THUNDER BAY -- On the eve of the formal beginning to the 2017 municipal budget process, the Budget Committee chairman said the city will need new revenue tools if it's going to balance budgets over the long term.
Coun. Frank Pullia called the property tax system "really, a regressive form of taxation," which he said particularly hurts people living on fixed incomes. He said the conversation to change the way the municipality is able to raise money for its annual budget has begun.
"We've had this discussion around council chambers and I know the Intergovernmental Committee is wrapping its head around how to bring that forward on the provincial and federal levels," Pullia said.
"You're going to be hearing more about that -- not only new sources of revenue but really challenging the whole basis of the property tax system. Is this the fairest way to go? It's more of a long-term objective. Between now and then, can we be given new powers at the municipal level to be able to manage all these challenges that are being downloaded on us?"
Pullia claimed downloading is part of what's making the budget more difficult to balance every year. Even three years ago, he contended, municipalities were responsible for fewer programs and services than they are today. The city's changing and increasing funding role, he said, needs to be recognized.
"The budget itself isn't just, 'bring in the tax increase of the consumer price index of the inflationary level.' It's a lot more than that," Pullia said.
"What is the city doing to provide the quality of life and the kind of services that makes Thunder Bay a good place to live in? Are we doing it in the best, the most effective and efficient way?"
Administration will present the budget's starting point at a press conference on Tuesday. Wednesday's meeting will include a long-term financial overview, looking forward to pressures of the next 10 to 20 years.
A series of deputation nights will allow for public feedback over the coming weeks. Council will then pass over the budget, line by line, in two meetings per week over three weeks until a final product emerges.
"We're going to finish early this year. Mid-February, we'll be done," Pullia said.
