Dear Editor,
I would like to thank councillors Stephen Clark and Matt Rockley for respecting my tax dollars. Two recent issues have highlighted their fiscal responsibility to me: the discussion on public transit, and the new garbage program.
The proposed public transit program seems to be a significant waste of taxpayer funds. I don’t think there is sufficient demand for this service in Okotoks. Let’s face it; this is a pretty wealthy community. Most households have more than one car. If commuters aren’t driving directly to work, I would predict most would prefer to drive or carpool to the C-train station than wait for a bus. A look at the proposed project costs causes greater concern. First, the capital cost of $20 million is significant. Whether the Town is paying or the Province is paying, those are still my tax dollars. If other municipalities are taking the same attitude expressed by our mayor with respect to provincial funds, I fear I’m paying for fiscally irresponsible projects all over this province. Second, the operating costs of over $1 million per year have very low recovery rates from ridership. It is too heavily subsidized. At the end of the day this seems like a waste of taxpayer dollars to benefit very few people. Stephen Clark seems to recognize this, and I appreciate him expressing this to council.
The new garbage program also causes me concern. I do not agree that I should be paying more for less service. Our existing garbage limits are among the lowest in the province. The majority of council appears to think that we should now pay more for less. This is disappointing. With respect to the cost of additional bins, I agree with councillor Matt Rockley. The cost of the extra bin should reflect the actual incremental cost to the town. No more, no less. The Town should not view public works as sources of revenue. Revenues for the Town are really just taxes to me. Public works should be charged at cost. This provides transparency to the citizen on Town operations. It also allows council to hold administration more accountable for efficiently running public works. I would like to thank councillors Rockley and Clark for the positions they took on this issue. I sincerely wish I could express this appreciation to more of our councillors and our mayor.
Nathan Stephan
Okotoks
