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Council’s work on crafting the 2018 municipal budget should focus on constraining costs while finding the means to invest responsibly within the community, suggests the Timmins Chamber of Commerce. These objectives were outlined during a council presentation made by Chamber President Jamie Clarke and First Vice-President Nancy Mageau on Sept. 20 as a way of advocating for the needs of the business community during the 2018 municipal budget process. While Council was able to achieve a 2.4 percent tax rate increase in its 2017 budget, the second-lowest increase in 15 years, Clarke explained that the rising costs faced by local businesses makes it imperative for Council to pursue a more judicious use of taxpayer dollars. “This means taking a careful look all opportunities for the potential to reduce costs, maintain or increase revenues, and protect against unnecessary expenditures,” said Clarke. “Moreover, every budget presents opportunities to delay or defer projects whose timing may be less optimal for the current financial climate. Identifying such projects within these municipal budget discussions -- alongside inter-departmental synergies and attrition -- could assist Council in achieving these specific goals.” Striving for greater cost reductions within the city may also provide an opportunity to alleviate some of the fiscal pressures seen on other investment projects throughout the year, said Clarke. Appropriate and responsible investment in a community is crucial for growth, and it is with this point of view that the Chamber continues to advocate for continued spending on economic diversification, business attraction, and other measures that contribute to the development and expansion of our tax base. Additionally, investment in key municipal infrastructure -- roads in particular -- is also crucial. Given the considerable constraints facing Timmins and all municipalities on this file, the Chamber continues to support long-term planning for core infrastructure, and the development of corresponding financial strategies to ensure that deferred work does not grow to unmanageable levels, said Clarke. “We certainly sympathize with the municipality’s struggle to manage the burden of infrastructure spending, given that the province continues to shift that burden regardless of the capacity to bear it. It is for that reason that we have aggressively and successfully advocated for greater funding solutions within our own provincial network.” Every year, the Chamber’s presentation to council is assembled through an extensive process of consultation, with member input being provided through a wide variety of venues. This includes surveys, roundtable discussions, several Chamber committees, and numerous one-on-one interviews conducted by Chamber staff. The finished presentation represents the majority view as expressed by members throughout that consultation process. To view the report, visit https://tinyurl.com/ycslg6yr -30- For more information, please contact: Nick Stewart Manager of Policy, Research and Communications Timmins Chamber of Commerce policy@timminschamber.on.ca | (705) 360-1900
Council’s work on crafting the 2018 municipal budget should focus on constraining costs while finding the means to invest responsibly within the community, suggests the Timmins Chamber of Commerce.
These objectives were outlined during a council presentation made by Chamber President Jamie Clarke and First Vice-President Nancy Mageau on Sept. 20 as a way of advocating for the needs of the business community during the 2018 municipal budget process.
While Council was able to achieve a 2.4 percent tax rate increase in its 2017 budget, the second-lowest increase in 15 years, Clarke explained that the rising costs faced by local businesses makes it imperative for Council to pursue a more judicious use of taxpayer dollars.
“This means taking a careful look all opportunities for the potential to reduce costs, maintain or increase revenues, and protect against unnecessary expenditures,” said Clarke.
“Moreover, every budget presents opportunities to delay or defer projects whose timing may be less optimal for the current financial climate. Identifying such projects within these municipal budget discussions -- alongside inter-departmental synergies and attrition -- could assist Council in achieving these specific goals.”
Striving for greater cost reductions within the city may also provide an opportunity to alleviate some of the fiscal pressures seen on other investment projects throughout the year, said Clarke. Appropriate and responsible investment in a community is crucial for growth, and it is with this point of view that the Chamber continues to advocate for continued spending on economic diversification, business attraction, and other measures that contribute to the development and expansion of our tax base.
Additionally, investment in key municipal infrastructure -- roads in particular -- is also crucial. Given the considerable constraints facing Timmins and all municipalities on this file, the Chamber continues to support long-term planning for core infrastructure, and the development of corresponding financial strategies to ensure that deferred work does not grow to unmanageable levels, said Clarke.
“We certainly sympathize with the municipality’s struggle to manage the burden of infrastructure spending, given that the province continues to shift that burden regardless of the capacity to bear it. It is for that reason that we have aggressively and successfully advocated for greater funding solutions within our own provincial network.”
Every year, the Chamber’s presentation to council is assembled through an extensive process of consultation, with member input being provided through a wide variety of venues. This includes surveys, roundtable discussions, several Chamber committees, and numerous one-on-one interviews conducted by Chamber staff. The finished presentation represents the majority view as expressed by members throughout that consultation process.
To view the report, visit https://tinyurl.com/ycslg6yr
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Nick Stewart Manager of Policy, Research and Communications Timmins Chamber of Commerce policy@timminschamber.on.ca | (705) 360-1900