News profile1. What are your thoughts on city ownership of Saamis Solar, and what direction would you want to see council take with ownership of renewables?
Rather than focus on large solar fields, a more sustainable option is one that is more prevalent in Europe, people taking responsibility for their own energy by installing solar panels on private structures. Here, both the federal and the provincial governments have incentives and grants available. Excess energy can be sold back to the grid (minus transmission costs) Baseload capacity is required either way. A win-win without hundreds of millions spent.
2. What are your thoughts on the future of the energy division, specifically the concept of turning it into a municipally controlled corporation?
Maintaining electrical generation is the key to the Hat’s future as we have sold most of the gas and oil assets. The question of Council’s effective control is debatable given the debacle of two years ago when Council did not control the price to ratepayers – a classic model for being blind to local customers’ needs. The Rate Review Committee is a good start. A new MCC “light” proposal is coming forward, which must be honestly discussed with the constituents.
3. How would you look to balance taxation with the operation costs of running a city, as well as the services provided to residents?
In the last five years, the city spent, on average, over $400 million a year while collecting $80 million in taxes (only 20% of the total spent). The rest comes from utility sales, money from other governments, investment income, and more than $700 mil in reserves. Balance comes from using excess income for current taxpayers rather than future ones. A Three year tax freeze will allow for some economic certainty. Times are tough, the city doesn’t need to make it worse.
4. How would you approach economic development and any need to incentivize business to come to Medicine Hat?
Lack of economic & population growth has become a crisis, something ignored by previous councils. Economic development requires promoting the city’s many positive attributes, face to face, with prospective new companies. Face to face works. Every opportunity must be taken. Invite newcomers, ask “how can we help”? Use effective policies to get rid of red tape, reduce the cost and time of permits, and discontinue offsite levies (which is really a tax on new home and business owners). Use whatever resources we have – land, utilities, and taxation, to attract new business.
