One of three candidates running for mayor of Quinte West has made a strong commitment on property taxes.
Appearing on CJBQ’s Lorne Brooker Show recently, David Thomson, a newcomer to municipal politics, says he intends to use strong mayor powers to bring in budgets featuring zero per cent increases in each year of the four-year term.
“I realize that councillors can introduce amendments that might increase that and so what I’m willing to do and what I am going to do is any increase in that, any amendment that
results in a tax increase I will veto that with strong mayor powers.”
Thomson said both council and staff were very polished and professional and everyone seemed to have a baked-in belief that taxes needed to go up every year putting financial pressure on many residents.
Thomson has a plan should council override his zero per cent budget increase.
“They get a two thirds majority to override that veto and if they override and the final budget number that counts out is above a zero per cent rate increase I will resign as your mayor in that year.”
Meanwhile, Thompson is aware that some costs such as OPP, health unit and other outside agencies, along with union contracts, utility and fuel costs are out of council’s control.
“We need to put the hard cap on it and these departments (city) they know where the waste is. We just increase it every year and the incentives f0r these departments is to,
if you have extra money hide it, because if you don’t use it you lose it.”
Thomson, 40, has lived in Murray ward for 10 years and works on dairy systems for various local farms. He is married with six children.
Below is the full interview with David Thomson.
