Tag Archives: City Finances

Property-tax freeze expected in next month city’s budget unveiling

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Mayor Sam Katz and city council finance chairman Scott Fielding plan to unveil the city’s operating budget in mid-February, the mayor’s office says.

Katz and Fielding are expected to unveil an operating budget that includes the city’s 13th straight property-tax freeze. Raising taxes during an election year would be unlikely, despite the fact inflationary increases in salaries and fluctuating fuel costs continue place pressure on city finances.

The city expects to post a $5.2-million surplus on its 2009 operating budget of $785.3 million. The 2010 budget is expected to be higher.

Before the budget is tabled, the city is inviting the public to take part in round-table discussions next week at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

Sessions are planned for Wednesday, Jan. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. You may pre-register at budget@winnipeg.ca or 986-4242.

Walk-ins are also welcome, the city says.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/breakingnews/Property-tax-freeze-expected-in-citys-budget-82396027.html

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Glen Murray responds

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Re: Budget Chief Eyes City Sales Tax, Nov. 5.

This article incorrectly states that I support the sales tax plan put forward by Toronto’s budget chief, Shelley Carroll, and it misrepresents my views on municipal taxation.

I was mayor of Winnipeg when we proposed a 1% sales tax as replacement revenue for a 50% cut in property taxes as part of a larger plan developed to modernize city finances and reduce the overall tax burden. That plan was developed over two years in partnership with business, labour and community organizations.

There is no plan or partnership in Toronto to reform city government; instead city hall seems to believe that every problem can be fixed by adding or increasing a tax.

When I proposed a sales tax as part of a new tax system, Winnipeg had already made very tough decisions including cutting the city debt in half, reducing property taxes, shrinking the city government and reducing the size of the bureaucracy. The opposite has been happening in Toronto.

I believe in building the tax base, not the tax burden.

Glen Murray, CEO, Canadian Urban Institute, Toronto.

http://www.financialpost.com/scripts/story.html?id=2191889

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Union boss out to lunch

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Union boss Mike Davidson from CUPE Local 500 says Winnipeg taxpayers should not blame any proposed future property tax increase on city workers’ pension shortfall.

In a letter to the editor in the Sun Monday, Davidson says Winnipeg has required a property tax increase for some time because of what he says are revenue shortfalls.

“The reality is that Winnipeg’s budget needs a modest tax increase to address a longstanding revenue shortfall,” writes Davidson. Continue reading →

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