Just some of the reasons Wasaga taxes go up

This was a list submitted to me by someone last year around this time. It’s amazing as we look to the next big tax rates that some of these older issues now appear to have been wasted spending.

Biggest Tax increases in history. (The trend will probably continue)

Massive salary increases and new upper management positions. (This was added to, with insulting raises to elected officials this year.)

Excessive restrictions to curtail H2Oi that never was. (This years efforts were focused on warning another community)

Free Concerts on the Beach at huge cost to taxpayers. (No idea the total costs of these events- I doubt it would be a responsible looking report.)

Two CAO positions now filled with hand picked candidates with no real recruitment. (No change here)

Expidited Roads project (20 Million Dollars) without applying for Provincial/ Federal funding. (The project is nearing completion. Will a budget summary be released?)

500,000.00 party for new arena despite refusing budget for a $15,000.00 safety harness in that very arena. (Don’t EVER expect open and transparent reporting of this party.)

declaring several town properties as surplus with limited discussion. Who do you think is in line to buy these? (This saga continues- will beach access trails be forfeited? Will municipal parking lots be converted to private condos? Will the Old Arena get sold? The biggest disappointment here is the “For Sale By Owner” approach taken by the town in order to control the process and save money. This, is AFTER local realtors did massive backgrounds reports.)

Casino Money that could be used to build parks is squandered on a municipally operated health Centre that should be funded by the province. (Not a true walk in clinic even) (The hard costs for this clinic, not including wages is in the $10,000 to $12,000 a month range.)

Windrow Snow removal promise switched out for a $200.00 grant that few will qualify for. (More changes made to this policy, but still no program promised by several Council members during election.)

– despite massive tax increases, Council gives themselves all raises, and they add a $35,000.00 expense account to their remuneration budget. This is a first ever expense account for Council in Wasaga beach. (This year, the Mayors increase was 40%… not a typo… 40%.)

– One of the most blatant election spending infractions is swept under the rug for those in office, claiming the over limits were simply mistakes. However, a full investigation is launched into one of the Mayors competitors when a complaint is filed by the Mayors good friend. (This report, thought to have cost THOUSANDS, found only a minor infraction- No scandal!)

– No action EVER taken by this Council, in regard to leaked personel records. Hmmmm, rather convenient with the THOUSANDS spent on auditors. (See Cheque registers once eventually released) (This year there is still no follow-up report for the accusations inferred in the report of issues forwarded to the OPP.)

Of course, 2024 has provided all kinds of new things to think about. It’s interesting though looking back.