2022 Platform for Upper and Lower level of local government
The regional councilor is a unique role that sits at both tiers of local government. This includes both the Township of the Lake of Bays (lower level) as well as the District of Muskoka (upper level). Each of these roles have different responsibilities.
Lake of Bays
Lake of Bays is the lower tiered government and is primarily focused on local roads, heritage, parks, community centres, fire and libraries. Charles' goal is to set up a ten year fund to bring all Township of Lake of Bays roads up to the standards required for year round maintenance. At the moment many full time residences and first responders live on township owned road that lack year round maintenance. At the moment there is no plan to equalize this disparity. All rate payers pay the same property tax yet only some get year round maintenance and others do not. How is this fair? The solution will have both a capital and operational impact on the finances of the township. Capital will need to be invested in these seasonal roads to provide turnarounds, culverts and widening activities to support winter maintenance, then the additional operational cost to provide the service. Charles propose to set up a ten year plan to bring all township owned roads up to the standards required for year round maintenance. This will equalize the services to all rate payers, improve access for first responders and allow essential workers to get to work.
District of Muskoka
The District of Muskoka is the upper tier government and primarily provides roads, waste management, policing, municipal water / sanitary, subsidized housing, paramedics and long term care. There is considerable overlap between the District of Muskoka and the Township of the Lake of Bays, both maintain roads, storm systems, planning, mapping (GIS) permitting etc. This creates a lot of overhead that can be eliminated by moving to a single tier government. In 2000 the District of Muskoka commissioned the Rice Report to look into creating a single tier government. The conclusion of this report (Twenty years ago) was the recommended reduction from 50 elected officials (for 72 positions, some dual roles) to 17 elected officials. The resulting benefit, including staffing optimization, would be a savings of $4,5 million per year in 2000 or most likely $10 million per year today. This is a sizable savings to the ratepayers of Muskoka. Lets move from 72 elected positions to 17 and better hold your councilor to account for their actions.