1093 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

Oh my gosh! In the CoV?

[Victoria Watcher]

[johnk2]

Got my water bill yesterday and what a nice surprise -

$275 solid waste charge that used to be in the prop tax is now tacked on to the water bill.

We actually consumed $135 of water plus the understandable $80 basic charge, no problem with either one.

The other charges were $275 solid waste; Sewer CRD debt $126 and $69 Sewer municipal.

 

So $215 actual water and $401 "other".

Cheaper to drink beer!

[A Girl is No one]

Don’t worry, your property tax bill should go down by the equivalent... (/cynical)

[On the Level]

Depending on where you live, Amalgamation will bring new services to be covered by your property taxes....like garbage pickup on the Westshore.  You'll also get full time paid employees instead of contracted services for things like the Parks department and say good bye to volunteers like firefighters.   Those costs will be distributed to everyone's tax bill in the amalgamated region.  Good times for BCGEU.

[Victoria Watcher]

Depending on where you live, Amalgamation will bring new services to be covered by your property taxes....like garbage pickup on the Westshore.  You'll also get full time paid employees instead of contracted services for things like the Parks department and say good bye to volunteers like firefighters.   Those costs will be distributed to everyone's tax bill in the amalgamated region.  Good times for BCGEU.

 

if amalgamation is done wrong yes.  which it usually/always is.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 03 December 2020 - 09:49 AM.

[johnk2]

Depending on where you live, Amalgamation will bring new services to be covered by your property taxes....like garbage pickup on the Westshore.  You'll also get full time paid employees instead of contracted services for things like the Parks department and say good bye to volunteers like firefighters.   Those costs will be distributed to everyone's tax bill in the amalgamated region.  Good times for BCGEU.

And every salary will be brought up to match the highest level currently existing for that function. I've seen three amalgamations up close (Montreal, Halifax, Toronto). Not a penny was saved and the bureaucracies became more remote and less responsive. That's my experience..

[spanky123]

And every salary will be brought up to match the highest level currently existing for that function. I've seen three amalgamations up close (Montreal, Halifax, Toronto). Not a penny was saved and the bureaucracies became more remote and less responsive. That's my experience..

 

You are right. Amalgamation is sold to the public on the basis that it saves money, it doesn't. What is does it help recruit better quality candidates and senior staff though as compensation is more competitive.

 

In Toronto, councilors bring in well north of $100K a year which makes it a full time job for them.

Edited by spanky123, 03 December 2020 - 11:50 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

again. that’s all amalgamation done wrong.

watch how a company does it rather than a public body. world of difference.

[Rob Randall]

again. that’s all amalgamation done wrong.

watch how a company does it rather than a public body. world of difference.

 

True, but free enterprise has the flexibility to shed poor performers. GE can merge with a CT scan company and say now let's get out of the TV/radio business.

 

Victoria can't merge with Esquimalt and say, now we are spinning off our unprofitable Oaklands/Burnside/Gorge area.

[On the Level]

 

again. that’s all amalgamation done wrong.

watch how a company does it rather than a public body. world of difference.

 

True....but Municipalities exist to simply provide services by spending money which they are guaranteed to obtain.  There is limited threat of failing nor is there a need to really focus on the bottom line.

 

Eliminating costs from combining 13 councils into one is just tokenism.  The finances don't add up when you view the entire organization.  There are reasons to amalgamate, but cost is not one of them. 

 

True, but free enterprise has the flexibility to shed poor performers. GE can merge with a CT scan company and say now let's get out of the TV/radio business.

 

Victoria can't merge with Esquimalt and say, now we are spinning off our unprofitable Oaklands/Burnside/Gorge area.

 

And Victoria can't use productivity and expertise to establish salaries.  They lose that motivator. 

[VIResident]

A review of the municipal service matrix is mind boggling and unbelievable that an amalgamation couldn't find any savings. The last made-in-BC and very successful amalgamation did save money according the books and a Councillor (served for many years before and after amalgamation).  http://www.amalgamat...ice-matrix.html

I agree amalgamations in other provinces have not saved money, but, there is no other province that has amalgamated a similar set-up that exists in 13 municipalities here and; there is no area in Canada that is rushing to set-up just like the 13 munis we currently have.

