Back at the start of this term of council, one of the first things that I asked for was a Sustainability Officer who could start us down the path of getting a sustainability plan. Council disagreed, and suggested instead that we start with a plan and see if we need an officer. It took allContinue reading “The Integrated Community Sustainability Plan”
Tag Archives: property taxes
A Vibrant, Mixed-Use Community
I’ve been writing a series on Brighton’s Land Banking initiative, addressing each aspect of the vision, including the six key values: Continuing that series, let’s talk about the value of adding a mixed-use, “complete community” on the edge of town. Mixed Use Traditional zoning by-laws emphasize a single use for each property. I still rememberContinue reading “A Vibrant, Mixed-Use Community”
Tightening Belts
Two nights ago was the all-candidates event, and a theme that came up quite strongly was the idea that we should tighten our belts and do whatever we can to avoid tax increases. I am not averse to the idea of keeping tax rates as low as we can; I pay taxes too, and IContinue reading “Tightening Belts”
In Praise of Gas Taxes
I recently read an article in the Northumberland News with the headline “Most Canadians oppose reinstating the federal gas tax Sept. 8, new poll finds. What Ontario drivers pay in fuel taxes — and what’s being proposed.” The article lays out a few key facts: Northumberland News then asks readers what they think, and almostContinue reading “In Praise of Gas Taxes”
Bang for Buck
This morning I attended the Codrington breakfast (which was lovely, as always!), and had a lively conversation over pancakes and sausages about rural broadband and the critical role it plays in economic development and the livelihood of residents. It brought up the question of how governments decide how to spend public funds for infrastructure: doContinue reading “Bang for Buck”
Much Ado About Nothing
I try not to write about things that are currently unfolding; I don’t want to accidentally spread half-truths about matters that are not yet settled, or worse yet, accidentally say something publicly that I’m obligated to keep private. But council’s agenda tonight includes a matter that has been subject to an awful lot of misinformation,Continue reading “Much Ado About Nothing”
Housing and Homelessness in Northumberland
Two weeks ago I was a speaker at the Northumberland Community Legal Centre’s annual Justice Forum, where the topic this year was homeless encampments. I brought a perspective from inside municipal government, talking about government as multiple overlapping systems each with their own jurisdictional distinctions and resource flows — a system of systems that, despiteContinue reading “Housing and Homelessness in Northumberland”
A Week in the Life of a Councillor
With the current budget including a potential raise for members of council, folks in Brighton are talking about what the position seems worth to them. As I wrote last week, I’m generally in favour of paying councillors well; I recognize that I’m biased in this regard, as a raise from $18k to $23k base salaryContinue reading “A Week in the Life of a Councillor”
Council Pay Increases
Last year I wrote about a proposal in Cobourg to increase their council’s pay, and why such proposals are always controversial. No politician wants to appear greedy, so we typically go many years with no adjustment to politician paycheques, until it can’t be ignored anymore; at that point, the increase to get pay back upContinue reading “Council Pay Increases”
Tax Increases, and What’s Driving Them
On Monday night we’ll be looking at the 2024 budget, and you can see the draft budget here. As it currently sits, we’re looking at an overall budget increase of almost 9%, and a tax increase of just over 7%. I know that number will set off alarm bells for some, even though it’s aboutContinue reading “Tax Increases, and What’s Driving Them”