11779 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

There is a good discussion on this at https://twitter.com/...3715343360?s=21

At least one person who made the comments the mayor considered one of the eight that forced her to close her account, says he stands by his initial feedback. Others also understand that it’s impossible to not bridge overarching issues -today- during a discussion of how great Victoria could become over the next two decades. It’s just not possible to put aside concerns that are gnawing at you from multiple angles while looking to the future and trusting better times are to come in the literal span of a generation.

[Mike K.]

Helps said on Al Farraby's show this morning upwards of $17.5 million has to be cut from the 2020 budget. On the potential chopping block is a skate/bike park at Topaz Park, and Topaz Park's new artificial turf.

 

Helps said the main sources of the revenue drop are from reduced parking revenues ($20 million in annual revenues from parking), reduced lease incomes from commercial tenants in City-owned buildings, and reduced revenues from a drop in conference centre uptake.

 

Meanwhile, what wasn't mentioned, was the fixed costs of maintaining City-owned buildings haven't changed. Now if we're $17.5M in the red four months into COVID, my God. What's to happen next year?

[Mike K.]

And that's in addition to approximately $22 million already cut from capital projects since April.

 

$22 + $17.5 = $39.5M.

 

That's about 20% of the City's budget. And we're only eight months in to the year.

[Nparker]

Glad the CoV still has money for those vitally important "free" youth bus passes.

[Victoria Watcher]

is the conference centre wildly profitable?  in most cities they are money losers.  of course when bookings tanked we likely did not lay anyone off there.  so that's why it's so in the red.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 06 August 2020 - 08:37 AM.

[rmpeers]

There is a good discussion on this at https://twitter.com/...3715343360?s=21

At least one person who made the comments the mayor considered one of the eight that forced her to close her account, says he stands by his initial feedback. Others also understand that it’s impossible to not bridge overarching issues -today- during a discussion of how great Victoria could become over the next two decades. It’s just not possible to put aside concerns that are gnawing at you from multiple angles while looking to the future and trusting better times are to come in the literal span of a generation.

Yes. The context was that BHP was a huge local concern, highlighted by a petition with 10s of thousands of signatures, concerns about a drastic increase in crime, etc.etc.

The mayor's only real comments were to say everything is fine in the park, don't bother writing us or signing petitions, don't take photos in the park, Dr. Henry told us we had to etc.

She basically refused to address the concerns or take action and essentially displayed contempt for the electorate.

And then, inevitably, people were not happy to see her tweeting about things that (although legit possibly in and of themselves) came across as attempts to change the channel, while ignoring the important issues of the day.

Not sure to what extent she planned this in advance, but the whole "leaving Twitter" drama was obviously designed to win sympathy from the dwindling number of people who actual believe in what she is doing.

I think at this point, those who defend her do so either because they have a personal financial stake, or the just aren't really paying attention.

[mbjj]

And here we were thinking maybe some of the drainage problems on Cook St. might be fixed. Guess we'll just have to beg them for more sandbags this autumn. Might have to stick them in the new Richardson bike lane.

[rjag]

Isnt the Hotel room tax part of the CoV budget?

 

https://www.tourismv... of 1% as well.

 

For hotel rooms, a PST of 8%, GST of 5% and Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) of 3% will be assessed. Depending on the hotel, you may be assessed an additional Destination Marketing Fee (DMF) of 1% as well.

 

 

 

Edited by rjag, 06 August 2020 - 02:37 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

 

Isnt the Hotel room tax part of the CoV budget?

 

https://www.tourismv... of 1% as well.

 

 

 

 

i believe it goes straight from the province to tourism victoria maybe via city of victoria but they let it flow through 100%.

[aastra]

 

What's to happen next year?

 

Just putting this out there... crazy idea, I know... but maybe they could incentivize and fast-track new development to help address the shortfall?

 

Why is it that extreme measures are only politically palatable when the measures are invasive and injurious? Remember that whole development thing that you've been complaining about for years? That you've been battling and resisting and obstructing? Maybe try watering it for a while rather than fighting it, and thus reap the benefits?

 

Seriously, how about temporary relaxation of height restrictions in Harris Green and downtown/Rock Bay (excluding old town), effective immediately but for a limited time only?

 

How about revisiting and retroactively approving the most recent Northern Junk proposal?

 

The situation is serious, but it's not so serious that we would want to actually do anything about it.

[aastra]

 

Remember that whole development thing that you've been complaining about for years? That you've been battling and resisting and obstructing?

 

Note that the "you" here is the collective "you" re: the CoV administration, city council, and anti-development stinkers at large. I'm not pointing the finger at Lisa Helps specifically. I still feel like she's been pretty even-handed re: new development.

