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Click on Item below or Newsletters - See Top Menu
Newsletter December 4, 2021: Oak Bay We Have a Problem - Important Message
Newsletter October 24, 2021: Missing Information and Transparency (Important Website Visitor Messages)
Newsletter October 10, 2021: Part 2 - It can't get much worse than this - Or can it?
(Property Tax Concerns & Amalgamation Information)
Newsletter October 2, 2021 : It can't get much worse than this - Or can it?
Newsletter Sept. 22, 2021 Did You Know............?
Special Bulletin Sept 21, 2021 Dr. Wilmut's Secondary Suite Survey Summary Critique - Full Text
Newsletter Sept 14, 2021: Secondary Suite Study Consultant Survey Summary: Were you misinformed?
Newsletter: July 25, 2021 - Oak Bay's Basement Suite Campaign
Flash Alert: July 18, 2021 - What's All This About?
Newsletter July 17, 2021 - How Much Densification Can Oak Bay's Infrastructure Handle?
Newsletter July 10, 2021 - Is Oak Bay Protecting Our Natural Assets?
Newsletter - June 27, 2021 - In case you missed this:
Newsletter June 4, 2021 - Tax Notice Information Demystified
Final Reminder for Thursday's June 3rd, 2021 Secondary Suite Survey & Community Information Letter from Oak Bay Resident - Suggested Reading
Reminder: Secondary Suite Survey & Additional Background Information - May 29, 2021
Bulletin: May 22, 2021 - New Increased Tax Responsibility
Bulletin: May 19, 2021: Concerned Resident Secondary Suite Survey Critique
Oak Bay Council Secondary Suite Survey Questions
Bulletin: May 18, 2021 Important Secondary Suite Information
May 14, 2021: "ALERT" - Secondary Suite Survey - Information & Facts.
Newsletter May 3, 2021 Duplexes, triplexes, more suites, laneway houses etc. for Oak Bay single-family neighbourhoods?
News Flash Alert - April 29, 2019 Excessive Development Infill Project Charter Report
Newsletter April 17, 2021: Re This Please: Community Priorities Ignored.
Newsletter April 10, 2021: is Oak Bay's Leadership "Missing in Action?"
Newsletter March 27, 2021 Exposé: Want to know how your tax dollars are being spent?
Newsletter March 20, 2021 - Inconsistent and Contradictory Council Policies and Practices
Newsletter March 10, 2021 Part #2 - The Problem: Tree Asset Preservation, Infrastructure & Climate Impacts & Council’s Disconnect.
Important Message for Subscribers & Website Visitors
Newsletter February 26, 2021 Part #1 The Problem: Tree Asset Preservation, Infrastructure & Climate Impacts & Council’s Disconnect.
Newsletter February 5, 2021 Conflict of Interest Oak Bay Style
Newsletter January 23, 2021: Council Half-Term Reality Check
Newsletter January 9, 2021: When is Council Going to Control Excessive Densification?
2021_______________________________________________________
Newsletter December 29, 2020: Are Development Impacts Destroying Oak Bay's Ecology?
Newsletter December 18, 2020 "It's Easier to Fool People than to....
Newsletter December 8. 2020 Why Isn't Council Protecting Oak Bay's Character?
Newsletter Nov. 28, 2020 - "You Can Fool All of the People Some of the Time"
Flash Bulletin - Nov 2020: District of Oak Bay - Pandemic what Pandemic?
Newsletter: November 6, 2020 Collaboration and Interaction Needed
Newsletter October 25. 2020 Subdivision Proposal Controversy - We Highly Recommend You Read this Newsletter
Community Letters and Council (not good) News - October 11, 2020
Newsletter Sept 20, 2020: Do Speculators and Developers have too much Influence on Council Zoning Decisions?
Newsletter August 29, 2020: Development, Suites and Tax Impacts
Newsletter August 22, 2020: Is there a reason to be Suspicious?
