It appears we have a crisis of confidence in regards to the municipal city council. This is plainly seen by the rising opposition to the $40 million spending plan from council. Currently facing a rising alternative approval process opposition, some are stating it's because of a specific item that is unneeded while some just want some love to be given to the Hart. Everyone is right, everyone is wrong. The problem is trust and will the items be completed on budget.
If the pool shows us anything, the answer is no. Initially, it was approved by referendum for $35 million in debt. It was budgeted for $42 million, a 20 per cent increase in cost.
This translates to the $40 million Alternative Approval Process in debt and a possible budget of $40 million plus 20 per cent equals $48 million in cost and $8 million in non-debt.
Meanwhile, the city manager now has the option under the sustainable finance guidelines of being up to $1 million over budget, so with 11 projects, that's $11 million in non-debt costs, so the total possible cost goes from $48 million to $59 million.
Then add the Willowcale Bridge, originally budgeted at $4.3 million and currently being proposed to cost a total of $11.1 million or 258 per cent overbudget.
For the Alternative Approval Process, this would amount to $59 million times 258 per cent to equal $152M dollars, with $133 million in debt.
I find that amount to be intimidating, do you? Does anyone else think this might happen?
Keeping an eye on the future, we can take a look at 2023. The city's finance manager has highlighted a four per cent increase in property taxes from the pool to start in this year. When combined with the three per cent standard rate increase, this means a total of seven per ecent already on the books. With this new $40M in spending, it will be another per cent cost is comparable to the pool project. This will result in an 11 per cent increase, in 2023, the year after the next civic election.
Are we seeing politicians playing politics and sabotaging the next group to be elected in?
Personally, just as I campaigned this past election that infrastructure was a significant expense for the future, we need to fund it. It is a different world now. Building a swimming pool across the street from our other swimming pool seems like a luxury we can no longer afford. I wish I had the confidence that our city council would reconsider, before it is too late.
Chris Wood
Prince George
