As Timmins heads into a municipal election, the Chamber of Commerce is bringing some priorities to the table.
The chamber says it has heard from the business community about what it would like to see in councillor and mayoral platforms as more people sign up as candidates. Manager of Policy Nick Stewart says these priorities focus on cost controls and business growth including:
- Careful selection and management of large projects. Given the number of large-scale initiatives in the works and on the horizon, Chamber members urge due diligence at all stages, from selection to planning to implementation. This should also include a full and public assessment of the city’s ability to bear all related costs, and an accounting of what those costs might look like over time.
- Targeted, transparent budgeting. The tight margins involved in municipal budgeting increase the importance of pursuing specific, aggressive low-tax targets. Through firm and publicly accountable decision-making, the city should also seek to replenish reserves and address municipal debt.
- Competitive business tax ratios. At a time where various assessment categories continue to face additional challenges, it is important to maintain tax ratios at current levels to ensure that the sustainability for businesses and to ensure they can continue to support the community in ways big and small.
- Business climate improvement. In recent years, the city has worked with the Timmins Chamber to identify and implement improvements for a number of municipal departments and processes that are relevant to business, such as purchasing, permitting, and the Victor M. Power Airport. That same dedication to continuous improvement should continue in the coming term in order to provide the best possible customer service
Stewart says these priorities outline how the business community would like to see council run over the next four years and beyond.
The chamber says that a respectful, collaborative approach on issues is crucial to make Timmins work.
Nominations for councillor, mayoral and school trustee positions close on July 27th. Click here for a full list of nominations.
This year’s city election will take place on October 22nd.