The Editor:
Re: Coquitlam homeowners face a minimum 3.55% property tax (Jan. 25, 2023)
I read the story setting out the potential 3.55 per cent tax and utility increase.
The story also details the request for increased staffing by 25 new positions, and based on the story, at a minimum cost of $1,500,000.
While utilities costs are generally outside of Coquitlam's ability to impact, the request for an increase of 25 new staff certainly is within Coquitlam Council's ability to impact.
Given the high cost of housing, fuel, food and just about everything else, I suggest that Coquitlam Council not approve funding for any of the new positions.
I believe that the city can very likely get along for another year without any staff increase.
Given that the general economy is slowing and will continue to slow over the rest of this year, the need for any new staffing is questionable.
Municipal governments have a big impact on its citizens and simply adding staff is easy. Making do with what you have is the more difficult course of action. I do not include costs for police and fire services.
I further suggest that the savings from not providing funding for these new staff requests be passed back to taxpayers.
- Rick Conte, Coquitlam
