Watson pledges to keep tax increases below two per cent
Posted Sep 19, 2014 04:16:28 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA — Finances were the focus of a noon-hour Jim Watson campaign event, Friday.
Jim Watson says if he’s re-elected as mayor this October, the City would keep property tax increases below two per cent.
Watson says the City needs more income as it continues to grow, but that his proposal strikes the right balance.
“We’re a growing city, and we’re trying to be respectful of those people who are on fixed budgets,” said Watson.
Some candidates for mayor and city council have pledges tax freezes or cuts, but Watson sounded a note of caution.
“I think we have to be very careful of those people who go out and promise tax relief, or tax cuts, or tax freezes, without a serious plan on how to pay for those services,” said Watson.
“I’m not trying to sugarcoat it for the public,” Watson told reporters.
Watson also pledged to undertake a search for savings at City Hall — including energy retrofits for buildings and vehicles, reviewing all space owned and leased by the City, and selling surplus properties.
Some observers consider a Watson win a fait accompli; the mayor says he takes the campaign seriously.
“Otherwise, I would simply put my campaign on cruise control,” said Watson. “I’m not doing that.”
Election day is Oct. 27.
