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Citizens group to council: You better watch out

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In Midland
Dec 30th, 2010
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Coalition formed prior to election vows to keep close eye on municipal spending
By Travis Mealing Midland Mirror Dec 22, 2010
MIDLAND – Town councillors received a stern reminder Monday that a Midland citizens group will be watching how they spend taxpayer dollars.
“Town council and the town’s personnel have no business spending money at a pace greater than the rate of inflation,” said Stewart Strathearn, a member of the Coalition for Fair Taxes, a group that formed prior to the Oct. 25 municipal election.

He noted the group’s membership is at 150 and growing, with each individual concerned that the 2011 budget process threatens to end in a spending increase of as much as five per cent.
“When local government fails in their responsibility to control spending by not making tough choices, you … abrogate your responsibility to lead, and pass the burden on to the taxpayers,” Strathearn advised in a 10-minute presentation to council.
He urged elected officials to make the “tough choices” necessary to keep spending increases to two per cent or less in 2011. Among the moves he suggested was a hiring freeze for municipal employees.
“You must focus on the items that have the largest impact on the budget,” he said, adding staffing costs represent the “lion’s share” of municipal expenditures.
Coun. Pat File replied that may be easier said than done, as the Town of Midland is a “big ship” that can’t be turned on a dime.
Another potential issue is that lower staff levels may be accompanied by fears of substandard service, but Strathearn said that doesn’t have to be the case.
“Service levels do not have to be a casualty of a constraint process, but they may have to be realigned to fit with the economic realities,” he said, adding amalgamation of some services with neighbouring Penetanguishene could be explored.
In addition, rather than big-ticket items like the town hall expansion or a new pumper truck for the fire department, Strathearn said the coalition wants to see spending on programs that help those most in need, such as affordable housing.
“If we only have $1 to spend, then 99 cents of that dollar should be spent on supporting the most needy in our community.”
Coun. Jim Attwood responded such social programs should be a federal, provincial or county responsibility.
“The people in this town of 16,000 have enough on their plate,” he said, drawing attention to the competing interests of lower taxes and increased social services.
Mayor Gord McKay called Strathearn’s presentation “thought provoking,” and indicated it is “one we will take to heart during our budget deliberations.”

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