Sometimes it is required to set the record straight and speak up. I thank Ms. Serup for the good intention and praising me for holding the line on spending. Other comments got a bit distorted because she sent a fax to the paper and through the scanning and following printing process two sentences left a wrong perception.

The paper apologized, which is very much appreciated. For the record, I support a performance arts center. Financing however remains a problem and should not cause an increase in taxes. However, I believe there is a solution.

I support, and have initiated a motion, to limit any tax increase to the cost of living, which was 1.5 per cent last year. It would force administration to develop a tight budget which can be debated at budget deliberation. Balancing user fees is a tricky business and there is the danger that they may be too high for one application and too low for another. Communication with mayor and council is essential because feedback will help to point to wrong decisions.

I follow up with some general comments: we are all in this together. We all like Prince George and want to make it a better place than it is. It is not about one or two groups and it is not about the union, the employers, the businesses, organizations, churches, societies, etc. alone. It has to be a holistic approach when it comes to taxes and fees, etc. as city revenue. With the taxpayer as a shareholder of the city and city hall managing the investment, it is normal the shareholder wants the best bang for the buck. It means the shareholder, taxpayer, is expecting a lean (not mean), efficient and financially-prudent operation that can deliver services that are needed as a return of the investment.

Here it becomes difficult, finding the right equilibrium between taxes and services, as well as long-time investments, like capital projects, etc. Mayor and council, as the board of the operation, are setting the direction, approving the budget (or not) and setting the tax levy.

I believe we can budget tighter and can be even more efficient than we are. It is far too easy to go to the taxpayer, the investor, and ask, no, order, paying more taxes. Yes, everything costs more over time, but the cycle of high tax increases above the cost of living has to stop.

Albert Koehler

P.G. city councillor