| My Platform |
| Municipal Policies and Governance |
 I have worked
tirelessly on Property Tax Reforms. During 1995/96, I travelled and
spoke on the problems attendant with Market Value Assessment (MVA).
Working with the Ontario Taxpayer Federation, the Tax Equity Alliance, and
the City of Toronto I helped organize a forum in Toronto on Alternatives
to Market Value Assessment. I was invited to speak at Toronto city
hall to share my views.
An assessment system that is reasonably stable would allow property owners to better anticipate their property tax obligation. I have worked on the District Taxation Task Force over the past 12 months. This Task Force identified a number of recommendations. Two of the recommendations, a phase in for a certain level of tax increase, and the re-instatement of development charges for roads are directly under the jurisdiction of the District of Muskoka. The District is in the process of implementing these two recommendations. As an outcome of the Taxation Task force report, an ad hoc action committee is taking ideas from the original report and meeting with Provincial representatives. Their efforts and results will be reported through the Corporate and Emergency Services Committee at the District of Muskoka. As your representative, and property owner, I will continue to address these issues. |