Newsletter July 19.2020 - Council’s Loaded Agendas and Proverb: “Self Praise is No Recommendation”
Newsletter April 22, 2020: Important Information for Oak
Bay Property Taxpayers
Flash Bulletin: District of Oak Bay's Virtual Transparency
Newsletter March 14, 2020: Who is Driving Oak Bay?
Newsletter March 7, 2020: Oak Bay's Worrisome Future
Newsletter February 9, 2020 Housing Needs Report Trumps Community Interest.
Senior Staff Are Recommending WHAT, “ NO REALLY”?
Heads UP: Update Information for Residents
==================================================================
2019/2018 Newsletters - See Newsletter Page (Top Menu)
2019: Bulletins & Letters & Information
Letter to Council & Concerned Resident's Community Request - September 7, 2019
Council Report July 15, 2019 - A Business Plan Badly Needed
Council Report: You Better watch out, and you'd better cry - we are telling you why.
Bulletin - Secondary Suites Meeting April 25, 2019 & Facts
Council Report March 22, 2019 Oh My: You Must Read This.
Council Report and Subdivision Process - February 16, 2019 How Vulnerable are you?
Newsletters 2018
Council Report: How many councils does it take to turn on a light bulb? Committee of the Whole, December 12, 2018
Oak Bay Watch - Election Thank You
Bulletin - Municipal Election 2018 - Whom Shall I vote for?
-------------------------------------------------------------
BC OMBUDSPERSON INVESTIGATION of
THE DISTRICT OF OAK BAY
--------------------------------------------------------------
All Candidates Meeting Report - We suggest you read this.
BULLETIN: MORE TAXPAYER DOLLARS at RISK
Oak Bay Watch All Candidates Meeting - You are more powerful than you think
Saturday September 22, 2018 1:00 p.m.
Council Report: The Majority of Council versus Public Consultation
Newsletter - Two letters We suggest you read.
Council Report: March 12, 2018 You better Watch out (We're telling you why)
Council Report: Feb 26, 2018 - Stage ll Something is Seriously "Amiss"
(More than Previously Reported)
Council Report: Secondary Suites Resolution - Something is Seriously "Amiss"
"Flash Bulletin" Information - What's behind this Push to keep residents out of the Secondary Suite Decision?
Oak Bay Watch "Flash" Bulletin: Basement Suites Coming To Your Single-Family Neighbourhood
Council Alert - Committee of the Whole Meeting Jan 15, 2018
United Church Development - Resident Concerns.
COUNCIL REPORTS: Dec 11, 2017 ".... But you can't fool all of the people all of the time".
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nov 14, 2017 Bulletin: Oak Bay Councillor Kevin Murdoch's achievement recognized.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Council Meetings: November 20 & 27. 2017 Reports on "Failing Infrastructure" and "Process, What Process"?
Community Benefit Resolution
Newsletter November 16, 2017 The Quest - condos or trees etc? Council Monday Nov 20, 2017-
Council Meeting Oct 23, 2017: Shoreline Protection & Financial Information needed.Council Report: Oct 23, 17 Meeting
Newsletter Oct 20, 2017 - Who is paying for Development ? & Council Report (Oct 16, 2017 Meeting)
Community Letter: Foreshore Degradation Oct 10, 2017
Community Letter : Request for Council Development Plan Oct 10, 2017
Newsletter Sept 24, 2017 - Council Meeting News & Council's new Development Priorities
Newsletter Sept 16, 2017 - Town Hall Meeting & Council News
Town Hall Meeting Notes (Independent Facilitator)
TOWN HALL MEETING - Tuesday SEPT 12, 2017 - Monterey Centre 7:15 pm
"The World is Changed By People that Show Up"
Newsletter Sept 6, 2017 "Pave over paradise and put in a parking lot"
Oak Bay News Letters - Council and Infrastructure "failing Badly"
Newsletter JULY 9, 2017 Council's new Densification Threat - This could impact You.
