Matt Parker
City/Township Council · Kitchener Ward 3
Back to candidatesBudget & 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
- Exploring new local revenue tools where permitted by provincial legislation
D. Growth & cost recovery
- Re-evaluate development incentives or subsidies that create long-term liabilities
B. Service levels
- 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
Please describe one concrete example of a trade-off you would support (or oppose) when costs rise faster than revenues.candidate's own words
Moderating development charge reductions in conjunction with forward looking servicing agreements that prioritize water efficiency.
If you chose "It should be more transparent and accessible", please describe how.candidate's own words
There should be concrete efforts made to communicating financial reporting in a more unified and clear way, without closed sessions.