City Charter and Powers

[edmonton daily photo]

As discussions around Edmonton's City Charter are on going we should discuss the same. What would you like to see happen...

This is a huge broad topic that covers everything from bylaws,taxation and providing services such as services for the homeless and ambulance.

This article was what got me thinking.
http://grist.org/food/pop-culture-th...orks-soda-war/

Today, the New York City Board of Health approved Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposal to limit the size of sugary soft drinks.

Motivated by rising diet-related chronic diseases (along with healthcare costs), the mayor’s attempt to rein in out- of-control portion sizes has caused quite a media firestorm. Predictably, the soda lobby came out swinging, complete with an industry front group called, “New Yorkers for Beverage Choices.” A better name might be, “Soda Pushers for Continued Profits.”

[edmonton daily photo]

Taxation... I want to see a density surcharge/discount applied to our property taxes! I also want to see a separate level of taxation for multifamily units and lot size.

Also please remove the school levy from our property tax bills.

[button]

Let me qualify what I'm saying by saying that I work for the Province...

Originally Posted by edmonton daily photo

Taxation... I want to see a density surcharge/discount applied to our property taxes! I also want to see a separate level of taxation for multifamily units and lot size.

It's not happening. It's considered part of the Alberta Advantage.

Also please remove the school levy from our property tax bills.

Even less likely. Besides the fact that when Ontario did it, household taxation rose at the same rate as the former portion of the Ed Tax. Why? Because munis just raised their mill rates, pocketed the same and left it to the province and the boards to figure out how to fund schools out of general revenue, i.e. raised taxes and user fees.

Like I said though, besides that obvious point, the ASFF contributes about 30% towards operating funding for our schools. 15 years ago it was over 50% and the millrate was 2.5x higher than it is now. A robust housing market have pushed housing prices up and along with them, assessment values. That $1.98 billion has to come from somewhere, and unless your solution is a sales tax, there is no fairer mechanism from which to apply education funding than property tax.

At best, you might get the annual requisition figure increase tied directly to real growth + 50% of assessed value, but it certainly won't be part of a City Charter as it would have to apply across the province to comply with our system of equalized assessment.

So quit complaining about your property taxes which are still among the lowest in Canada.

[peeved]

I want to see Politicians taxed on all of their salary. Why should they get 1/3 tax free. Give that break to seniors on there pensions. And drop the school tax for seniors when they turn 65.

[edmonton daily photo]

This is about the city charters.

And button, upon the removal of the school levy I fully expect the city to increase their property tax rate. It would be a huge windfall for the city.. A city with a massive infrastructure debt.

[ajs]

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/loc...?device=mobile An interesting story about a town, a province and taxation.

[Titanium48]

Originally Posted by button

Let me qualify what I'm saying by saying that I work for the Province...

It's not happening. It's considered part of the Alberta Advantage.

Nonsense. Policies that encourage sprawl are no advantage. It costs more per house to provide services in low density neighborhoods than in high density neighborhoods and tax rates should reflect that. Basing at least a portion of property taxes on land area and street frontage rather than value would be a good way of making that happen.

Originally Posted by button

Even less likely. Besides the fact that when Ontario did it, household taxation rose at the same rate as the former portion of the Ed Tax. Why? Because munis just raised their mill rates, pocketed the same and left it to the province and the boards to figure out how to fund schools out of general revenue, i.e. raised taxes and user fees.

In other words, the province of Ontario found a way to transfer some ability to raise money to municipalities. This is a good thing. If people don't like the city raising taxes to improve services, they can elect a different council next time.

Originally Posted by button

Like I said though, besides that obvious point, the ASFF contributes about 30% towards operating funding for our schools. 15 years ago it was over 50% and the millrate was 2.5x higher than it is now. A robust housing market have pushed housing prices up and along with them, assessment values. That $1.98 billion has to come from somewhere, and unless your solution is a sales tax, there is no fairer mechanism from which to apply education funding than property tax.

Nonsense again. Education is a universal public service that benefits everyone. The fairest way to fund it is from general revenue. Yes, I understand this will result in either a higher income tax rate or a sales tax. So be it.

[ajs]

This from our Municipal Affairs minister -- great. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...45/?cmpid=rss1

[edmonton daily photo]

^lol....

what a dork.