It seems to me that the city has begun to exhibit the Peter-Paul syndrome. Really. Consider the facts. They have proposed: a cut bus schedules, recreational facility times, and snow budgets (amongst other things) while creating a safety position in Electrical, and three other ‘vital’ jobs.
They have also increased their wages, and proposed new fees like our $165 secondary suite tax, associated business tax, and the $25 extra fee for any ticket.
Is this the Jekyl-Hyde scenario, rob Peter to pay Paul, or do we have a case of financial dualities?
While we do have a growing city, both population and area wise, we do have a financial base that cannot long-term support a growth-first mentality. At some point, we will grow so fast that the outside regions of our city will receive services while essential areas will be cut. In effect, we will achieve our limits to growth ... I think we have in many ways.
To celebrate our financial dilemma, I propose the following new fees. Keep in mind these are Jekyl-Hyde/Peter-Paul scenarios. ...
l Establish a $500/year grow-op fee. Surely the high number of ‘self employed’ business people can afford that.
l On that note, initiate a $150 per year grow-op business licence.
l Establish a Support Red Deer City Hall bottle collection depot. Every penny counts.
l Establish a $5 per vehicle road fee (attached to our licences) to help maintain our roads during winter.
l Once the new connector is up and going, put in a toll booth.
l Sell advertising on city-produced billing documents.
l Sell naming rights to the proposed City Hall expansion.
l Merchandise Red Deer ... have you seen the new mayor bobble head? Gotta love that creative flair.
In short, I am being somewhat cynical, but my point remains.
How far will we allow city finances to go before we stop borrowing for public projects, how far before we stand up and say slow down ... or question a growth-first mentality when we already have existing projects that are not complete, or finished but not full to capacity?
We all have to consider that the resources of Red Deer City Hall, and thereby Red Deer citizens, are limited. No amount of careful planning will erase irresponsible debt or the nasty taste of private crusades or costly foolish shared agendas.
Tim Lasiuta
Red Deer