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By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Supplemental budget items need another look

Mar 3, 2024 | 6:00 AM

KAMLOOPS COUNCIL IS TRYING HARD to lighten the load on taxpayers by discussing whether or not they should cut back on some of the budget items that will lead us to an approximately 11 per cent tax hike this year. Coupled with other rising costs and the possibility of going to a referendum to finance various cultural and sports facilities, council is facing critical choices.

But I question the thought processes being exercised in some of these decisions. Costs will only get higher as time goes on and public works projects, increased law enforcement and other supplemental budget items need to go ahead. Otherwise, you and I will be paying much more down the road. Let’s bite the bullet and get on with it.

Having said that, there are a couple of items I think need another look. The fire department wants a vehicle that will allow them to provide quick response to medical emergencies. The city has been assisting the ambulance service for years, regularly arriving before the ambulance does. But when they do, they have to respond with full-size trucks and they have to stay until paramedics arrive, so they are not able to respond to an emergency fire call. Using a million-dollar fire truck for this purpose is wrong. The smaller but properly equipped vehicle is ideal.

But the city shouldn’t be paying for this. This is the responsibility of the province, who are simply downloading the cost onto the municipality. And if the city pays for this, they are letting the province off the hook. It’s a tough call, but it’s time to get this problem fixed.

This whole thing was really started by the NDP in the 1970s and it’s only become worse over time. The question boils down to making the purchase, continuing the current costly system, or refusing to send the fire trucks out to help. That would certainly get the province’s attention, but at what cost? I don’t think that’s an option anyone wants to think about.

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Oh, and one final thought. With all of the concern about drought, wildfires, the need for year-round sprinkling regulations, low water levels, possible lack of drinking water, who in their right minds would consider cutting the Climate Action Levy? Yet that’s what apparently is going to happen. The biggest single problem facing us today, bar none, and five of our elected councillors are going to stick their heads in the sand like ostriches.

I guess we shouldn’t be surprised.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

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