While glancing through the Nov. 1 edition of the St. Albert Gazette, I came across the proposed utility rate increase that was hidden on the bottom of page 7 of the eight-page insert devoted to the City of St. Albert's 2015 - 2017 Business Plan and 2015 Budget.
20.1 per cent!
20.1 per cent is the increase that the City of St. Albert proposes to increase every homeowner's utility rate for the upcoming tax year. It is a ludicrous amount when considering a proposed 3.3% property tax increase in addition to that amount.
On the last page of that insert was an invitation for residents to contact the mayor and the six individual councillors directly.
I did, inviting each one to provide me with the logic of such an increase via 'email' response.
To my surprise, Coun. Sheena Hughes responded to my 'email' within nine minutes. Much to her credit, her response was informative and enlightening, especially the parts where she stated, “As a result of this one decision, the utilities will climb $112 higher than needed next year (contributing to the $300+ total next year), and it will continue climb to $150 or higher per year within five years. That would not have happened if the MSI provincial funding had remained in our utilities budget. This was done against the recommendation of administration, and did not need to occur – it is effectively a second tax hike through our water bill. The decision can be reversed at anytime by this council or the next one, depending on the will of the majority of council."
Councillor Hughes then invited me to feel free to contact her to continue the discussion on this or any other subject.
How refreshing that response was.
Now compare this to the dismissive response that I subsequently received from Mayor Nolan Crouse the following day, "Thank you for your input and comments. The long and short of the answer is that the funds are required to maintain the infrastructure over the next 10 years. (Rolling 10-year capital plan needs funds to avoid borrowing) Regards."
It's been proven time and time again that once politicians have been in office for something longer than one term, their mindset seems to change from that of being “a public servant” to one of being part of 'a ruling class'.
The dismissive tone of Crouse in his 'email' to me was more than enough proof that it is time for him to go.
Councillors Brodhead, Heron, MacKay, Osborne and Prefontaine, I am still waiting to hear from you.
Randy Kish, St. Albert
