1722 replies to this topic

[Jackerbie]

Presumably, this does not include replacing the Crystal Pool.

 

2018 budget would only include expenses in 2018. Planning for the new pool is included (possibly as the $2.6mil for "facilitites" in the capital works section), but construction won't be included until the replacement is approved

[spanky123]

I find it insane that they are calling for a 4% increase when you consider the growth of all of the sources of revenue in recent years:

• higher density = more tax per sq. m. collected
• building permit fees
• development cost charges
• rezonings
• variances
• water and sewer connection charges
• parking fines
• Etc. etc.

With the crazy growth going on in the City proper in the last few years the amount of revenue from all of these sources must have grown substantially. The City should be in the black right now and this increase is a glaring evidence of fiscal mismanagement. I think that the City would be wise to put any major projects on the back burner until some financial literacy prevails.

 

Victoria has used the extra funds to hire extra staff. Typical empire building.

[Rob Randall]

New York State projected a $4.4 bil deficit.

 

Oops, I missed that. Apparently NYC runs a surplus, although it seems the actual numbers vary depending on complicated funding arrangements between the city and the state for things like subway work.

[Stephen James]

Yup, its thrown about these days like a badge ....however you forget the Progressive Conservative Party aka the PC's..... 

There's a rumour they've dropped the "progressive" part of the name.

[Bob Fugger]

There's a rumour they've dropped the "progressive" part of the name.

So clearly a tongue in cheek comment; however, the meaning of the word progressive has changed over the years. The so-called “progressives” of today look very little like the rural agrarian Progressivism movement of the 1920s, who merged with the Conservative Party of Canada in 1942. Hence resulting in what we would see today as the paradoxically named (and now defunct) “Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.”

Edited by Bob Fugger, 27 May 2018 - 12:18 PM.

[rjag]

So clearly a tongue in cheek comment; however, the meaning of the word progressive has changed over the years. The so-called “progressives” of today look very little like the rural agrarian Progressivism movement of the 1920s, who merged with the Conservative Party of Canada in 1942. Hence resulting in what we would see today as the paradoxically named (and now defunct) “Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.”

 

And the same can be said for todays NDP which is nothing like the CCF of Tommy Douglas day. Heck Tommy Douglas would be vilified by the SJW's running the Orange Machine

[AndrewReeve]

Since when is subsidizing housing a municipal issue?  I think the city should be filling in potholes, not subsidizing housing. 

 

The Provincial Government seems to be pushing this shift as part of their "what can we download to municipalities" approach as of late.

 

On top of the Employer Health Tax hitting municipalities hard next year (Helps says 2% of the tax increase is to cover that) they also decided that the Hotel Tax funds which used to go towards destination marketing/Tourism Victoria can now be used by municipalities to build affordable housing. In Victoria that amounts to about $4 million.

[nagel]

The Provincial Government seems to be pushing this shift as part of their "what can we download to municipalities" approach as of late.

 

On top of the Employer Health Tax hitting municipalities hard next year (Helps says 2% of the tax increase is to cover that) they also decided that the Hotel Tax funds which used to go towards destination marketing/Tourism Victoria can now be used by municipalities to build affordable housing. In Victoria that amounts to about $4 million.

While I agree with your general comment re downloading of costs, the latter is not really an example of it because it's still up to the muni to decide what they're going to spend the municipal hotel tax on.  It's just now they have another option.

[DavidL]

The Provincial Government seems to be pushing this shift as part of their "what can we download to municipalities" approach as of late.

 

On top of the Employer Health Tax hitting municipalities hard next year (Helps says 2% of the tax increase is to cover that) they also decided that the Hotel Tax funds which used to go towards destination marketing/Tourism Victoria can now be used by municipalities to build affordable housing. In Victoria that amounts to about $4 million.

 

$5.3 million for 2018 projected.  A portion of that should be used for affordable housing as Tourism Victoria cried and cried about the lack of affordable housing available to their industry staff because of short term rentals - not because they pay them crap wages and wanted to kill the the competition the STRs were creating with hotels.......a terrific opportunity to walk the walk, which I'm sure they won't.  Let's not forget that Tourism Victoria received a 50% increase in hotel tax revenue in January 2017 when the rate went from 2% to 3% with city council's blessing.

[Bob Fugger]

$5.3 million for 2018 projected.  A portion of that should be used for affordable housing as Tourism Victoria cried and cried about the lack of affordable housing available to their industry staff because of short term rentals - not because they pay them crap wages and wanted to kill the the competition the STRs were creating with hotels.......a terrific opportunity to walk the walk, which I'm sure they won't.  Let's not forget that Tourism Victoria received a 50% increase in hotel tax revenue in January 2017 when the rate went from 2% to 3% with city council's blessing.

