Another agenda package read and notes made for tomorrow's Council meeting.
Everyone who went down to Calgary for AUMA is back and they have a great time of meeting, learning, and sharing with other elected officials and levels of government. I was disappointed that I wasn't able to head down this year due to the Restaurant being short staffed. That's what happens you have other commitments.
I missed the opportunity to hear a keynote speaker that I really wanted to hear. Which was Commander Hadfield, maybe I'll be able to catch him speak at another event.
Sunday, 24 November 2013
Sunday, 10 November 2013
Done for another year
Budget meetings are done for another year. The first night there was 9 people in the gallery, 5 the next night and only 4 on the final night where all the additions and subtractions were made to the budget.
After it was all the dust settled, it came to a 11.55% increase. It sounds like a big increase but it works out to be $18.55 per month for an average house ($400,000 is the average price in our area). For the last six years Council have been slowing increasing tax rates to provide services for the community but it wasn't enough to offset the 9 consecutive years of 0% prior to 2008.
There is nothing wrong with that philosophy, it was the direction and vision of that Council. I wanted to address the issues that I've heard most often, the deterioration of service levels and policing and public safety. I'm glad that the rest of Council have heard the same message and we were able to add personnel to address these issues.
My hope is that we continue to provide the services our residents expect and deserve. It takes a lot of planning and vision to set up a municipality that will be sustainable into the future.
After it was all the dust settled, it came to a 11.55% increase. It sounds like a big increase but it works out to be $18.55 per month for an average house ($400,000 is the average price in our area). For the last six years Council have been slowing increasing tax rates to provide services for the community but it wasn't enough to offset the 9 consecutive years of 0% prior to 2008.
There is nothing wrong with that philosophy, it was the direction and vision of that Council. I wanted to address the issues that I've heard most often, the deterioration of service levels and policing and public safety. I'm glad that the rest of Council have heard the same message and we were able to add personnel to address these issues.
My hope is that we continue to provide the services our residents expect and deserve. It takes a lot of planning and vision to set up a municipality that will be sustainable into the future.
Sunday, 3 November 2013
Democracy?
As I finish preparing for budget meeting the next three evenings, I wonder how many people will come out and watch the proceedings?
Ever since I've been on Council, there has been no more the 5 people in the gallery during budget meetings. I've never been to a budget meeting until I was elected onto Council, so I can guess that people are interested or just happy with whatever the decisions are of those we've elected.
Now that I've been involved for a few years, I see how important these decisions are and how the effect the residents and property owners of our community. As a form of government, municipal officials are the closest to the people and the decisions made at the level have the most daily impact on the people.
After an election (only 20.8% of eligible voters voted in Stony Plain), are people happy to just let the elected officials make the choices for them? Do we place so much trust in our elected officials or the choices of a few voters to govern on our behalf.
Voter turnout in Federal, Provincial and Municipal elections on average are 55-70%, 45-65%, and 20-40% respectively. It should make one wonder if we really have a democracy? At least we have the right to vote if we chose to exercise it.
Just random thoughts after a long week and preparing for another.
Ever since I've been on Council, there has been no more the 5 people in the gallery during budget meetings. I've never been to a budget meeting until I was elected onto Council, so I can guess that people are interested or just happy with whatever the decisions are of those we've elected.
Now that I've been involved for a few years, I see how important these decisions are and how the effect the residents and property owners of our community. As a form of government, municipal officials are the closest to the people and the decisions made at the level have the most daily impact on the people.
After an election (only 20.8% of eligible voters voted in Stony Plain), are people happy to just let the elected officials make the choices for them? Do we place so much trust in our elected officials or the choices of a few voters to govern on our behalf.
Voter turnout in Federal, Provincial and Municipal elections on average are 55-70%, 45-65%, and 20-40% respectively. It should make one wonder if we really have a democracy? At least we have the right to vote if we chose to exercise it.
Just random thoughts after a long week and preparing for another.
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