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Leanne's Affordability Plan

I will protect Guelph's AAA credit rating.

Efficiency.  Investment.  Revenue.

 

Our community is at its affordability tolerance limit.  Young adults can't afford to live here. Families are struggling with everyday expenses.  Seniors can't stay in their homes on a fixed income.  I hear you. I'm feeling it too and so are my children and my neighbours.

I won't sugar coat it--we have major challenges ahead.  It makes good political theatre during an election to point fingers. The real reasons are boring: provincial downloading, fuel and energy costs, mandated growth-related infrastructure, deferred capital projects, social service and policing demand, and much more.  I could go on. But I won't, because it doesn't solve the problem.  

I will protect our AAA credit rating. I've rolled up my sleeves in the past and I'll do it again.  I have strong background in budgeting and fiscal management. I will tackle affordability by addressing efficiency, investment and revenue.  Under my watch, no one will be left behind.

Efficiency

Efficiency is about how we deliver services. Making every tax dollar count without compromising quality and impact.

Investment

Smart, strategic investment saves money over time. If we invest in the right things, you save money in other ways. 

Revenue

Expanding and finding new sources of revenue means the burden doesn’t fall on your property tax bill. 

 

Efficiency

 

Here's the plan:

1. Value for money audits, service reviews and best practice scans.  We've been doing them for years and seeing the results.

    • Action:  Update the schedule and bring forward the ones with the highest potential cost savings.
    • Action:  Scan audits from other municipalities and translate efficiencies locally.

2.  Engage our staff in the solutions.  They are the experts, and they want to help.

    • Action:  Internal "suggestion box" with incentives and recognition.
    • Action:

3.  Measure and assess what we are doing right, and where we are underperforming.

    • Action:  Explore a universal quality management system that is used consistently throughout the organization.
    • Action:

4.  Do it locally wherever possible.  Do we have trained staff who can translate skills?

    • Action: Bring fleet maintenance under one roof - buses, police cars, ambulances, trucks, etc. all serviced locally.

5. Double up.  Winter and summer machines that can be used year round.

    • Action: Replace speciality vehicles with multi-purpose equipment whenever possible to get maximum value.

6.  Buddy up.  Things cost less when you purchase and plan on a larger and longer scale.

    • Action:  Purchasing, staff sharing, and technology systems with school boards, County of Wellington and other public agencies.

 

Investment

 

There are two types of strategic investment I will focus on as Mayor.  

  1.  Saving money internally.  Here's how:
    • Investing in technology that saves time and money, lowering the cost of doing business. 
      • Action:
    • Investing in technology that generates revenue. 
      • Action: 
    • Investing in energy reliability to withstand the impact of fossil fuel price surges. 
      • Actions:  

2.  Saving you money everyday -- using your own taxes.

    • Investing in expanding public services that save you money. 
      • Action:  Invest in strategic transit for employment areas with higher frequency, better reliability and closer proximity to where you need to go. Buying or leasing a car in Ontario averages over $1,300 a month. That's money you can keep in your pocket.
    • Investing in energy and water conservation expansion. 
      • Action:  Expanding energy and water conservation programs for low income households and renters. Your lower utility bills will be welcome relief.

Revenue

Here's how I'll do it:

  1. Intergovernmental advocacy
    • Actions:
      1.  Work with other university towns and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and College of Ontario Universities (COU)  to pressure the province to update the "Heads and Beds" levy, which has not changed since 1987.  A cost-of-living increase would put $xxx
  2.