It’s the beginning of a new year and with that comes municipal budget time! Now, to be honest, tax policy is not on my top 10 list of things I want to read. However, I am a big believer in this quote from Brent Toderian: “The truth about a city's aspirations isn't found in its vision. It's found in its budget.” So, for you dear Citified readers, I have spent some time digging into the draft budgets of our local municipalities. This week I’ll share some budget basics as well as ways you can provide your input. Next week, I’ll provide a few more details on the draft budgets themselves.
Re: “The truth about a city's aspirations isn't found in its vision. It's found in its budget.” Our aspirations are what we "strive for, seek eagerly to attain, long to reach." They are rooted in inspiration and imagination, and achieved through effort. We have to work for them. Budgets reveal limits on what is possible, at least with regard to anything that can be achieved by investing money. The truth revealed in these numbers is that, given the restrictions on what those who represent us on municipal councils are permitted to do in an antiquated political order that defines cities as "creatures" -- in effect, dependencies or colonies -- of the province as parent or guardian, striving to attain much more than what we see in this pie chart is unconstitutional. It might be better to hold back on our aspirations until we are allowed to venture out of the nest and try our wings. We can start by gathering courage and building confidence. This won't go on forever. Fledglings are supposed to grow up, and join the flock, gaggle, murder, round, cast, museum, chime, mob, herd, band, or whatever.
Re: “The truth about a city's aspirations isn't found in its vision. It's found in its budget.” Our aspirations are what we "strive for, seek eagerly to attain, long to reach." They are rooted in inspiration and imagination, and achieved through effort. We have to work for them. Budgets reveal limits on what is possible, at least with regard to anything that can be achieved by investing money. The truth revealed in these numbers is that, given the restrictions on what those who represent us on municipal councils are permitted to do in an antiquated political order that defines cities as "creatures" -- in effect, dependencies or colonies -- of the province as parent or guardian, striving to attain much more than what we see in this pie chart is unconstitutional. It might be better to hold back on our aspirations until we are allowed to venture out of the nest and try our wings. We can start by gathering courage and building confidence. This won't go on forever. Fledglings are supposed to grow up, and join the flock, gaggle, murder, round, cast, museum, chime, mob, herd, band, or whatever.
Roads are a disappointingly large (largest) piece of pie