Simon Guthrie

Regional Council · Region of Waterloo

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

This candidate has participated in events hosted by one or more of the organizations that created this questionnaire. Their traffic light scores are based solely on the published methodology.

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

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
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

If costs are rising faster than revenues, I would **defer lower-priority infrastructure expansion before cutting essential services or allowing existing assets to deteriorate**. For example, I would rather postpone a road-widening project than reduce transit service or defer necessary maintenance to water, wastewater, roads, and other existing infrastructure. New capital projects create not only an upfront cost but decades of operating and maintenance obligations. Financial sustainability means maintaining what we already have, scrutinizing expansion carefully, and being willing to say “not yet” when a project would create costs we cannot responsibly sustain.

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

I would like more of the process to take place outside working hours, ensuring that more people can participate.