A time for change
Published December 26, 2008
I recently met with a group of residents and asked them what municipality they would like to belong to. The proximity of this group to a neighboring municipality certainly could have justified a desire on their part to receive their services from another jurisdiction and as their elected representative I indicated that I would support their decision whatever it may have been. Their decision was unanimous to stay with Strathcona.
At a time when many municipalities are finding it difficult to attract staff to balance their budgets and in some cases are considering dissolution, we must take pride in the fact that Strathcona County is a well run corporation. Though no one likes to see a tax increase, and that certainly includes this Councillor, we still want to maintain existing services and in some cases enhance services such as snow removal and transit. No one who lives on a cold mix surfaced road wants to see it revert to gravel. Even with over 55 per cent of our taxes coming from non-residential sources it may be time to look at finding alternative opportunities.
Of course municipalities are limited in how they can obtain funding through property taxes. So perhaps the provincial and federal governments may be willing to take a serious look at initiating some changes that would allow municipalities to issue infrastructure bonds and provide incentives through tax changes for investors. Well run municipalities could attract investors, often from its own residents, and residents while receiving a return for their investments can support infrastructure development in their community. It's not a new idea, it happens in many states and it would require some legislative changes in Canada to make it a viable option for municipalities and investors alike but it certainly could be done and in the case of Strathcona County it would go a long way in assisting us to meet our potential infrastructure gap of $224 million over the next 4-5 years.
Construction of roads, overpasses and recreation facilities could be accommodated outside our current taxation and grant system. It is an avenue that Strathcona County will be investigating in the upcoming year.
We have a fantastic community with great people and I want to take this opportunity to thank the many resident and staff of Strathcona County who went the extra mile to keep our community halls open, participated in special events such as Ardrossan's 100th birthday, Christmas in the Heartland and the recent CP Christmas Train fundraiser for the Strathcona Food Bank. You make the specialized municipality of Strathcona very special. Merry Christmas to all and a healthy, happy and prosperous 2009.
Jacquie Fenske
Councillor, Ward 5
780-464-8147
fenske@strathcona.ab.ca
Last updated: Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Page ID: 2013