Regina budget: Spend it if you got it!
Author:
David Maclean
2007/03/29
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on the City of Regina to rein in expenditures before raising taxes by 3.9 per cent - the figure forecast in the city's preliminary operating budget.
"Today Mayor Fiacco asked the Canadian Taxpayers Federation to stick to the facts when criticizing the tax increase and we're happy to oblige him," said CTF Saskatchewan director David MacLean. "The fact that matters most is that Fiacco promised in the election a few months ago to hold the line on property taxes. At least his opponents were honest about their proposed tax increases."
Budget facts
The preliminary budget, which will likely be supported by a majority of Council members, calls for a $9.2 million (4.7 per cent) increase in spending. The city manager's office budget is expected to rise by $1 million in 2007 in order to hire six new employees such as a "government relations" manager, a quality and innovation manager and a strategic planning manager. Spending in the mayor's office will rise by 50 per cent to accommodate another public relations consultant.
"It's pathetic that one of the largest spending increases is for hiring more bureaucrats in the city manager's office," added MacLean. "Since the 2005 budget, the city manager's spending has ballooned by 143 per cent or $1.2 million. Unless the government relations manager is going to pick up a shovel and fill potholes, taxpayers won't see value from this position."
"Mayor Fiacco has a choice," said MacLean. "If he cancels plans to hire more office help, he can reduce the proposed mill rate hike by a full percentage point. It's a start, at least."
Revenues
The preliminary budget shows revenue sharing from the provincial and federal governments will increase by $3.8 million over last year. Provincial revenue sharing will reach its highest level since the early 90s. Property tax revenues are forecast to be five per cent higher than last year.
"How much of a raise did taxpayers get this year " asked MacLean. "The fact that the city can't get by without a significant tax increase shows they have a spending problem, not a revenue problem."