New council will quickly shape its legacy

Taxes set to grow 40 per cent over next four years
Comment by Chris Simon Innisfil Scope october 20 2010
Once the election takes place, the real work will begin.
The next term of council will officially start Dec. 1, with members almost immediately being subjected to tough decisions. Within the first few months of office, council will set capital and operating budgets, which will shape the path of the municipality for years. There have been many promises made over the last few months, from spending restraint and job growth to opening communication and the creation of a transportation network.
Between the decisions made by the current council, and lofty targets set during the election campaign, some difficult commitments will need to be made over the next few years.
As with the current term, the next four years will be defined by how the municipality handles growth pressures. The town will need to work with the province, County of Simcoe and Barrie to implement local growth plans, and meet the servicing requirements of a population expected to double over the next 20 years. Council must work cooperatively, and drop the petty name calling that all to often defined border negotiations prior to the annexation, to secure the Highway 400 employment zone. The county is still awaiting the approval of its Official Plan by the province; once that take place, it will be up to the town to conform quickly, so staff can start planning for long-term growth.
Well-paying employment opportunities will need to be created within the town, as soon as possible, to create a complete community. Right now, about 85 per cent of Innisfil’s eligible workforce commutes outside of town for employment, a statistic that is simply to out for whack with provincial growth policy, and ideal property tax structures. The town should consider starting the search for an economic development officer quickly into the new term, to encourage businesses to step-up in Alcona’s downtown core, and plan an in-depth strategy for employment along the 400.
Council will also need to strike a balance between fiscal restraint and providing the necessary infrastructure for a growing municipality. Due to commitments on the Innisfil Recreation Complex, New Town Hall, Innisfil Beach Road an other large-scale projects, taxes are pegged for a 40 per cent increase over the next four years. In the next term, potential projects like the GO Transit train station, sidewalks along St. John’s Road, crosswalks near schools, an expansion of wastewater treatment facilities, and servicing for new development may further commit tax dollars. While it’s easy to say spending will be reigned in, roads, recreational facilities, water and wastewater and other town infrastructure will still need to be maintained and repaired. The balance between servicing and fair taxes will truly test the new government.
Council members should also consider undergoing training, to better understand the longterm impact of their spending decisions. Largescale spending on a few items may have been a necessary move, but it has crippled the town’s ability to allocate funding for other important infrastructure projects. The long-term effects of this spending was never truly relayed to the public, or seemingly understood by the majority of council.
The incoming council will also need to repair the town’s image. Right now, council is viewed as disfunctional, something that stemmed from the confrontation between councillor Bill Pring and mayor Brian Jackson last June. The incident led to Jackson pleading guilty to uttering threats. While that issue has been formally resolved, there’s a lingering feeling amongst residents that the town’s credibility across the province has been damaged. There’s also a belief that the town often fails to listen to residents, or adequately inform them when an important decision is about to be made.
An incoming council should find ways to have a more open and direct connection with residents, and utilize the new multimedia platforms available at its disposal. Each member of council should consider creating their own websites, blogs, Facebook or Twitter accounts, to inform their consituents about important upcoming town news, or their opinions on particular issues.
Quite simply, council needs to regain the trust of constituents through cooperation, communication and wise spending. It will only take a few months for residents to find out if a true rebuild is underway