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City Council just completed a three-day budget review for 2017. There were some very good presentations given by Public Safety, Information Technology and many other departments. These departments with managers and staff in tow carrying armloads of documents, presented a well-prepared self analysis of their progress and their plans for the future on a number of programs including how Calgarians dispose of their household waste.

I've always loved the happy book "Pollyanna." It has even given rise to the "Pollyanna Principle" that suggests that people tend to remember pleasant items more accurately than unpleasant things. I was having a Pollyanna moment the other day at Council as I started reading through the action plan "Mid-Cycle Adjustments: The City's Response to the Change in the Local Economy” booklet. The headlines caused flashbacks in my brain: "A well run city” "A prosperous city" "A city of inspiring neighbourhoods“ "A city that moves!” I was thinking, "Wow! Things are great, I'm optimistic! Times are wonderful!" Then reality hit, and I realized, "Wait a minute, this isn't 2013. It's 2016!" 

November 21, 2016, was the day that started the deliberations of Calgary's budget for 2017, which is actually year three of a four-year plan. It is an annual time allocation that gives Council the opportunity to review and revise the operating and capital budget plan for the coming year. To grasp the enormity of what it takes to keep the "big machine" and its needs addressed, the annual Capital Budget for 2014 - 2018 is set at $5.8 billion. According to the City of Calgary website, 48 percent of this spending is derived from taxes.  

It seems as though we are having a geographical shift in the relocation of businesses from the downtown core of Calgary to the suburbs. The oil and gas industry is slashing operating costs, vacating office space and shedding once highly valued yet now unaffordable employees. One would think engineers and other skilled professionals are flocking to the "burbs," but are they really? 

Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments pertaining to the creation of the City Charters through the Municipal Government Act. I am the Executive Director of Common Sense Calgary, an organization dedicated to providing a balanced dialogue about issues important to the citizens of Calgary. 

Common Sense Calgary works in the best interests of Calgarians to promote fiscal and ethical responsibility at City Hall, and currently are advocating for no new proposed taxation powers in the City Charters, at least not without citywide referenda. In cooperation with several other organizations, we have been generating media and public awareness related to the proposed City Charters through a coalition titled, "See Charter, Think Tax."

Published on: June 22, 2016 | Last Updated: June 22, 2016 3:00 AM MDT
http://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/kusie-calgarians-have-good-reason-to-be-upset-about-property-taxes

There’s been a lot of talk about property taxes lately — and for good reason. Calgarians are shocked and appalled by the increases they’ve received in the mail. 

• Zero wage increase in 2018 for zero property tax in 2017.
• Measure would cover 3.4 per cent of the proposed 4.7 per cent 2017 increase.
  
  

From the Calgary Herald. By By Paige MacPherson, Amber Ruddy and Stephanie Kusie.

First published in the Calgary Sun.

For months now, Common Sense Calgary has been suggesting to city council to cool their jets on spending and taxation.