It’s time to separate fact from fiction when it comes to taxes in Aurora.
During the past term of Council, Aurora has had the lowest average tax rate in the past 20 years.
We also took steps to ensure predictability in Aurora’s future rate by approving a policy – recommended by our Financial Advisory Committee – to cap the tax rate at inflation plus 1% with the 1% specifically directed to building up our reserves. This means residents and businesses will no longer be subject to the wild fluctuations in tax rates that have occurred in the past.
Additionally, I also looked for more ways to reduce Aurora’s tax levy. I put forward a number of motions to look for cost savings, including advocating a hiring freeze, instituting a liquidated damage clause on capital projects, as well as introducing a motion to reduce the proposed operating budget. In 2015, I put forward a motion to reduce the proposed operating budget by $100,000; a reduction that would not affect our services but would reduce our tax burden. The motion passed narrowly by a vote of 5 to 4.
In a recorded vote, John Abel and Geoffrey Dawe voted against this motion to reduce your taxes.
And Chris Ballard?…Well voters have already made it clear what they thought of the budgets that he has supported at the provincial elections this past June.
With just days to go until Election Day, I understand why the other candidates are now scrambling to position themselves as anti-tax. But their voting record does not support that fiction.
What is clear is that I am the only mayoral candidate that voted in favour of reducing your tax levy and finding efficiencies. And that’s a fact.
