City council gave its directions for the 2012 budget, which could increase taxes by 1.5 per cent.
Council on Monday voted in 9-2 in favour of a recommendation to increase property taxes, a move that could close the city’s infrastructure deficit by 60 per cent. That increase was said to be one of the more popular options, according to an Ipsos-Reid survey.
City administration presented the survey to city council in an effort to get official directions on next year’s budget.
“No one likes to see their taxes go up,” City Manager Tim Commisso said.
“This particular initiative, with dedicated infrastructure toward roads, I personally think has support. And I’m not getting any concerns raised. I think people expect council to deal with these kinds of decisions and make investments in their community.”
Coun. Andrew Foulds said it was time for council to get serious and adopt a vision for the city.
Unlike provincial and federal governments, municipalities don’t run deficits but instead hide them by not paying for infrastructure.
Foulds said infrastructure around the city was bad and gave the example of a bridge in his ward that was beyond repair.
“I think this plan in front of us today is about doing something,” he said.
“I think people understand a rise in taxes if they are satisfied with the service, they see that value and they see infrastructure being fixed. I think this is a plan that would do that.
“We got to get bold and get bold now,” he added. “It’s time to show some courage and have a vision of what this community should look like in 15 to 20 years. It’s time we fixed this city.”
Coun. Aldo Ruberto said the taxpayers shouldn’t always have to shoulder the burden in order to fix problems in the city and added that every avenue should be looked at to ensure that no option was overlooked.
Coun. Trevor Giertuga reminded his fellow councillors that they were only debating a recommendation to give administration directions and they should save budget deliberations for another time.
Council also voted to cap the tax at 2.5 per cent but that amendment was defeated 6-5.
Later on council ratified the 2012 interim tax levy due dates. The two instalments will fall on March 5 and May 7.
