Mar 2010

By Earl Porter, Portage la Prairie
Updated 2 months ago

Our city’s taxes are going up a whopping 7.5% or $650,000 this year. That is the largest one-year tax increase in recent history.

The shortfall next year after operating the multiplex for a full year to the tune of $1.7 million will make this year’s increase pale in comparison, not to mention any budget overruns which are inevitable. This council has not been upfront with the taxpayers of Portage la Prairie regarding costs, and I’m afraid we are all in for a big shock when the smoke clears.

The multiplex is a beautiful building and one future generations will enjoy, but it hasn’t addressed the ice shortage problem that exists in the city. The pool is simply an indoor Splash Island and is inadequate for our swim club, which, I might add, is the largest financial supporter of a pool they can use. And last, how will the Portage Terriers survive after losing $90,000 in profit from the concession they ran with volunteers in the old rink.

These are questions city council should have addressed before construction started, but their shortsightedness has failed these user groups.

A lot of taxpayers are upset, even angry with the situation, but the building is up, it is what it is, it is where it is, and we will make the best of it.

Thanks for the budget speech, Coun. Quinn. I believe this confirms council’s level of integrity.

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