The Cost of doing business

With the presentation of the city's 10-year parks and recreation plan, another cost for the citizens of St. John's is being proposed.

The anticipated cost of $2 million per year for the parks and recreation plan is in addition to the proposed curbside re-cycling cost of $3 million per year, costs for the cycling trail, overuns for the harbour clean-up project. Then we also have the proposed increase in water taxes for 2010, taking the current amount of $520.00 to between $565.92 - $606.51. This increase depends on what levels of government are contributing to the harbour's cost overruns and the recently announced higher costs for this project.

The obvious question is "How is the city going to pay for these initiatives?"

Are taxpayers facing a significant increase in their taxes or will current services be reduced?

2009 is assessment year, so the city will earn additional income because the real estate market has done very well since the last assessment year. Increase assessment means increased taxes (unless the city reduces the mil. rate).

It is also election year so we will have to challenge our current council on the issue of new programmes and the paying of them.