236 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.