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 Last Monday Council had a whale of a debate about whether we could afford to pay an environment coordinator to carry out the implementation of an approved Environmental Master Plan that took almost two years to complete at a cost of some $250,000.
Some Councillors suggested we are hiring too many coordinators when we are having intractable budget issues in 2007. It will be interesting to see how many Councillors kick up a stink this Monday over an administrative recommendation to create a Corporate Communications/Public Affairs Office -- including a Director of Corporate Communications, four Communications Specialists, a Corporate Communications Writer/Editor and a marketing assistant. This small army of seven people, up from the current two communications staff, will cost the city an additional $259,427 per year in salaries, benefits, program expenses and office supplies. The annual cost could be reduced to $207,553 if Council follows an administrative suggestion not to fill a second Clean City position in the Public Works division. The rationale for recommending this tripling of communications staff comes from the recent Community Strategic Plan (CSP) workshops. One of the priorities identified in these sessions was “greater communication with residents, businesses and stakeholders to promote the awareness of and participation in community programs and services.” Nobody should be too surpirsed that the strategic planning sessions would be used as a rationale to drive up staff and spending. Look no farther than another item on Monday’s agenda which updates the 2007 budget process. This item recommends that Council direct administration to produce a budget that would increase the average tax levy by two percent, plus a one percent Capital Levy, “and plus any service enhancements from the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) Priorities.” The Corporate Communications piece is seen as one of the additions to the recommended three-percent hike. We are left to wonder how many more CSP recommendations will be coming forward in the weeks ahead. This is the scary part for me. You may have noticed that other municipalities in the region have already set their tax rates (Essex County raised its upper tier rate 1.8 percent the other night).
Meanwhile, Councillors in Big Sister Windsor haven’t even seen the full budget document, and here we are almost in March. We are told that administration, at this point, is facing a budget $27-million higher than the 2006 base, representing a seven-percent tax increase. Part of the “cost drivers” identified are $1.4 million in additional staffing requests and $2.5 million in service level improvements. Under the timelines being recommended Monday night, the budget will not be tabled until April 9, and won’t be deliberated by Council until April 16th. In other words, by the time Council sets a rate, one third of the year’s spending will already be done. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that the longer it takes to complete a budget in the fiscal year the less flexibility there is to cut costs.
I would suggest Mayor Francis and administration pre-determined long ago that the increase will be three to four percent this year, and Council will be powerless to do anything about it.
With the majority of our cost drivers fixed through collective agreements, rising social services costs and various revenue reductions, about the only flexibility Council does have is to reject staffing increases and service level improvements. The pressure and rhetoric from above will be overwhelming Monday night to take that flexibility away unless Council wants to repudiate its Community Strategic Plan. After all the resources poured into that process, that would be like rejecting motherhood.
So brilliant, and yet so predictable.
Readers have left 10 comments. No.1 Untitled
Let me get this straight: the wizards at City Hall want to spend over $250,000 for a corporate communications plan while, at the same time, trying to raise taxes of 3%?
This makes no sense whatsoever and I fervently hope you will oppose it, Councillor Halberstadt.
Repudiating the Community Strategic Plan when you don't have enough money to fund your existing programs is the only way to go. And if those irresponsible bureaucrats at City Hall push this idea, let them take the money out of their collective pay cheques--not out of taxpayers who are living in a city that has the highest unemployment rate in Canada.
If any the bone-headed councillors go along with this proposal, there is something seriously wrong with them. You don't spend money you don't have--especially on a communications program that is not nearly as important as other matters. No wonder the bureaucracy likes this--it helps them grow even bigger. Hopefully, any bone-headed councillor who votes for it will be condemned in public and at election time.
I'm watching--and, with the exception of Councillor Halberstadt--it is absolutely ridiculous to see how our elected "representatives" are wasting the people's money.
No.2 Untitled
When will the shameless and unaccountable bureaucrats at City Hall ever be overruled by the mostly cowardly, gutless and irresponsible members of Windsor City Council?
