Cambridge β€” Ward 6

1 candidate responded Β· 0 of 0 section answers were β€œdid not respond”

Barbara Harrington See responses
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
  • Prioritize not increasing taxes and service fees
  • Exploring new local revenue tools where permitted by provincial legislation
  • Don't let taxes get in arrears to $38 million, developmental fees should stay and not be reduced. Tax breaks for major developments shouldn't exist especially in this time of economic crisis
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
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

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 think adjusting the development incentives and subsidies to maintain lower tax level or increase is ideal. It'll slow down our growth enough that we can build better infrastructure.

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

I think that a simplified "in and out" type budget that could be released to the public in a way that you don't need a finance degree to understand it. We don't need every fine detail of entry, You only need to have the revenue the expenses and the balance for each smaller section the larger infrastructure sections it can go a little more detailed but the simplified ones can be just in and outs

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On the ballot but have not responded to survey (3)

  • Randy Carter
  • Adam Cooper
  • Chris McCormick

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