1156 replies to this topic

[Ismo07]

What was the percentage increase for 2023. We can take that, multiply by 52%. That’s the labour portion.

 

Likely other adjustments to staffing...  It's not straight across the board..  There is work to be done on this.

[dasmo]

Who here believes that our mayors can keep the global temperature from changing? 

Edited by dasmo, 17 January 2023 - 11:00 AM.

[Nparker]

Who here believes that our mayors can keep the global temperature from changing? 

Not only do I not believe this*, I question whether global temperatures are actually changing as a result of human activity. Even if they are, does this constitute any sort of emergency?

*Our elected officials seem unable to maintain roads and other basic infrastructure. How can they possibly expect me to believe they have the power to effect the climate of an entire planet?

[JimV]

The impact of a 1.5 degree warming would certainly be catastrophic in Canada.  We would need thousands of new windmills to meet the demands for air conditioning.

[FogPub]

Not only do I not believe this*, I question whether global temperatures are actually changing as a result of human activity. Even if they are, does this constitute any sort of emergency?

*Our elected officials seem unable to maintain roads and other basic infrastructure. How can they possibly expect me to believe they have the power to effect the climate of an entire planet?

Global temperatures are changing - dramatically, as such things go - over the last five decades as a result of something, and as all the other variables would indicate a much lesser net change if any over that period, human activity is the only real variable left to point to as the cause.

 

As for whether it's an emergency, that depends on the point at which you define something as an emergency.  This isn't a sudden thing, it's more of a slowly-developing problem and thus easier to ignore.  Sea level won't rise tens of feet all at once, but even a few inches a year of rise will flood a lot of homes by the end of the century.

 

And no, a local mayor or council can't singlehandedly stop all this...but there's still some simple small-scale incremental things they can do (that so far aren't being done) such as improving transportation efficiency (all modes), banning outdoor heat lamps, requiring heated (or cooled) areas be properly insulated, and so forth.

Edited by FogPub, 18 January 2023 - 11:46 PM.

[Nparker]

I lost my faith in the so-called "climate crisis" when it became just another dogmatic religion; unquestionable and full of angry, power-hungry zealots.

I reiterate that a succession of mostly incompetent, civic politicians that can't even fix potholes, offer little hope of saving humanity from some alleged impending apocalypse.

[Victoria Watcher]

Council (and staff) need reality checks

 

What is going on at the City of Victoria?

 

That’s the question most Victoria taxpayers are asking after learning of a proposed 8.99 per cent property tax increase in 2023.

 

Despite economic factors including inflation, labour shortages and supply-chain-disruption challenges, Kelowna is looking at a 4.01 per cent increase. That includes a special one per cent levy for public safety.

 

Despite covering funding additions of one per cent for infrastructure renewal, two per cent for policing services, and two per cent for the remainder of municipal services, Vancouver is mulling a five per cent hike.

 

Despite RCMP costs expected to go up seven per cent this year, Richmond property owners could be paying 5.88 per cent more in taxes in 2023.

 

Often the outlier, the City of Victoria wants 8.99 per cent more in property taxes to run the municipality. That’s far above inflation and despite healthy development growth and increased assessment, significant reserves and a substantial annual surplus in 2021.

 

Then if you are unfortunate enough to operate a business, your final property tax bill will be 3.646 times as much as a residential property per $1,000 worth of assessment. It’s all paid for by customers.

 

Then, which business or homeowner can afford to voluntarily contribute to a reconciliation donation fund, beyond what’s already provided by taxpayers in an annual city grant?

 

Council (and staff) need to also be asked about priorities, especially when you consider ongoing substandard critical infrastructure such as roads, swimming pools, park washrooms and other public facilities.

 

In these extraordinary inflationary and possibly recessionary times, what instructions were provided to staff in preparing this proposed budget? Business as usual is surely not an option.

 

So, coddy wobbles, 8.99 per cent.

 

Stan Bartlett, vice-chair

Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria

 

 

https://www.timescol...arnings-6402285

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 19 January 2023 - 05:43 AM.

[Awaiting Juno]

Good governance? Could we get some measures to improve governance please? Anyone.

[spanky123]

So, coddy wobbles, 8.99 per cent.

 

If you read the report, 8.99% is the starting point. If you add in additional requests we are over 10%.

 

In the past 5 years we had a building and development boom downtown and basically have nothing to show for it in the terms of financial reserves. In fact we went backwards and now have to pay far more than other municipalities and we still have a massive infrastructure deficit and huge spending plans. Even though Langford was considered developer friendly, they still managed to extract enough in the way of benefits and amenities that during their boom taxes increased below inflation as one would expect.

 

Further, the report suggests that 8.99% is not a one off. With this Mayor and council these rates of increase could become common as they continue to spend wildly despite a looming recession and slowing development activity.

Edited by spanky123, 21 January 2023 - 10:49 AM.

[Mike K.]

Correct. Thousands of new housing units and more commercial spaces were built, perhaps even record volumes over a six-seven year period, and taxation has risen 50% since 2013.

It was just a hair above $200 million in 2013. It is now proposed at just a hair under $300 million, $152 million of which is salaries.

[Victoria Watcher]

Property owners in the City of Victoria could face a tax increase of as much as nine per cent this year if an early draft financial plan is enacted as is.

Meeting the city’s $298.2-million operating budget would require an 8.99 per cent tax increase, which would translate into a $251 increase in property taxes for an average household and a $646 increase for a typical business in the city just to maintain the current level of service.

https://www.timescol...ncrease-6414606

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 22 January 2023 - 05:50 AM.

[dasmo]

Look at their financial plan. The bulk of it is social engineering not really “services”. Cut that and we could have more services with less tax…
https://www.victoria...lan DIGITAL.pdf

[Victoria Watcher]

Cost increases are being driven by inflation, supply-chain issues, increased labour costs and climate impacts, city staff say.

 

 

What "climate impacts" are raising costs?

[Nparker]

As long as you throw "climate crisis" into the narrative, the faithful will never question the costs. It has proven to be a very effective way for politicians and high level bureaucrats to get away with being unaccountable.

[dasmo]

It costs money to have those spritz stations all summer long! Banner, tent, two spray bottles, water, pamphlets on climate change and two employees making $80k/year to sit and chat with each other all day.

[Victoria Watcher]

It costs money to have those spritz stations all summer long! Banner, tent, two spray bottles, water, pamphlets on climate change and two employees making $80k/year to sit and chat with each other all day.

 

Is some of that offset by reduced heating fuel usage in City buildings most of the year?

[Awaiting Juno]

MMHI passed the same day Lisa Helps is appointed housing advisor. If this isn't a giant single finger salute to everyone harmed over the past eight years, I don't know what would be. 

 

This is not good for our city - and I'm disappointed in the process to get here. The MNP governance report really needed to be the first order of business, and now we see why. The foundation of this policy is not solid because of how we got here. The public deserved better - too many people voted believing MMHI was dead because the province stepped in permitting 3 units on the same footprint with the same height. 

 

And all of this before the financial disclosures have been released.

[Nparker]

I'd be VERY surprised if this council ever addresses the the MNP governance report. Why would they? 

[Stephen James]

I'd be VERY surprised if this council ever addresses the the MNP governance report. Why would they? 

 

Populism and governance?  That ain't happenin.

 

If the future wasn't clear after talking to Caradonna and Thompson during the election, it was when our new mayor chose a secret meeting for one of her first. Her sweet smile has always hidden a moral vaccum

[Mike K.]

Dasmo, this one’s for you.