Don't they understand that you do not impose a 3% tax increase and increase spending for a corporate communications policy at the same time?
Please, Councillor Halberstadt, as the one and probably the only responsible member of Windsor City Council, do not let them get away with this.
We need to know how each of our unaccountable representatives votes on this matter--and make sure that anybody who supports this latest scheme is summarily thrown out of office.
It is terrible to work for a living and have your tax money taken away by this entire army of unaccountable bureaucrats and irresponsible councillors--including the mayor. No.3 Untitled
Councillor Halberstadt, please stop the proposal for spending $258,000 for a communications office. It is ludicrous, pure and simple!
Windsor is deteriorating slowly--and its economy has been hurt by high unemployment. To raise taxes on people and to implement new programs--especially secondary ones like communications--is hurtful.
Please do not let this happen. It is a complete waste of money at a time when so many are struggling--and so many more will be struggling soon. No.4 Untitled
I keep thinking what goes through the heads of those weak and cowardly city councillors who are allowing the city to deteriorate because of their lack of vision.
How can you raise taxes and spend money for communications consultants? With the unemployment rate at just under 10% and with a further jump now contemplated (see the projections of The Conference Board of Canada for the next year) it is reckless to vote for such a measure. Reckless, reckless, reckless.
Where is the money for this coming from? In short course, as The Conference Board points out, Windsor will have higher unemployment, fewer tax revenues and stinted economic growth.
Where on earth will the political will to stand up to the self-interested bureaucrats come from? Aside from Councillor Halberstadt, I have seen very little courage from the elected councillors--they are simply doing the bidding of the bureaucrats.
And, as for the mayor, shame on you too! You are falling into the same trap that made your predecessor so spectacularly unsuccessful. Why don't you step up to the plate and halt any tax increase, starting with a proposal to get rid of this silly communications office?
Let's see who has the courage on council to stop any further spending and higher taxes at a time when the city cannot afford either?
Based upon what I've seen from this gang, I'm not holding my breath. But then, miracles sometimes do happen. No.5 Untitled
This mayor? Get rid of a communications office? Let's be honest here... this mayor is only about communications. Lots of big talk, little action. Lots of grandstanding, little actual sword bearing. Talk of urgency and action, years (and years!) of inaction and "studies". This mayor is ONLY about communications. Style over substance. Expect the communications office spending to proceed. No.6 Untitled
I agree with Mr. Hickenbottom: the mayor is only about propoganda--lots of grandstanding and little actual sword beareing. This mayor, who is so wedded to the bureaucrats, is a do-nothing type who allows Windsor to burn with high unemployment while hiring "communicators" and raising our taxes. Shame on him and good for you, Mr. Halberstadt! Why can't your fellow councillors get it into their heads that something needs to change--and that hiring more bureaucrats is absolutely ridiculous! No.7 Untitled
I would feel so much better if Alan Halberstadt ran the city. Our mayor lets taxes rise and No.8 Untitled
If the other members of City Council had a blog such as this, they wouldn't need to spend a penny on their ridiculous idea of hiring people for communications functions that will turn out to be nothing more than the propoganda arm of the city government.
This blog is excellent. It allows Mr. Halberstadt to state his views and allows others to question them.
Why don't the other councillors--none of whom have adopted this innovative model of communication--get a blog as well?
If they are too lazy to state their views and to hear the people--and want to spend the people's money on expensive communications departments at City Hall--they should all get out of politics. What a disgusting bunch! And kudos to you, Mr. Halberstadt. With representatives like you, democracy still has a chance to survive. No.9 Untitled
Eddie Francis has turned out to be a complete disappointment as mayor--he has gotten into bed with the bureaucracy over and over again. And all it does is cost everyone money. It is time for you to run the city, Mr. Halberstadt. At least we would get intelligent, informed and responsive government. Why don't you run for mayor and keep these bureaucrats under control? No.10 Untitled
The City of Windsor would be much better if Alan ran the city taxes would be lower, better services and more police for the city. 
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