no argument from the rest of council except for Coun. Arjun Singh, who wanted to go out and consult with residents. Singh, however, saw which way the wind was blowing and fell in line with his colleagues, making the vote unanimous.

It could mean slashing $3 million to $4 million. Now all council has to do is stick to its guns and make some tough decisions when staff returns with some specific recommendations on how to accomplish it. That won’t be easy, as was demonstrated a few minutes later when it struggled to put the brakes on a potentially expensive plan for electric vehicle and electric bicycle plug-ins throughout the city.

They clearly don’t look forward to having to make choices from among the pet projects that will undoubtedly come forth from the community. Indeed, there was talk about how difficult their job is during the pandemic.

Maybe that’s why there was no mention of cutting their own pay to help ensure the zero-increase target can be reached. It’s the sort of thing that would demonstrate true leadership but not a move they’re interested in.

Overall, though, the decision was the right one, regardless of the fact the consequences may be felt for a long time. Taxpayers have consistently told council over the years they’re OK with increasing taxes in order to maintain the status quo on services, or to improve them.

COVID-19 has changed much about how we live, and a lot of things Kamloops residents have been used to in the way of services and amenities are going to be part of it.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.

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