Newsletter June 15, 2015 Oak Bay News - All the News that's fit to print - not.
Bulletin - Whale Watching Tours Good Idea? - Walk Sunday June 4th, 2017 (See deatails)
Newsletter May 28, 2018 - Can it get any worse than this? Oak Bay Council Report
Newsletter May 20, 2017 Council Reports on Community Impact Decisions
Reports May 12, 2017 (Uncensored) Breaking News - 2017 Budget controversy - Bowker Over -
Development
Newsletter- May 7, 2017 "Oh dear what can the matter be?" (See Newletters top menu)
Newsletter - April 30, 2017 Bowker/Cadboro Bay Over-Developemnt
Newsletter - April 23, 2017 Council's Basement Suite Plan $250,000 - Urban Forest Plan Zero
Newsletter - April 7, 2017 Council's inappropriate Priority Infill Decision.
Newsletter April 1, 2017 - Oak Bay Council: Infrastructure Versus Infill Densification?
Newsletter Mar 23, 2017 Transparency – Oak Bay Council has it covered (literally). see Newsletters
Newsletter March 11th 2017, Council's (New) Backup Development Plan
Newsletter March 1, 2017 Houston Err.. Oak Bay we have a problem.
Newsletter Jan 25, 2017 "Bad news for Oak Bay Residents"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisory Planning Commission recommendation on Abstract Design's Bowker-Bay Foul Proposal
Oak Bay News - November 16, 2016, Excellent Letter to Editor.
IDENTIFIED BY COMMUNITY - URBAN FOREST CONCERNS (see Attachment - data from Urban Forest Report )
HISTORICAL LANDMARK AT RISK - 1558 Beach Drive
URBAN TREE SURVEY - Weekly Newsletter
INTERESTING ARTICLE - "Oak Bay's finances warrants attention"
INFO SHEET - Timeline of Oak Bay Density (courtesy of resident Stephen Bowker)
INFO SHEET - Protect yourself when BLASTING is happening next door
WEBCAST - 2 easy steps to set up our broadcast reminder
ARTICLE: "Council not listening to residents' concerns".
Click on Item below or Newsletters - See Top Menu
Newsletter December 4, 2021: Oak Bay We Have a Problem - Important Message
Newsletter October 24, 2021: Missing Information and Transparency (Important Website Visitor Messages)
Newsletter October 10, 2021: Part 2 - It can't get much worse than this - Or can it?
(Property Tax Concerns & Amalgamation Information)
Newsletter October 2, 2021 : It can't get much worse than this - Or can it?
Newsletter Sept. 22, 2021 Did You Know............?
Special Bulletin Sept 21, 2021 Dr. Wilmut's Secondary Suite Survey Summary Critique - Full Text
Newsletter Sept 14, 2021: Secondary Suite Study Consultant Survey Summary: Were you misinformed?
Newsletter: July 25, 2021 - Oak Bay's Basement Suite Campaign
Flash Alert: July 18, 2021 - What's All This About?
Newsletter July 17, 2021 - How Much Densification Can Oak Bay's Infrastructure Handle?
Newsletter July 10, 2021 - Is Oak Bay Protecting Our Natural Assets?
Newsletter - June 27, 2021 - In case you missed this:
Newsletter June 4, 2021 - Tax Notice Information Demystified
Final Reminder for Thursday's June 3rd, 2021 Secondary Suite Survey & Community Information Letter from Oak Bay Resident - Suggested Reading
Reminder: Secondary Suite Survey & Additional Background Information - May 29, 2021
Bulletin: May 22, 2021 - New Increased Tax Responsibility
Bulletin: May 19, 2021: Concerned Resident Secondary Suite Survey Critique
Oak Bay Council Secondary Suite Survey Questions
Bulletin: May 18, 2021 Important Secondary Suite Information
May 14, 2021: "ALERT" - Secondary Suite Survey - Information & Facts.
