Your paper has reported on some interesting budget meetings featuring discussions on the sale of facilities and which services cost less than others as the criteria for retention of services.
After years of shoveling money off the back of the truck along with the turnips, governments including Justin (Trudeau), David (Eby) and North Cowichan are, at least for radio, TV and newspaper purposes, expressing concern about costs. While some think high costs are all the result of grocery store profits, some are looking at new revenue sources.
For years the humble house was sacred, off limits and a method for capital accumulation for people. WAC Bennett created it, but Glen Clark won an election on saving the homeowner grant. Now our betters in Victoria and Ottawa look at houses as cash cows.
But real property is far and away the historical main source of funds for local government. Gas tax revenue is substantial but with the onset of ‘active transportation’ that source will shrink to a just oblivion. So local government should look to other revenue streams.
One suggestion would be to accumulate some forest land. Start a sustainable logging/recreation program to provide revenue for the municipality and some jobs and fibre for local industry. In addition to covering the cost of the day-to-day operation, perhaps some money could be set aside (when revenue was up) in a reserve fund rising to say $5-6 million. Taxes paid by those employed could fund UBC forestry studies into carbon credits or fund heat pumps in Nova Scotia.
Hopefully, the program will be award winning. Kingsview viewscapes may be impacted but it will help reduce property taxes.
Give it some thought but please don’t get those UBC guys to study it.
Glen Ridgway,
North Cowichan