Lindsay Manary

Regional Council · Region of Waterloo

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

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
Exploring new local revenue tools where permitted by provincial legislation
I would take a balanced
transparent approach that protects essential services while ensuring long‑term financial sustainability.

D. Growth & cost recovery

Ensure new development pays a greater share of long-term infrastructure costs
Re-evaluate development incentives or subsidies that create long-term liabilities
Maintain current growth and cost-sharing approaches

B. Service levels

Maintain current service levels, even if taxes rise
Adjust service delivery models to reduce costs without reducing access
Reduce discretionary programs to protect core services

C. Capital & infrastructure

Prioritize maintenance and state-of-good-repair over expansion
Require lifecycle cost analysis before approving any new infrastructure
Defer or cancel capital projects with low long-term return on investment

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

I would protect essential services like transit reliability, winter maintenance etc. by delaying non‑essential capital projects. This balances rising costs with service levels and long‑term financial sustainability in a responsible, transparent way.

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

I believe the budget process should be more transparent, more accessible, and more understandable so residents can clearly see how their tax dollars are being used and how decisions connect to community priorities. Clear and precise messaging, community feedback opportunities and updates on discussions and decisions at council should be widely promoted and displayed in various formats so that residents can understand what decisions are being discussed, and how/why decisions were or are made, what impacts they have on the community and have ample opportunity to provide discussion. Decisions should be reflective of the communities needs.