Candidate Questions - Zac Monchamp
1. In 2023, for several reasons, a secondary audit was requested of SAMA. SAMA declined this request. Currently the City and council have chosen to do nothing in regards to this issue.
What are you prepared to do?
I believe this issue was mishandled and shouldn't have been designated to the city manager to handle. I believe council should have voted in an official capacity and had the Mayor write letters to SAMA, the provincial auditor and the provincial minister requesting the audit and such. It was handled poorly and allowed for the situation to slip through the cracks. If elected I would work with council to see that the Mayor writes that letter and the second audit is followed up on in a timely manner.
2. Saskatoon has a Governance Committee which oversees their property tax/assessment department, and theirs far exceeds ours. Are you prepared to implement the changes needed in order to mirror/reflect theirs? Or something better?
The Governance Committee system seems like a good idea for a growing city like Moose Jaw. I would be most interested in seeing it explored and implemented if possible, as it would streamline the process of council handling issues competently and quickly. I look forward to working with the other councillors on this given the chance.
3. a). In your words, What does a Moose Jaw Citizen say when they are asked “What do you think of Moose Jaw?”
A city that feels like a small town.
b). If you are elected, What will the Citizens be saying in 4 years?
A city that's growing but it still has that small town charm.
4. Right now there is a lot of talk about a proposed hotel on the zero block of River Street West. Rumours which include the potential building of a parkade by the City in the area.
As a resident of Moose Jaw, I feel like if there was demand for another hotel downtown, we'd see more action on it getting done, instead we see them getting built elsewhere in the city. I've seen and heard a lot of issues about parking at and near the event center during popular events. I'd be more interested in pursuing more parking and/or better transit service.
As for the city funding towards any project, it would be a lower priority to myself as there are more pressing and expensive issues facing the city. I would at the minimum require any project would pay for itself within a reasonable timeframe, be self sustaining and pay dividends to the city.
5. Are you in favour of more or less funding by the way of levies? Or do you favour finding more funding by the way of tax increases?
Can you explain your reasoning?
I'm for financial responsibility, but I fully understand that public services are done for the public good. The price of the ticket has to be reasonable but it has to be representative of the value delivered. As such not everything with a levy can go up, but they have to be balanced against their cost. Government isn't a for profit business and it should be done with an eye towards breaking even. Where the levies can't break even then they have to be made up for with tax revenue.
It's important to remember that things cost money but those dollars should be focused on the important things first, like the pipes, sidewalks, roads and bridges, etc first. I can't promise to lower taxes but I can promise to try and limit any and all increases, if elected.
6. In your own words what is the most important infrastructure projection that needs to be completed.
Where or how would you locate funding for this project?
The most pressing infrastructure projects are the ones dealing with the pipes. People need water to live and need functional sewers to be healthy. These needs are pressing and from what I've heard have been left to rot to near failure by previous councils.
I will push to chase after all of the government funding grants available, both provincial and federal. Then looking at what is necessary for the city to fund, and where funds can be freed up from. If there's still a funding shortfall, then I would ask residents what balance of tax vs debt they would prefer. Longer it takes to pay back the lower the initial tax hit but a longer ongoing cost for the city coffers. Where possible I'd like to see the city create an investment fund, for investing locally and the returns on the fund be put into infrastructure projects and maintenance going forward. This would only be pursued assuming affordability.
7. Affordability is a major concern for many residents.
Are you prepared - yes or no - to strive to make Moose Jaw more affordable?
Can you briefly explain how you would accomplish this?
Affordability is a huge issue for all Moose Javians, including myself and my own family. I will pursue projects and policies that see Moose Jaw grow, one such area is low income housing. The more people who have a place to live in Moose Jaw, the more people in the local economy, the more taxes and levies that are paid. This has knock on effects of increasing economic opportunities and development, more jobs, more spending and more opportunities.
An extra and very important benefit is that there will be more rate payers in Moose Jaw and that means any tax increases will be less for all residents.