Taxpayers urge frugal spending of civic dollars

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: January 13, 2012 1:00 AM
 Vernon politicians are being told to tighten their belts.  Six people attended a 2012 budget input session Thursday and the common theme was reducing spending and the burden on taxpayers. “We just got our assessments and most of us are poor,” said resident Jim Bodkin. “We’ve got to focus on being frugal. That means trying to get the most civic good for each dollar spent.” The current draft budget equates to a 4.69 per cent tax increase, but council recently established a preliminary tax hike range of zero to 2.3 per cent. “This isn’t a budget, it’s a wish list,” said Barry Beardsell, a former councillor, who blasted the number of employees on the payroll. “Some of them need to be let go and you need to go over that now.” Beardsell also urged council not to increase salaries for non-union administration. “Exempt staff, you are lucky to have a job,” he said. The city’s recent focus on bicycle paths came under fire. “In my neighbourhood, I don’t have a sidewalk to walk on. Yet you want to put in bike lanes I have to subsidize,” said Al Gilder, who also claims the city isn’t focused on ensuring affordable housing. “Every time you put taxes up, who pays for that — that person who pays the rent.” Gilder also took aim at recent comments from Mayor Rob Sawatzky that the purpose of a core service review isn’t to necessarily reduce staff. “Don’t have a review if you don’t intend to cut staff and programs to get the budget down,” he said. John Shumyk blasted the Vernon Public Art Gallery’s request for additional operating funds and money for a new facility. “If your programs have value, you should be able to charge an appropriate fee and recoup your costs,” he said. If a core review proceeds, Bodkin wants medical responder services considered. “We have fire trucks and firefighters but they are mostly used for non-firefighting.” Bodkin pointed out that firefighters comprise most of the city staff earning more than $75,000. “That’s damned expensive for going to a fender-bender,” he said. Coun. Juliette Cunningham wasn’t surprised by the tone of the public input. “They are throwing ideas out and they hope they will resonate with council,” she said. Budget discussions resume today at 9 a.m., with another public input session at 11:30 a.m.