Perhaps the city should actually follow the policy they already have. What's the use of a temporary "parking ban" on snow routes during a declared snow emergency if the city just turns around and refunds and/or cancels any tickets issued, as a COURTESY no less. All this accomplished was to reward those who chose to disregard the rules the rest of us obeyed. Maybe these guys should get their act together and enforce the rules they already have, rather then threaten to raise taxes, which seems to always be their fall back position.
On February 9th, 2010 Anonymous (not verified) says:
Choice number 1 and 2. The city can't clear our streets adequately on the budget that they give to snow removal. Winnipeg has 3 times the amount of streets and spends more than double what Saskatoon does per kilometre. If you want better snow removal, the city will have to bring in some sort of snow removal fee, added to the property taxes. I'm sick and tired of people complaining about lack of public services, yet scream bloody murder whenever new taxes are added to pay for it. Sorry folks, you can't have good snow removal without paying for it.
On February 9th, 2010 Anonymous (not verified) says:
Tender out more of the work to the private sector. They will be more then happy to come out and work when called on, unlike the city workers who were refusing to come out and work unless they got paid more then the double time (@ $60+ per hour) they would have gotten on the weekend when the snow first started falling. That is the reason why there was no one clearing snow on sat/sun. They were demanding more than what their contract entitles them to.
On February 9th, 2010 Anonymous (not verified) says:
The mayor seems to believe that people want to "pay more" for additional snow removal. We all know what happens every time you see a tax increase, more money, less service.
I quizzed my council member about where the snow removal budget went when there was a surplus...no answer to that one. I guess if you ignore maybe the questions go away.
Some questions for the city council and mayor.
1. was there snow removal surpluses that were used elsewhere.
2. if there was a surplus in previous years how come more equipment was not purchased. (Like a grader can't be used year round).
3. How can even think of proposing "more taxes" for snow removal when many of the other projects have gone over budget? Earth to Saskatoon gov't...divert money to basics before engaging in the luxuries.
With an increased tax base, there should be an increased snow removal budget (as a %age of total), not a static amount. Quit blowing my tax dollars, and start spending more responsibly.
On February 9th, 2010 Anonymous (not verified) says:
I think the city is to lenient on parking period! (in reference to the previous posters comment on parking)
My personal opinion on the subject of snow clearing and cost to do it, is that we need to bring in more private contractors to get it done, and the money to increase this budget needs to come from some other places within the city.
Saskatoon keeps increasing taxes for everything, and it doesn't appear to be tightening the budget belt anywhere else. Businesses, cities and the like really need to take a different approach to budgeting and management of funds, perhaps an approach like many households have to take...to spend more in one area, you have to spend less in another. It is simple math.
I work in finance and see average citizens living on extreme levels of credit, ALWAYS living in credit (the red), and never ever in the black. It all starts with spending more than you are taking in. Average families cannot simply request more money and get it, and the city needs to stop that practice that it has gotten into as well.
I work for the Federal Public Service, we have been forced to take a hold on wage increases so that the government can hold its budgets...why can't the city look at other options.
FInally, the last question I have to ask is why the city doesn't budget for a winter that has plenty of snow (kind of a worst case scenario). Wouldn't it be better to be completely prepared rather than unprepared and suffer after you have failed to meet expectations? Seems to make sense to me...
Comments
Snow Policy
Perhaps the city should actually follow the policy they already have. What's the use of a temporary "parking ban" on snow routes during a declared snow emergency if the city just turns around and refunds and/or cancels any tickets issued, as a COURTESY no less. All this accomplished was to reward those who chose to disregard the rules the rest of us obeyed. Maybe these guys should get their act together and enforce the rules they already have, rather then threaten to raise taxes, which seems to always be their fall back position.
Tendering out more work
Tendering out more work would also mean more tax dollars
Choice number 1 and 2. The
Choice number 1 and 2. The city can't clear our streets adequately on the budget that they give to snow removal. Winnipeg has 3 times the amount of streets and spends more than double what Saskatoon does per kilometre. If you want better snow removal, the city will have to bring in some sort of snow removal fee, added to the property taxes. I'm sick and tired of people complaining about lack of public services, yet scream bloody murder whenever new taxes are added to pay for it. Sorry folks, you can't have good snow removal without paying for it.
Tender out more of the work
Tender out more of the work to the private sector. They will be more then happy to come out and work when called on, unlike the city workers who were refusing to come out and work unless they got paid more then the double time (@ $60+ per hour) they would have gotten on the weekend when the snow first started falling. That is the reason why there was no one clearing snow on sat/sun. They were demanding more than what their contract entitles them to.
more service with no tax increase
The mayor seems to believe that people want to "pay more" for additional snow removal. We all know what happens every time you see a tax increase, more money, less service.
I quizzed my council member about where the snow removal budget went when there was a surplus...no answer to that one. I guess if you ignore maybe the questions go away.
Some questions for the city council and mayor.
1. was there snow removal surpluses that were used elsewhere.
2. if there was a surplus in previous years how come more equipment was not purchased. (Like a grader can't be used year round).
3. How can even think of proposing "more taxes" for snow removal when many of the other projects have gone over budget? Earth to Saskatoon gov't...divert money to basics before engaging in the luxuries.
With an increased tax base, there should be an increased snow removal budget (as a %age of total), not a static amount. Quit blowing my tax dollars, and start spending more responsibly.
I think the city is to
I think the city is to lenient on parking period! (in reference to the previous posters comment on parking)
My personal opinion on the subject of snow clearing and cost to do it, is that we need to bring in more private contractors to get it done, and the money to increase this budget needs to come from some other places within the city.
Saskatoon keeps increasing taxes for everything, and it doesn't appear to be tightening the budget belt anywhere else. Businesses, cities and the like really need to take a different approach to budgeting and management of funds, perhaps an approach like many households have to take...to spend more in one area, you have to spend less in another. It is simple math.
I work in finance and see average citizens living on extreme levels of credit, ALWAYS living in credit (the red), and never ever in the black. It all starts with spending more than you are taking in. Average families cannot simply request more money and get it, and the city needs to stop that practice that it has gotten into as well.
I work for the Federal Public Service, we have been forced to take a hold on wage increases so that the government can hold its budgets...why can't the city look at other options.
FInally, the last question I have to ask is why the city doesn't budget for a winter that has plenty of snow (kind of a worst case scenario). Wouldn't it be better to be completely prepared rather than unprepared and suffer after you have failed to meet expectations? Seems to make sense to me...