Newsletter May 3, 2021 Duplexes, triplexes, more suites, laneway houses etc. for Oak Bay single-family neighbourhoods?
News Flash Alert - April 29, 2019 Excessive Development Infill Project Charter Report
Newsletter April 17, 2021: Re This Please: Community Priorities Ignored.
Newsletter April 10, 2021: is Oak Bay's Leadership "Missing in Action?"
Newsletter March 27, 2021 Exposé: Want to know how your tax dollars are being spent?
Newsletter March 20, 2021 - Inconsistent and Contradictory Council Policies and Practices
Newsletter March 10, 2021 Part #2 - The Problem: Tree Asset Preservation, Infrastructure & Climate Impacts & Council’s Disconnect.
Important Message for Subscribers & Website Visitors
Newsletter February 26, 2021 Part #1 The Problem: Tree Asset Preservation, Infrastructure & Climate Impacts & Council’s Disconnect.
Newsletter February 5, 2021 Conflict of Interest Oak Bay Style
Newsletter January 23, 2021: Council Half-Term Reality Check
Newsletter January 9, 2021: When is Council Going to Control Excessive Densification?
2021_______________________________________________________
Newsletter December 29, 2020: Are Development Impacts Destroying Oak Bay's Ecology?
Newsletter December 18, 2020 "It's Easier to Fool People than to....
Newsletter December 8. 2020 Why Isn't Council Protecting Oak Bay's Character?
Newsletter Nov. 28, 2020 - "You Can Fool All of the People Some of the Time"
Flash Bulletin - Nov 2020: District of Oak Bay - Pandemic what Pandemic?
Newsletter: November 6, 2020 Collaboration and Interaction Needed
Newsletter October 25. 2020 Subdivision Proposal Controversy - We Highly Recommend You Read this Newsletter
Community Letters and Council (not good) News - October 11, 2020
Newsletter Sept 20, 2020: Do Speculators and Developers have too much Influence on Council Zoning Decisions?
Newsletter August 29, 2020: Development, Suites and Tax Impacts
Newsletter August 22, 2020: Is there a reason to be Suspicious?
Newsletter July 19.2020 - Council’s Loaded Agendas and Proverb: “Self Praise is No Recommendation”
Newsletter April 22, 2020: Important Information for Oak
Bay Property Taxpayers
Flash Bulletin: District of Oak Bay's Virtual Transparency
Newsletter March 14, 2020: Who is Driving Oak Bay?
Newsletter March 7, 2020: Oak Bay's Worrisome Future
Newsletter February 9, 2020 Housing Needs Report Trumps Community Interest.
Senior Staff Are Recommending WHAT, “ NO REALLY”?
Heads UP: Update Information for Residents
==================================================================
2019/2018 Newsletters - See Newsletter Page (Top Menu)
2019: Bulletins & Letters & Information
Letter to Council & Concerned Resident's Community Request - September 7, 2019
Council Report July 15, 2019 - A Business Plan Badly Needed
Council Report: You Better watch out, and you'd better cry - we are telling you why.
Bulletin - Secondary Suites Meeting April 25, 2019 & Facts
Council Report March 22, 2019 Oh My: You Must Read This.
Council Report and Subdivision Process - February 16, 2019 How Vulnerable are you?
Newsletters 2018
Council Report: How many councils does it take to turn on a light bulb? Committee of the Whole, December 12, 2018
Oak Bay Watch - Election Thank You
Bulletin - Municipal Election 2018 - Whom Shall I vote for?
-------------------------------------------------------------
BC OMBUDSPERSON INVESTIGATION of
THE DISTRICT OF OAK BAY
--------------------------------------------------------------
All Candidates Meeting Report - We suggest you read this.
BULLETIN: MORE TAXPAYER DOLLARS at RISK
Oak Bay Watch All Candidates Meeting - You are more powerful than you think
Saturday September 22, 2018 1:00 p.m.
