As Island politicians wrestle with municipal budgets, it鈥檚 time to drag out what a taxpayer group calls the Beggar鈥檚 Checklist.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation created a to-do list for municipalities before they ask the federal or provincial governments for money for infrastructure and other big-ticket items, but it could also be on the agenda when setting tax rates.
The federation suggests that any time a municipality asks for money, it should be required to answer 10 questions that begin: 鈥淗as your municipality ...鈥�
1. Brought staff salaries in line with the private sector? 2. Contracted out services wherever possible? 3. Utilized public/private partnerships for capital projects? 4. Sold surplus land and assets? 5. Converted services to user fees? 6. Sought volunteers for the delivery of city services? 7. Refocused activities on core services? 8. Raised revenues for services through sponsorship activities? 9. Partnered with other governments for service delivery? 10. Utilized new technology to reduce costs?
Some are constrained by collective agreements. Others are as much about values as about money. How do we decide a fair wage outside collective bargaining? Do we want volunteers to deliver civic services?
Some 鈥� focusing on core services, sponsorships, new technology 鈥� should be part of every budget discussion.
Converting to user fees has been part of so many discussions that fees are becoming as onerous as taxes.
Partnering with other governments is efficient 鈥� even more efficient when municipalities turn partnership into amalgamation.
And we tried so hard not to bring that up again.
