Moose Jaw Forum

Despite weeks of work property taxes are going up 3.92 percent.
I read in the TH that despite not being unanimous, that the proposed operating budget is on its way up with zero dollars in reductions.
I will have to admit that in the budget meeting I attended before Christmas that I thought there would be some sort of changes and cuts made, but I see that apparently nothing has changed.
I am only assuming tbis, but I am guessing from the 4 - 3 split here tbat the Multi-Plex got to keep the surplus funds from its operating budget.
This is just sad as I thought there was some room here to keep a lid on taxes or at least move funds to help pay for the new hospital.

Priapus wrote:Coleman made a motion that the MOB would report to council what it had done with the surplus once the audited statement was finished, probably April. Note that they will report "what they had done with the surplus" not report the surplus or seek Council's approval of what to do with it, merely they will tell council when they are done. The motion passed 4-3.

That is just sickening because it sounds like to me that they get to keep the $600,000 plus operating surplus and do with it as the like for whatever capital project, repar or upgrade the s chose.
Isn't this sort of a change of tone though from being just pixey money or phantom money to actual money?

So here ee have a third party board setting themselves up nicely whilst the city struggles and we are going to be increasing the hospital levy in a major way.

Priapus wrote:

truth defender wrote:

Priapus wrote:Coleman made a motion that the MOB would report to council what it had done with the surplus once the audited statement was finished, probably April. Note that they will report "what they had done with the surplus" not report the surplus or seek Council's approval of what to do with it, merely they will tell council when they are done. The motion passed 4-3.

That is just sickening because it sounds like to me that they get to keep the $600,000 plus operating surplus and do with it as the like for whatever capital project, repar or upgrade the s chose.
Isn't this sort of a change of tone though from being just pixey money or phantom money to actual money?

So here ee have a third party board setting themselves up nicely whilst the city struggles and we are going to be increasing the hospital levy in a major way.

Yep, just last week Coleman called the surplus "mythical". this week he is making a motion saying they will tell us what happened to it after the fact. I expect it will be well buried in some interesting line items of their final audited statement. basically disappearing it into a slush fund.

This is just my opinion, but I thought that that money was for operating expenses for the year and not to be banked into some sort offund that is not under the direct control of council.
Now what we have is a fund that in my opinion - if this has been reported accurately - that is separate from council and is not just for repairs but could go into any upgrade that the MOB saw fit to take on. If I read this correctly could they not use the money for lets say upgrading the skyboxes with kid leather seating if they so chose with the funds?

Priapus wrote:Coleman made a motion that the MOB would report to council what it had done with the surplus once the audited statement was finished, probably April. Note that they will report "what they had done with the surplus" not report the surplus or seek Council's approval of what to do with it, merely they will tell council when they are done. The motion passed 4-3.

What is wrong with the Mayor and the three councilors that passed this motion.
Where is the transparency? Where is it stated that the Multiplex Operating Board has different operating procedures than other 3rd party city operations?
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
I for one am sick of this manipulation of city (taxpayers of Moose Jaw) funds to the needs of a few.

Perhaps some sort of recall procedure for councilors and the mayor needs to be in place; before Moose Jaw ends up with the HIGHEST taxes of any city in Canada.

However, Hagel did say that when audited statements are available in the spring council can choose what to do with the extra funds, if there are any.


If there are any ?

Sounds to me like the MOB already plans on spending this money on the multiplex.

So Mr. Mayor why is it that with this third party board we have to wait until April for their operating budget? All other boards are familiar and follow procedures regarding obtaining operating funds from the city why not this board? With the outrageous amount of tax dollars going towards administering this board, I would have thought that they would lead with an exemplary example when applying for such funding from the city, not some piecemeal application. How can you Mr. Mayor accept this?

One thing someone remarked to me today was that with these tax increases plus an anticipated large hospital levy, that all of the relief people received through the reduction on the educational tax portion is now gone.
I cannot say if it is in fact true, but if it is then it is alarming to say the least...