Resident suggests formal policy distinguishing a “want” versus need”

Based on past financial decisions made by council, our taxes, water and sewage rates continues to escalate well beyond what is considered normal for municipalities of our size in the County of Essex. Sooner than later, it will become more difficult to promote our town to new and existing industries and business as an affordable place to locate to. 

Currently, our town’s total taxable assessment base is the second lowest of all municipalities in the County of Essex and our taxation rate is one of the highest. To deal with this issue we need to either increase our total taxable assessment base or simply reduce municipal spending.

Some of our residents have expressed concerns in past letters to the editor, Mr. Hudson and Mr. Menna separately reported on issues regarding the high cost of subsidizing Windsor transit to service Amherstburg. Is this service really needed by a municipality of our size and low assessment base? There was also the expenditure of over $700,000 to demolish 10,500 sq. ft of the hub building for the purpose of creating 18 parking spots. Was this also a service really needed by our community. 

Perhaps introducing a formal policy that would distinguish what a real “want or need is” before undergoing a budget review process should be paramount prior to approving any project or service. This policy should also apply to increases of reserve accounts or creating a new reserve account for a future project.  

Purchasing a former school to serve as a community hub by a previous council was not a need when available unused municipal space existed. Council now is dealing with long-term maintenance and rental of space to recoup cost and ultimately shifts council’s role of governance to that of a landlord. There is also an appearance of the use of public funds competing against the private rental market rather than leaving this function to professional realtors. 

The strategy of determining what a need or want in a municipal budget would be helpful to both council and staff when determine the size and scope of a municipal service, it could also safeguard council against the purchasing of an expensive Rolls Royce when a Buick would be sufficient to do the job, metaphorically speaking.

—Dan DiGiovanni

Amherstburg

Resident suggests formal policy distinguishing a “want” versus need”