Council Report: The Majority of Council versus Public Consultation
Newsletter - Two letters We suggest you read.
Council Report: March 12, 2018 You better Watch out (We're telling you why)
Council Report: Feb 26, 2018 - Stage ll Something is Seriously "Amiss"
(More than Previously Reported)
Council Report: Secondary Suites Resolution - Something is Seriously "Amiss"
"Flash Bulletin" Information - What's behind this Push to keep residents out of the Secondary Suite Decision?
Oak Bay Watch "Flash" Bulletin: Basement Suites Coming To Your Single-Family Neighbourhood
Council Alert - Committee of the Whole Meeting Jan 15, 2018
United Church Development - Resident Concerns.
COUNCIL REPORTS: Dec 11, 2017 ".... But you can't fool all of the people all of the time".
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nov 14, 2017 Bulletin: Oak Bay Councillor Kevin Murdoch's achievement recognized.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Council Meetings: November 20 & 27. 2017 Reports on "Failing Infrastructure" and "Process, What Process"?
Community Benefit Resolution
Newsletter November 16, 2017 The Quest - condos or trees etc? Council Monday Nov 20, 2017-
Council Meeting Oct 23, 2017: Shoreline Protection & Financial Information needed.Council Report: Oct 23, 17 Meeting
Newsletter Oct 20, 2017 - Who is paying for Development ? & Council Report (Oct 16, 2017 Meeting)
Community Letter: Foreshore Degradation Oct 10, 2017
Community Letter : Request for Council Development Plan Oct 10, 2017
Newsletter Sept 24, 2017 - Council Meeting News & Council's new Development Priorities
Newsletter Sept 16, 2017 - Town Hall Meeting & Council News
Town Hall Meeting Notes (Independent Facilitator)
TOWN HALL MEETING - Tuesday SEPT 12, 2017 - Monterey Centre 7:15 pm
"The World is Changed By People that Show Up"
Newsletter Sept 6, 2017 "Pave over paradise and put in a parking lot"
Oak Bay News Letters - Council and Infrastructure "failing Badly"
Newsletter JULY 9, 2017 Council's new Densification Threat - This could impact You.
Newsletter June 15, 2015 Oak Bay News - All the News that's fit to print - not.
Bulletin - Whale Watching Tours Good Idea? - Walk Sunday June 4th, 2017 (See deatails)
Newsletter May 28, 2018 - Can it get any worse than this? Oak Bay Council Report
Newsletter May 20, 2017 Council Reports on Community Impact Decisions
Reports May 12, 2017 (Uncensored) Breaking News - 2017 Budget controversy - Bowker Over -
Development
Newsletter- May 7, 2017 "Oh dear what can the matter be?" (See Newletters top menu)
Newsletter - April 30, 2017 Bowker/Cadboro Bay Over-Developemnt
Newsletter - April 23, 2017 Council's Basement Suite Plan $250,000 - Urban Forest Plan Zero
Newsletter - April 7, 2017 Council's inappropriate Priority Infill Decision.
Newsletter April 1, 2017 - Oak Bay Council: Infrastructure Versus Infill Densification?
Newsletter Mar 23, 2017 Transparency – Oak Bay Council has it covered (literally). see Newsletters
Newsletter March 11th 2017, Council's (New) Backup Development Plan
Newsletter March 1, 2017 Houston Err.. Oak Bay we have a problem.
Newsletter Jan 25, 2017 "Bad news for Oak Bay Residents"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisory Planning Commission recommendation on Abstract Design's Bowker-Bay Foul Proposal
Oak Bay News - November 16, 2016, Excellent Letter to Editor.
