Chiarelli also wants to put the $332 million redevelopment of Lansdowne Park on hold until it fully understands the city's current state. , said it would work to delay city council approval for the project. Finances
Mayoral candidate Bob Chiarelli pulls tricks out of his hat since his first go-around time as chairman of the Ottawa City Council, promising to freeze property taxes in 2023.
Municipal public service inflation and contractual salary increases are unknown.
He said a "thorough review" of the city's finances by an outside expert during his first 100 days of the semester would result in tax and rental payments being maintained in January 2019. said it would know how much savings it would need to make. Chiarelli government.
``I think it's important to stabilize the situation. life is getting out of hand," he said. and small and medium enterprises.
He was due to announce the tax freeze proposal on Monday. He said he disagrees with the city, noting that the city's annual spending is about $6 billion, which could reveal "efficiencies."
"You can put off things that aren't absolutely necessary until the economy picks up and things become more normal," he said, Chiarelli.
Chiarelli noted that as the first mayor of the amalgamated city two decades ago, as regional chairman, and successful tax freeze during his three-year term.
The city's long-term debt is on the rise and the local government will have to pay more to repay the debt, he said, Chiarelli. The city's 2021 audited financial statements put long-term debt at his $3 billion at the end of the year.
Chiarelli is also concerned about LRT-related legal disputes.
Chiarelli's tax proposal would not increase his spending in the first year unless it relates to essential health, safety and social services.
Chiarelli said he had not yet decided whether his proposed freeze would apply to water and sewerage charges, which rise at a higher annual rate than property taxes. Stated.
Subsequent tax rates during his term will be raised annually, Mr Chiarelli said.
Regarding the cost of external reviews to find savings, Chiarelli said it was "not trivial", but charges and outcomes are usually "responsible."
Chiarelli also wants to put the upcoming redevelopment of Lansdowne Park on hold. The city said he wants TD Place to build a new arena and north stand for $332 million, and building a skyscraper would help him pay for the cost of borrowing money for a new sports facility. I can do it.
The council plans to give Lansdowne 2.0 final approval in 2023, but Mr Chiarelli said he is fully He said he would push for deferring the decision until he understands. The financial situation of the city.
Under Mayor Jim Watson's administration, annual tax increases range from his 2014 low of 1.9% to his current high of 3%. Watson's approach was to secure early council approval for annual tax increases and to align the budget with revenue projections.
Watson does not want re-election.
Mayoral candidates Katherine McKechnie and Mark Sutcliffe questioned whether they would make election promises about taxes and whether they would freeze taxes in certain years. I was asked if I thought it would be possible to do so.
Mr. McKechnie is "wise", pointing to the financial burden his family feels. While promoting a spending approach, they did not say what their approach to property taxes would be or whether tax pledges would be part of their campaign.
"Ottawa families are feeling the effects of the rising cost of living," McKechnie said in a statement sent by the campaign.
“It's more important than ever to stay smart at City Hall. Budgets are a priority. You can be a responsible city.I have a track record of saving the city money while improving reliable services.As Mayor, I will deliver on my campaign promises by spending smart." 116}
Similar to Chiarelli's plan, Sutcliffe led a "zero-based budgeting" process that included a line-by-line review of spending to challenge how all tax money would be spent. said to do.
The high-value areas will be underfunded, and the low-priority areas, Mr. Sutcliffe said in a statement sent by the campaign: "If you simply stack one budget on top of another, taxpayers will get money." You can't get bang for your buck, and you need fresh eyes and new approaches to make this happen.”
Sutcliffe says Ottawa has an “affordability crisis.” and, like McKennie, spoke of "smart" use of tax dollars.
“This election is about who Ottawa voters will trust to make their lives better and more affordable. Keeping costs as low as possible is a major part of what residents expect from their mayor," Sutcliffe said.
Local elections he October 24th.
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