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A number of citizens have taken the time to respond with their thoughts regarding our ongoing budget process. One approach which we can take to our budget is that we have a number of options - one being to invest in our community, to make it more attractive, to make it more appealing for development, to make it more appealing to new investors and to make it more appealing to new residents - with the goal of expanding our tax base and ultimately making us more prosperous and resilient.
We can expand our tax base by making our community more appealing and more inviting to new residents and new developers and also by spending time (and money) on revisiting our bylaws on issues such as secondary suites and smaller lot sizes to increase our density. We have other options of course. We can simply continue to "maintain" our City (the status quo or "treading water"), or we can look to reduce services and by doing that lower taxes.
One of the goals of our City Council is to diversify Port Alberni’s economy, to work towards a New Port Alberni that is not dependent on one industry, away from the model which has been bequeathed to the current generation. While we of course have to be financially responsible, simply standing still or cutting services isn't going to move us in that direction.
One method for approaching our budget as well as understanding our present "status quo" can be done by making an analogy between our City and and a large older house . A large older house which needs not just maintenance but also some major improvements such as a new hot water tank, new energy efficient windows, new carpets , modern plumbing, up to date insulation and needs to be brought up to code in its electrical system. A large older house that could also use some new siding, whose roof is getting near the end of its life and the yard needs some decent landscaping. Other than that, it is a very sound structure in an extremely desirable location. Imagine one such large, ten suite house that has five vacant suites and you have our City. If we can fix it up and make it more attractive to additional residents it will be more enjoyable as well as more affordable because more people will want to live in it and more people will be sharing in the costs.
Of course as home owners know, this maintenance and these improvements cost money. But did you know that of all the taxes which are collected from us in Canada only about 9% find their way back to local City governments. As a Council we are determined to claw from the hands of the federal and provincial government any funds which we can but much of the initiative (and funding) is going to be up to us, the home owners.
What do we currently pay per month for our City services? The average home owner in Port Alberni pays approximately $194.00 per month for a home valued at $190,000.00.
What do we as householders currently spend individually on such simple every day items as cel phones,house phones,cable tv and computer hookups per month ?Take an honest look at your own household budget and add it up.What figure did you reach - perhaps $150 - $200.00?
Compare this to what we pay per month for City services such as safe water, adequate sewer services, clean usable roads, police and fire services, a Library, a Museum, garbage collection and recycling, numerous Grants in Aid for charitable and public safety groups ,an aquatic facility and Multiplex as well as all of our Parks and Recreational facilities and fields.
The question is: are we willing to invest some extra funds this year, a year in which we are not facing any looming economic threats, to move in this direction, this direction of a new more vibrant, more enticing Port Alberni. Under the current Strategic Plan carrying out the initiatives which the community has indicated to be on their want list, will cost an additional$23.00 per month for the average $190,000 house .Are we willing to invest $23.00 per month into the future of our City for ourselves and our children? This could be the year to do it. The choice is ours to make and we need your help to make it.
Our City Council needs your input during our current budget process. We know you want to move forward. Now that you know the cost involved, do you still feel the same way? In addition to maintaining the status quo, in addition to paying your regular taxes, are you willing to invest an additional amount to help us move toward acheiving a larger tax base?
I recently came across a saying -- "Why should we expect anyone else to invest in our community if we are not willing to invest in it ourselves?".
Please look at our Strategic Plan, think about it and let us know . We on City Council do not have a Magic Wand --- I have looked high and low throughout City Hall over the last few years and - believe me -- it's not there.The Magic Wand is you -- us -- we - the people of Port Alberni .
Thanks you for reading this , thank you for your time.