IDENTIFIED BY COMMUNITY - URBAN FOREST CONCERNS (see Attachment - data from Urban Forest Report )
HISTORICAL LANDMARK AT RISK - 1558 Beach Drive
URBAN TREE SURVEY - Weekly Newsletter
INTERESTING ARTICLE - "Oak Bay's finances warrants attention"
INFO SHEET - Timeline of Oak Bay Density (courtesy of resident Stephen Bowker)
INFO SHEET - Protect yourself when BLASTING is happening next door
WEBCAST - 2 easy steps to set up our broadcast reminder
ARTICLE: "Council not listening to residents' concerns".
NewslettersHomeImportant Information for Oak Bay Property Tax Payers
Oak Bay Council’s Annual Budget decisions are usually made at Estimates Committee Meetings in April. However, this year for an unexplained reason and in the midst of the Covid 19 Pandemic, the meetings were held in February and March and identified as Financial Planning Meetings.
Almost six weeks after the March 12, 2020 budget deliberations were concluded and a budget increase of 8.1 % approved by Council, District senior staff recommended keeping all staff on salary as well as hiring more administrative staff. Senior staff also recommended a slight budget reduction of 1.2% as the District’s 2020 Financial Hardship Mitigation contribution. This, if approved by Council, would reduce the 8.1 % increase to 6.9%.
The slight 1.2% budget reduction presumably is because as staff has indicated, “Council is concerned that many residents will not be able to pay this year’s property taxes and this would result in an operational funding shortfall”. And “should revenue decline into subsequent financial periods, the budget gap would need to be addressed through increased taxation or decreased services”.
A Victoria based Taxpayer Association provides the following information in their April 15, 2020 newsletter:
“Most urban centres in Canada have responded to the crisis with budget cuts, layoffs and furloughs including Vancouver (1,500), Surrey (1,900 part-time), Delta (500), Ottawa (4,000 part-time), Calgary (1,200), Quebec City (2,000), Windsor (500), and Edmonton (2,000 non-essential). For a longer list go to Municipal World".
Many businesses, including Westjet and energy companies have laid-off staff. BC Transit has announced service reductions, extensive layoffs (30% to 70% of their workforce) as well as executive pay cuts. All these cuts are to begin this week. BC Ferries, cautious not to lose certified mariners, has furloughed (temporarily laid off ) 500 employees. Business enterprises understand staffing is the #1 business operational expense. They also understand how time-consuming costly, and unproductive it is to make work for stay-at-home staff.
Overview: It is difficult to understand why Oak Bay Council would require the services of so many of the District’s high priced $100,000 + specialized staff. By laying off all not needed staff due to the many service cutbacks, the District would avoid considerable expense. This would go a long way to counteract the funding shortfalls Staff and Council are so concerned about. Temporarily laid-off staff would receive a portion of their salary from the Federal Government thereby placing District staff on a similar footing with the many Oak Bay property taxpayers who have lost their jobs.
Oak Bay Watch Perspective
The last Annual Report (2018) reported the District’s staffing costs as $19.7 million. This is far beyond CRD’s comparably-sized municipalities like Esquimalt $12.5 million , Colwood $6.6 million and Central Saanich $5,9 million (See Appendix #1 for more Detail).
Senior staff have had 6 weeks to prepare reports that attempt to justify retaining all staff at current salaries. The Community has had a week to process and respond to long complex staff reports that provide many questionable reasons for retaining all staff at their current salary levels. This is an example of poor communications, especially now the District has recently hired a highly-paid Communications Specialist. Staff also should not have been be placed in a position self-serving .
While retaining all staff at current salaries can be considered a preferred reaction when staff is asked for their budget reduction preference. This is not acceptable as it does not take into account:
The past two Councils were criticized for inadequately funding our Infrastructure while substantially increasing the budget by unprecedented tax increases. This Council has stated their 2019 /2020 7 % tax increases are budget “catch ups” to correct this under-funding.
