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Councillor’s Corner Sustainable Municipal Taxes and Water Rates by Michelle Graham Let’s talk taxes and water rates with the election looming. All municipalities need to recognize that there is a difference between sustainable taxation and endless taxation. We live in a finite world with finite land, finite resources, finite infrastructure capacity and finite household incomes. It is unrealistic to assume that municipal taxation and water rates can continue increasing indefinitely without eventually placing an unsustainable burden on residents. The objective should not simply be to collect more revenue each year. The objective should be to provide reliable services while maintaining stable and predictable tax and water rates
that residents and businesses can afford. This requires council and staff to control costs, prioritize essential services, efficiently manage infrastructure and ensure that new development pays its appropriate share of the costs it creates. Growth should not and does not automatically mean that existing taxpayers inherit the financial responsibility for expanding roads, water/wastewater systems, recreation facilities and other infrastructure required to service that growth. A responsible municipality, both staff and council, should establish a long-term goal of stable tax and water rates, disciplined spending, and infrastructure decisions based on actual need, not on wants. This is not an impossibility, and you witnessed it in MCE in the past four years. We can attend to 1. what the infrastructure needs are, 2. what we can afford this year with the current tax base, and 3. what we can hold off on as it is not an immediate need.
Come join us for the 2026-27 season Fully renovated and accessible lounge ready to welcome you.
Check out our: Learn to Curl Lessons/League Leagues for all curling abilities Corporate Business Rentals Available
Renovated Lounge for Banquets,Weddings and other events Lounge now available year-round
Registration opens September 1st. Open House is October 6, 7 and 8th 7:00 – 9:00 pm. League play starts October 3rd.
Photo by Kelly Taylor
For more information visit our website at stthomascurlingclub.com or email curling@stthomascurlingclub.com
To advertise here, please contact Geoff@villagerpublications.com
Port Stanley Villager • September 2026 • Page 5
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