 

I forgot the recent Fort Street proposal. How about revisiting that one as well?

[Victoria Watcher]

how about for one season next year suspend the Air BnB restrictions and tax?  to attract more tourists when this is over.

[spanky123]

And that's in addition to approximately $22 million already cut from capital projects since April.

 

$22 + $17.5 = $39.5M.

 

That's about 20% of the City's budget. And we're only eight months in to the year.

 

The City deferred $22M in expenses in April as they did not know the impact of covid. I am sure at the time they felt that $22M was high and they could come in way less than that and look like prudent managers. The number yesterday was $17.5M and based on an actual assessment of revenues to date. It is not in addition to the $22M.

 

Having said that, today at the COTW meeting staff dropped two bombshells that apparently they didn't know yesterday when the public documents could have been updated. Good thing the CoV webcasts its meetings Mike :-)

 

The first bombshell is that the bi-election is going to cost up to $250K more than budgeted! The second is that property assessment appeals are likely to reduce taxes by $2M. The total shortfall then is back to nearly $20M.

 

https://pub-victoria...Tab=attachments

 

Good stuff starts at 2:11:00

[Mike K.]

I see, I guess the way the mayor had described it was confusing.

 

She said they would cut between $13.5M and $17.5M, if memory serves correct. How do you get from $22M to $13.5M?

[Victoria Watcher]

In a more hotly contested motion, council decided to proceed with the hiring of two senior staff for a new office that will work to build a more equitable, diverse and inclusive city.

 

The city had planned to hire five people for the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion this year, but put those plans on hold when the pandemic hit.

 

Coun. Ben Isitt said hiring two people instead of five represented a “compromise between doing nothing and doing something versus doing the whole approach.”

 

Loveday described it as a “reasonable” way forward in light of the city’s financial situation.

 

“I don’t think we can afford to move forward with all five right now,” he said. “I think we simply do not have the money.”

 

But he said it’s important the city get started establishing the office. “We need to make our community more equitable and inclusive and these roles will help get there,” he said.

 

 

https://www.timescol...ring-1.24182584

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 07 August 2020 - 05:40 AM.

[spanky123]

Not sure to what extent she planned this in advance, but the whole "leaving Twitter" drama was obviously designed to win sympathy from the dwindling number of people who actual believe in what she is doing.

 

The Mayor threatened to quit Twitter last year. She was just waiting for an excuse. https://vancouverisl...tacks-1.4585319

 

My belief is that she feels she is not accountable to anyone and that she has all of the answers. Will be interesting to see if she even bothers with a Friday presser anymore.

[spanky123]

I see, I guess the way the mayor had described it was confusing.

 

She said they would cut between $13.5M and $17.5M, if memory serves correct. How do you get from $22M to $13.5M?

 

It is confusing because the Mayor is trying to spin the content to make herself look good. There was never a forecast previously. The City anticipated a drop of $1.2M in parking revenue so while they waited for a more comprehensive accounting they deferred $22M in expenses. They now have a better understanding of where they are and that the deficit will be up to $20M (including the higher bi-election cost and loss in tax revenue). 

 

The Mayor this morning is again trying to spin this to suit her needs, how great everything is and how well our reserves are "protected". BS. Taking from reserves and capital projects to cover operating expenses (because the City refuses to adjust its expenses to meet declining revenues) just kicks the can down the road. Water pipes still need to be replaced, roads still need to be repaired, buildings still need to be maintained, etc. Not doing the work this year doesn't mean that all those problems resolve themselves. In addition, we are still keeping the employees who would have been overseeing the work we are not doing!

 

This is just a slap in the face to every business owner. The Mayor and her minions fiddle while Rome burns making sure that their friends and supporters collect a fat paycheque and can continue to hire their buddies while businesses struggle to survive and face massive tax hikes to pay for the deficit when it comes due.

 

As an aside the budget and staff comments don't align with Ismo's comments here about parking returning to 75% of pre-covid levels. If that is the case and fees have been re-instated then why is forecasted revenue only marginally better than in April? 

[Nparker]

... “We need to make our community more equitable and inclusive and these roles will help get there,” he said...

Total and complete BS and an outrageous waste of taxpayer money that only a SJW could rationalize. I cannot wait to move out of the CoV.

[spanky123]

Total and complete BS and an outrageous waste of taxpayer money that only a SJW could rationalize. I cannot wait to move out of the CoV.

 

Hey there are a lot of precariously employed adjunct UVIC poly sci and philosophy profs out there and the CERB is ending soon. Have to help a (wo)man out, especially if they worked on or helped fund your campaign.

Edited by spanky123, 07 August 2020 - 07:11 AM.

[rjag]

 (wo)mxn 

 

fixed it for you