However, it seems to us that an analysis is required, explaining in detail, exactly what these substantial past increases were used for. For example, it is known that from 2015 to 2019 over a million dollars was budgeted annually for added administration staff and hundreds of thousands of tax dollars were used for expensive consultant contracts. How have Esquimalt, Colwood and Central Saanich managed to keep their staffing costs much much lower?
Council have failed to realize that the unprecedented tax increases are not one-time costs - they raise the tax base and compound year-after-year- after-year. Substantial budget cuts and efficiencies are the only way to maintain sustainable annual budgets. The interests of the Community must come before the interests of staff.
Although the continuing exceptional property tax increases are a major concern on an annual basis, a Staff report has concentrated taxpayer attention on this year's much smaller, slightly reduced and monthly $20 property tax payments. What is lost however, is the real financial danger of our rapidly expanded administration costs and annual budgets.
In 2012 the District budget was $19.2 million this has increased to an estimated $26.5 million in 2020 – This is over $7 million in property tax increases – an average of almost a million dollars a year.
It is important Council recognizes the primary action taken by local governments and private companies all over Canada. That is, laying off not-needed staff is the most by far pragmatic and best financial option available. And in Oak Bay the fairest and most ethical option for Oak Bay taxpayers.
---------------------------
*******Please help us continue to provide you with information about Community concerns and Council decisions and actions. Oak Bay Watch members also help community groups with their specific development concerns. Donate to Oak Bay Watch - even $5 or $10 dollars provides expenses for door- to- door handouts and helps us maintain our website. Oak Bay Watch is committed to ensuring the Community gets the full range of information on budget, governance and all key development issues – a well-informed opinion cannot be made without this.
(Please use Donate Button at bottom of oakbaywatch.com Home Page)
Keep informed please sign up for our “based on facts” newsletter – bottom of Newsletter Menu Item.
Appendix #1
District of Colwood
Oak Bay Council’s Annual Budget decisions are usually made at Estimates Committee Meetings in April. However, this year for an unexplained reason and in the midst of the Covid 19 Pandemic, the meetings were held in February and March and identified as Financial Planning Meetings.
- March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared COVID 19 as a pandemic;
- March 12, 2020 the District of Oak Bay concluded 2020 budget deliberations pending adoption of the annual Financial Plan Bylaw;
- March 17, 2020 District began lockdown of Municipal Hall and canceled many services and activated the Emergency Operations Centre;
- March 25, 2020 Federal Government passed an earlier announced Emergency Response Benefit Act that provides laid off workers with income for approximately 4 months;
Almost six weeks after the March 12, 2020 budget deliberations were concluded and a budget increase of 8.1 % approved by Council, District senior staff recommended keeping all staff on salary as well as hiring more administrative staff. Senior staff also recommended a slight budget reduction of 1.2% as the District’s 2020 Financial Hardship Mitigation contribution. This, if approved by Council, would reduce the 8.1 % increase to 6.9%.
The slight 1.2% budget reduction presumably is because as staff has indicated, “Council is concerned that many residents will not be able to pay this year’s property taxes and this would result in an operational funding shortfall”. And “should revenue decline into subsequent financial periods, the budget gap would need to be addressed through increased taxation or decreased services”.
A Victoria based Taxpayer Association provides the following information in their April 15, 2020 newsletter:
“Most urban centres in Canada have responded to the crisis with budget cuts, layoffs and furloughs including Vancouver (1,500), Surrey (1,900 part-time), Delta (500), Ottawa (4,000 part-time), Calgary (1,200), Quebec City (2,000), Windsor (500), and Edmonton (2,000 non-essential). For a longer list go to Municipal World".
Many businesses, including Westjet and energy companies have laid-off staff. BC Transit has announced service reductions, extensive layoffs (30% to 70% of their workforce) as well as executive pay cuts. All these cuts are to begin this week. BC Ferries, cautious not to lose certified mariners, has furloughed (temporarily laid off ) 500 employees. Business enterprises understand staffing is the #1 business operational expense. They also understand how time-consuming costly, and unproductive it is to make work for stay-at-home staff.
