Council Remuneration

Council Remuneration

The Issue: Under the Municipal Government Act, City Council has the right to increase its own salary. However, just because we have the right to do it doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. Most residents don’t get to unilaterally increase their salary. Should City Council?

My Belief: I believe that while Council can exercise it’s right to increase the remuneration for the work of City Councillors, any increase should not commence until after the following municipal election.

Making Councillors Responsive, Responsible and Accountable

Making Councillors Responsive, Responsible and Accountable

The Issue: Do you know which Member of City Council is accountable to you? Do you know who is responsible for you, your neighbourhood and you passions or concerns? In theory, it’s all Members of Council. However, under our current ‘at-large’ electoral system*, no Member of Council has to respond to your issue, to your enquiry or to your needs. The reason is that if a Councillor chooses not to respond to you, s/he can still garner votes from other neighbourhoods and parts of the City.

Budget Cycle

Budget Cycle

The Issue: Until 2002, City Council deliberated and approved the Operating Budget every year. After that date, Council moved to a 3 year budget cycle, which permits department managers some flexibility in budgeting and program planning. However, with the Province declaring that local elections will now occur every four years, the City Manager has suggested that the Operating Budget also be deliberated and approved every 4 years.

Business Licenses

Business Licenses

The Issue: As a local entrepreneur, your business license costs $168 per year. However, what value or benefit does it offer you? Yes – the license permits the City to regulate commerce and trade within the community, but it does not offer the entrepreneur any incentive or payback.
As a citizen, finding a local business via the Internet can be a challenge.

My Belief: I believe that if local entrepreneurs require a business license, then there ought to be some benefit derived from the substantial fee required.

Professional Activity Report

Professional Activity Report

The Issue: Few citizens know what we do with our time. Yes - you see us every other Monday at a regular council meeting. You may follow the broadcast on line or on Shaw. You may not. Local media reports on the meeting, then (generally speaking) that’s it for two weeks. Most citizens see our work to this extent. So it begs the question: in your role as a steward of our City, what do you do outside of regular council meetings?

Independent Leadership

Independent Leadership

The Issue: City Council depends on its one employee – the City Manager – for technical guidance, contextual information and data support on all issues that come before Council. The City Manager gets this information from the Corporation’s professional bureaucratic staff, staff who have technical expertise in various fields applicable to all aspects of our municipality. Thus, it is the role of the City Manager to present options for City Council to consider, with clear and concise supporting information to help Council make the best choice.