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CAO Reveals High Debt Level

Staff picture from city website

Niagara Falls CAO spoke of savings under amalgamation, and the many reports done, but ignored

Another snapshot of what the current government structure in Niagara is costing taxpayers, this time from Niagara Falls Chief Administrative Officer.

Jason Burgess revealed to council last night the ratio of politicians and government workers is higher in Niagara than Toronto, or Hamilton, also London or Norfolk County.

He then pointed to what taxpayers owe.  "Niagara Region, when you combine the region and all the municipalities, has over $2,100 in debt per person.  That doesn't sound like much for a municipal government, but when you compare to Hamilton, they have $600.  Windsor, just under $500."

He repeated there was a report showing this in 2000, but nothing was done about it.

He also showed, as an example, the city pays the region millions to maintain some city roads, when the city could do it for much less.

He included how much they know can be saved.  "If you took $14-million a year in savings, and spread that over 10-years, with a little bit of inflationary hit, you can get to $150-million in savings over 10-years.  That fixes our roads, it replaces our assets without asking the taxpayer for a single dollar."

He wonders why people say no data has been shown, when there have been many reports over the last few decades.
 

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