Re: "Input sought at spending-cuts session," Aug. 29.
While I applaud Coun. Lisa Helps' initiative in consulting neighbourhood residents on city finances, it strikes me that governing the capital city of British Columbia is slightly more complicated than playing with Monopoly money.
The headline referring to a "spending cuts session" captures the problem - Victoria city council has already predetermined that it will cut $6 million over three years to meet an annual property tax cap of 3.25 per cent.
To my knowledge, no public input took place before this motion was adopted, and that process does not reflect the "participatory budget-making" approach. True public engagement would start with a comprehensive public overview of the state of the city's finances.
As Helps states, revenues were higher in previous years, so the city's expenditures were not "out of control" but appropriate, given the revenue stream at the time. Indeed, spending on key issues such as harm reduction and affordable housing not only addressed critical public health and safety concerns, but also saved the city money in the long run.
I don't see how austerity measures designed to hit an arbitrary tax target will help families or businesses contribute to economic recovery in our region. Further neglect of our infrastructure and cuts to social programs will make life less affordable for residents.
It's time for council to begin a real conversation with taxpayers on next year's budget, with all spending and revenue options on the table.
Erik Kaye
Victoria