Overview: It is difficult to understand why Oak Bay Council would require the services of so many of the District’s high priced $100,000 + specialized staff. By laying off all not needed staff due to the many service cutbacks, the District would avoid considerable expense. This would go a long way to counteract the funding shortfalls Staff and Council are so concerned about. Temporarily laid-off staff would receive a portion of their salary from the Federal Government thereby placing District staff on a similar footing with the many Oak Bay property taxpayers who have lost their jobs.
Oak Bay Watch Perspective
The last Annual Report (2018) reported the District’s staffing costs as $19.7 million. This is far beyond CRD’s comparably-sized municipalities like Esquimalt $12.5 million , Colwood $6.6 million and Central Saanich $5,9 million (See Appendix #1 for more Detail).
Senior staff have had 6 weeks to prepare reports that attempt to justify retaining all staff at current salaries. The Community has had a week to process and respond to long complex staff reports that provide many questionable reasons for retaining all staff at their current salary levels. This is an example of poor communications, especially now the District has recently hired a highly-paid Communications Specialist. Staff also should not have been be placed in a position self-serving .
While retaining all staff at current salaries can be considered a preferred reaction when staff is asked for their budget reduction preference. This is not acceptable as it does not take into account:
- Councils concerns about many residents' inability to pay this year’s very high taxes and the resulting shortfall.
- Council’s commitment to: “Minimizing the long-term cost of operations for Oak Bay”.
- Retaining all staff (to work from home) despite the many service cuts; finding tasks for them to do and adding more expensive administrative staff - while so many other communities are taking advantage of the cost-saving Federal Government Subsidy Benefit.
The past two Councils were criticized for inadequately funding our Infrastructure while substantially increasing the budget by unprecedented tax increases. This Council has stated their 2019 /2020 7 % tax increases are budget “catch ups” to correct this under-funding.
However, it seems to us that an analysis is required, explaining in detail, exactly what these substantial past increases were used for. For example, it is known that from 2015 to 2019 over a million dollars was budgeted annually for added administration staff and hundreds of thousands of tax dollars were used for expensive consultant contracts. How have Esquimalt, Colwood and Central Saanich managed to keep their staffing costs much much lower?
Council have failed to realize that the unprecedented tax increases are not one-time costs - they raise the tax base and compound year-after-year- after-year. Substantial budget cuts and efficiencies are the only way to maintain sustainable annual budgets. The interests of the Community must come before the interests of staff.
Although the continuing exceptional property tax increases are a major concern on an annual basis, a Staff report has concentrated taxpayer attention on this year's much smaller, slightly reduced and monthly $20 property tax payments. What is lost however, is the real financial danger of our rapidly expanded administration costs and annual budgets.
In 2012 the District budget was $19.2 million this has increased to an estimated $26.5 million in 2020 – This is over $7 million in property tax increases – an average of almost a million dollars a year.
It is important Council recognizes the primary action taken by local governments and private companies all over Canada. That is, laying off not-needed staff is the most by far pragmatic and best financial option available. And in Oak Bay the fairest and most ethical option for Oak Bay taxpayers.
---------------------------
*******Please help us continue to provide you with information about Community concerns and Council decisions and actions. Oak Bay Watch members also help community groups with their specific development concerns. Donate to Oak Bay Watch - even $5 or $10 dollars provides expenses for door- to- door handouts and helps us maintain our website. Oak Bay Watch is committed to ensuring the Community gets the full range of information on budget, governance and all key development issues – a well-informed opinion cannot be made without this.
(Please use Donate Button at bottom of oakbaywatch.com Home Page)
Keep informed please sign up for our “based on facts” newsletter – bottom of Newsletter Menu Item.
Appendix #1
District of Colwood
| central_sannich_75k_word.doc |
| esquimalt__75k_word.doc |