[On the Level]

A review of the municipal service matrix is mind boggling and unbelievable that an amalgamation couldn't find any savings. The last made-in-BC and very successful amalgamation did save money according the books and a Councillor (served for many years before and after amalgamation).  http://www.amalgamat...ice-matrix.html

I agree amalgamations in other provinces have not saved money, but, there is no other province that has amalgamated a similar set-up that exists in 13 municipalities here and; there is no area in Canada that is rushing to set-up just like the 13 munis we currently have.

 

That Matrix is exactly why costs will increase.  All of the non-union or contracted services (Lanford for example) will become unionized.  Total overall staff will increase and labour costs will be unified (increased to the highest common denominator).  Good luck keeping the RCMP (and their offset federal contributions) with an amalgamated region.  You are not going to see loss of jobs or chopping of salaries with Amalgamation except for a few senior positions.

[Nparker]

This latest batch of posts makes one wish there was an actual thread dedicated to amalgamation.

[Victoria Watcher]

^ ^ nothing is written in stone about services. conversely we could see all garbage collection privatized (like Langford).

you certainly need buy-in from the unions. that’s why it has to be well-planned. but for example you agree beforehand that there will be 23 building inspectors instead of the current 41 etc. five fire supervisors instead of the current 26.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 03 December 2020 - 05:37 PM.

[johnk2]

again. that’s all amalgamation done wrong.

watch how a company does it rather than a public body. world of difference.

We've watched that many times. Axe the workers, ship the jobs away, pay fat bonuses to the BoD. Have you heard of Bain Capital?

[johnk2]

That Matrix is exactly why costs will increase.  All of the non-union or contracted services (Lanford for example) will become unionized.  Total overall staff will increase and labour costs will be unified (increased to the highest common denominator).  Good luck keeping the RCMP (and their offset federal contributions) with an amalgamated region.  You are not going to see loss of jobs or chopping of salaries with Amalgamation except for a few senior positions.

No one will be fired so no net job loss. Lowest salaries raised to match the highest tier. Taxes don't go down. Rinse and repeat.

[Victoria Watcher]

no income tax thread i will just put this here.

 

https://www.cbc.ca/r...rista-1.5947325

 

 

 

 

 

 

But for Alina Bukatova, it might never be as complicated as 2018, when all the money in her bank accounts was seized after the Canada Revenue Agency thought she owed more than $8 million in taxes. 

 

That's despite an income Bukatova described as about $17,000 from working at a coffee shop.

It was a situation the 17-year-old student in Victoria ignored at first, thinking it was an attempt to defraud her.

 

Bukatova had used a branch of a well-known national tax preparation chain to do her 2018 taxes. She trusted what went through and didn't see anything that appeared incorrect. So when her notice of assessment showed an income of more than $17 million dollars — and the associated $8 million in unpaid taxes — she assumed it was a fake, along with automated phone calls claiming she owed money to the Canada Revenue Agency.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 March 2021 - 11:42 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Property taxes in Saanich are set to increase by 6.67 per cent this year after council voted Monday night to approve a budget and financial measures that accommodate new spending on transportation initiatives and new personnel.

The council was split on the budget, with four councillors — Susan Brice, Judy Brownoff, Nathalie Chambers and Karen Harper — all voting against it and the increased cost to Saanich taxpayers.

https://www.timescol...-object-5328576

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 04 May 2022 - 05:41 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

The City of Victoria will spread the tax burden a little more evenly this year after council voted last week to change tack and take more of the burden off commercial and industrial properties and add a slight increase to residential property tax bills.

Council is expected this week to enact property tax rates for the 2022 fiscal year that will translate into all classes of property facing a 3.89 per cent increase in their property tax bill.

https://www.timescol...-burden-5328575

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 04 May 2022 - 05:45 AM.