Janet Cox

City/Township Council · Woolwich Ward 3

All topics Housing Getting Around Climate Food Growth & Planning Budget & Taxes

This candidate finalized their responses after this guide and scoring methodology was published.

Budget & Taxes

Do you think the Region's or municipality's budget process should be more transparent and accessible to residents?single choice

It should be more transparent and accessible

Municipal and regional costs have generally risen faster than revenues restricted by property tax rules and limited local revenue tools. How would you balance tax increases against maintaining service levels and long-term financial sustainability?select up to 3 per part

A. Revenue approaches

Moderate, predictable tax increases to maintain service levels
Actively pursue provincial and federal transfer funding and grants
Rapidly implement energy saving technologies that lower the consumption of energy by municipal buildings and transportation to save money and green house gas emissions in the future.

D. Growth & cost recovery

Re-evaluate development incentives or subsidies that create long-term liabilities
Higher level governments should pay a greater share of sustainable long-term infrastructure costs
especially when promoting or mandating growth strategies.

B. Service levels

Adjust service delivery models to reduce costs without reducing access
ensure that services that protect the environment
mitigate against climate change and support low-income and vulnerable residents are maintained.

C. Capital & infrastructure

Prioritize maintenance and state-of-good-repair over expansion
Require lifecycle cost analysis before approving any new infrastructure
All new capital projects should be durable and energy efficient to decrease unecessary energy use and repair costs.

Please describe one concrete example of a trade-off you would support (or oppose) when costs rise faster than revenues.candidate's own words

Seeking technical innovations that can accomplish needed services more efficiently and therefore cost effectively. Seek industry partners for demonstration projects and sponsorship to offset costs to taxpayers.

Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on budgets?candidate's own words

Plain language and graphic summaries that are up to date and using plain language should be available. Understanding budgets and financial literacy should be part of school curricula.

If you chose "It should be more transparent and accessible", please describe how.candidate's own words

Budgets should be shared with residents in a way that is clear and understandable. Tools to interpret information in a clear and non-technical way should be explored.