YES!!!  I'm glad that I'm not the only one who noticed their oily hypocrisy when the STVR bylaw was up at Public Hearing.  Passionately bemoaning at the mic how their hotel staff can't even afford to live in the City because it's soooo expensive because of the lack of supply exacerbated by STVR.  They should now be thrilled that part of that revenue will be going to affordable housing! Suckers!

 

EDIT:  Oops, I understand now that Mayor Moonbeam won't be redirecting any of this money to affordable housing.  And why would she, when she just saddled taxpayers with the bill for affordable housing?

 

http://www.timescolo...says-1.23182974

Edited by Bob Fugger, 29 May 2018 - 12:17 PM.

[Stephen James]

Presumably, this does not include replacing the Crystal Pool.

Important point - it does not.

 

...or any commitment the city might make on our behalf to spend twice as much money to preserve Vic High than the cost to replace it with a bigger, safer building.  Madoff should be ashamed of herself for this - her obsession with her "hobby" is going to cost us tens of millions of dollars for a pretty (but acknowledged, not important) building that a fraction of our community cares about.

 

What's mind-blowing about it is this...

Ask the city what our infrastructure deficit is, in $, and they can't tell us - seriously - they're just beginning to estimate it.  If Oak Bay's estimate is any guide, we've only begun to see the tax increases.  But the school is a priority?!

[spanky123]

YES!!!  I'm glad that I'm not the only one who noticed their oily hypocrisy when the STVR bylaw was up at Public Hearing.  Passionately bemoaning at the mic how their hotel staff can't even afford to live in the City because it's soooo expensive because of the lack of supply exacerbated by STVR.  They should now be thrilled that part of that revenue will be going to affordable housing! Suckers!

 

EDIT:  Oops, I understand now that Mayor Moonbeam won't be redirecting any of this money to affordable housing.  And why would she, when she just saddled taxpayers with the bill for affordable housing?

 

http://www.timescolo...says-1.23182974

 

Any grasp that the Mayor thinks she has left on power comes from the development and tourism communities who have kept quiet on contentious issues like bike lanes. No way she is going to upset them now by trying to tap into tourist funds.

[Stephen James]

YES!!!  I'm glad that I'm not the only one who noticed their oily hypocrisy when the STVR bylaw was up at Public Hearing.  Passionately bemoaning at the mic how their hotel staff can't even afford to live in the City because it's soooo expensive because of the lack of supply exacerbated by STVR.  They should now be thrilled that part of that revenue will be going to affordable housing! Suckers!

 

EDIT:  Oops, I understand now that Mayor Moonbeam won't be redirecting any of this money to affordable housing.  And why would she, when she just saddled taxpayers with the bill for affordable housing?

 

http://www.timescolo...says-1.23182974

STR's are another bs distraction and, yes, it serves the hotel industry in Vic nicely to get us all to focus here.  The hotel industry in Vic doesn't do itself any favours outside of lobbying, pretty poor pr... as example, the group has been asked to contribute to Symphony Splash and their reason for not doing so is they claim they don't benefit.  (No-one walking around downtown that day can take this very seriously.)  Has anyone here seen any math to show exactly how many STRs are a potential long-term rental unit?  And for what demographic?  

We don't seem to expect much in the way of evidence here....

 

But, its hard for our city to insist on data (from Tourism Victoria, for example) to support an argument from a lobbying group when the city doesn't exercise evidence-based decision making for itself.

[Nparker]

I am going to sleep better at night knowing that my Council has found a way to isolate the CoV's climate from the rest of the world.

Victoria council has adopted an action plan that aims to reduce greenhouse gases in the municipality by 80 per cent below 2007 levels by 2050, while transitioning to 100 per cent renewable energy...

https://www.vicnews....eadership-plan/

 

[Bob Fugger]

I am going to sleep better at night knowing that my Council has found a way to isolate the CoV's climate from the rest of the world.

 

Don't pat them too hard on the back.  Our climate goals will be shattered by the increase in emissions of smug, which has been known to cause cities like San Francisco to disappear up its own a$$hole.

[spanky123]

I am going to sleep better at night knowing that my Council has found a way to isolate the CoV's climate from the rest of the world.

 

By 2041, 80% of all trips downtown will be by transit, bicycle or walking. By 2030, 30% of all vehicles will be electric, 100% of all passenger vehicles by 2050.

 

I will start holding my breathe!

[Mattjvd]

By 2041, 80% of all trips downtown will be by transit, bicycle or walking. By 2030, 30% of all vehicles will be electric, 100% of all passenger vehicles by 2050.

 

I will start holding my breathe!

I could see that for leisure trips and commuters. Commercial traffic, not a chance.

[Mike K.]

Lol. Remember when peak oil was predicted by 1995? Then by 2020? Now it's what, 2030?

[Nparker]

...I will start holding my breath!

In order to reduce CO₂ emissions? 

[lanforod]

Only way to get 100% of vehicles to electric would be to outlaw ICE cars. There will always be collectors at the very least.