MARCH 20, 2009
Citizens of Vernon have much to be concerned about in the 2009 budget. Most city councils are concerning themselves about affordability and are concerned about the present economic times, but this Council and Administration are ignoring reality and misleading the taxpayers:
1. In the 2009 budget, Council has shown no regard for the residents in the Okanagan Landing and by a deceptive change in taxation for the fire department, are about to cover up an irresponsible budget, by shifting much of the increases on to Okanagan Landing residents. The budget already shows a 25.7% increase in fire and rescue costs from 2008, and that is without paid members being put into the Landing. The 'average' tax increase of $19.75 quoted by Shawn Lee is too simplistic! It will be more or less depending on assessed land value with the biggest hikes going to the Okanagan Landing residents because of the integration of the fire tax.
2. The budget includes the hiring of more City Staff to the tune of $700,000 for this year in a time when City Councils everywhere are laying off and freezing hiring. These positions are NEW positions and wage increases for non-union personnel seem to have no limits. Does Vernon City Council think it will not be affected by the worldwide recession?
3. Critical expenditures have been excluded from general expenses and will be taken out of reserve funds so that the budget does not appear as excessive as it really is.
4. Road rehabilitation expenses have been moved out of “operating Expenses” (approx-$1.4 million dollars) to capital expenses to make operating expenses appear lower.
5. Operating expenses excluding interest, debt repayment and capital are up 8.7% over those of 2008.
6. Council has not even considered the major costs that will follow once park acquisitions are in place with the $5 million borrowing approved 3 years ago and once our share (40%) of the cost of the hospital addition is in place to the sum of $432.5 million (revised cost from $200 million). This Council appears not to be looking to the future with this budget.
It seems that this Council, that such a short time ago stressed openness and accountability when seeking your vote, is now misleading us, the taxpayers of Vernon.
And what would the additional tax costs have been if the Civic Centre extravaganza that administration, Mayor Lippert and Councillor Gilroy wanted had been approved by the electorate?! The Vernon & Districts Taxpayers' Association, by their actions during the Alternate Approval and Referendum processes, saved the overburdened Vernon Taxpayers over $50 million. We are now sounding the alarm again.
We urge the public to attend the Public Input session on March 30 at 5:30 pm at City Hall. The public can pick up a copy of the 2009 Budget at City Hall or download it at http://www.vernon.ca/services/finance/documents/2009-2013_Financial_Plan.pdf
For further information about the 2009 budget, contact Barry Beardsell, recent former Vernon City Councillor.
Contact: Barry Beardsell, former Vernon City Councillor, 542-2296
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