Chamber has election issues

The Yorkton Chamber of Commerce wants the public thinking about this fall’s municipal election.

“The Chamber identified five areas of interest to the business community and has made recommendations in each of those areas for the 2016 – 2020 City of Yorkton Council to consider following its election,” read Chamber Executive Director Juanita Polegi at a press conference at the Chamber office Monday.  “The intention is to get people talking about the recommendations so they can discuss these with the candidates for mayor and council”.

The five areas of interest include:  Transparency & Financial Accountability; Business Property Taxes; Yorkton Regional Airport; Business Growth; and Infrastructure Needs.

Polegi said the Chamber has a responsibility to provide information and leadership on key business issues.

 “While the last few years have been an exciting time for the city in terms of its growth in both the business and residential sectors, the Chamber believes more can be done to assist businesses,” she said. “Working on the premise that “when the business community is strong, the entire community is strong”, the Chamber is confident these recommendations will ensure Yorkton will continue to thrive”.

Chamber President Corey Werner said the initiative is not suggesting the current edition of Council has been a bad one.

“I think they’ve done a pretty good job so far,” he said, adding in general terms they have been going in the right direction in many areas.

Polegi said the Chamber’s effort is to help people engage in the upcoming election, and is not about criticizing what the current Council has done.

“This is not a looking back document. It’s a looking forward document,” she said.

The Chamber is including a leaflet regarding the municipal election, and possible issues in its most recent newsletter to members.

“Since 2006, Yorkton has experienced steady growth,” begins the document. “It’s been an exciting time for the city as both its business and residential sectors have grown. The construction and opening of the Sunrise Health & Wellness Centre and the Parkland College’s Trades & Technology Centre, the development of the Skateboard Park and the creation of the drainage system have contributed to the city’s sense of growth and revitalization.  

“Ensuring growth continues is the responsibility of City Council. It is important that the Mayor and Councillors elected in 2016, have the vision and creativity necessary to drive growth for the next four years.  

“It is the Chamber’s responsibility to provide information and leadership on key business issues, and to build support for concepts and practices that will enable Yorkton to continue on its path ‘Where good things happen’!

“This document, prepared by the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, is intended to stimulate discussion prior to, and during, the upcoming municipal election about the issues and opportunities facing the business community.  It offers suggestions for the electorate and candidates to consider and discuss.  Working on the premise that ‘when the business community is strong, the entire community is strong’, the Chamber is confident that these suggestions will ensure Yorkton continues to thrive …

“The 2016 Municipal Election is very important to the future of the City of Yorkton.  As a member of the Business Community, it’s important for you to discuss the Talking Points with potential candidates for Mayor and Council.  More importantly, on October 26 please vote for those candidates you believe understand the needs of business.”

The discussion points being put forward by the Chamber are;

Transparency & Financial Accountability

The City and Council strive to be transparent and accountable. The Chamber recommends the following changes in order to achieve further transparency and accountability:

• Place the City’s Municipal Public Accounts in an easily accessible location on the City’s website.

• Since 2010, the Directors of the Chamber have taken turns attending Council meetings.  The Chamber recommends that the 2016-2020 Councillors engage in discussion and debate during the open portion of Council meetings.  This will demonstrate to the electorate that all points of view have been brought forward and considered.

• The City’s Tendering Protocols have been under the scrutiny of the Chamber as a result of concerns expressed by some of its membership.  The Chamber recommends that the 2016-2020 Council adopt public openings of tenders for major projects. The Chamber further recommends the 2016 – 2020 Council review (and revise as necessary),in consultation with representatives from local construction firms familiar with tendering large projects,  the City’s policies and protocols as they pertain to the tendering and quoting processes for major construction projects.

Business Property Taxes

In the City’s 2016 budget, Commercial Property Taxes were increased by 6.9 per cent while those of Residential Properties were increased by 3.96 per cent.

• While the business community is prepared to pay its share of property taxes, the Chamber recommends that the 2016 -2020 Council endeavour to narrow the gap between the city’s Commercial Property Tax rate and that of Residential Property Taxes.  A heavy tax burden borne by the business community can stifle the growth of existing businesses and inhibit the establishment of new businesses.

• The Chamber recommends that the 2016-2020 Council explore creative means to encourage the growth of the business community.

Yorkton Regional Airport (YQV)

The Yorkton Chamber considers the Airport a great asset to the City and region.  Over the past few years, the City has applied for and received a number of grants through the Community Airport Program. The City has matched this funding which has enabled a number of improvements to the runways and lighting.  There is, however, much to do.

• The Chamber strongly urges the 2016 – 2020 Council to view the Airport as a “stimulant to business”.  The Airport is the city’s link to the world.  It brings business to Yorkton.  CEO’s prefer to fly to visit their business interests.  The Yorkton Regional Airport enables them to do so.

• Based on information the Chamber has gathered from other Airport Authorities, the Airport has potential to generate greater revenue.  The Chamber recommends that the 2016 – 2020 Council appoint a new Airport Authority comprised of business owners representing a broad spectrum of business sectors.  It further recommends that the new Airport Authority be given the authority to hire staff and to investigate additional revenue sources, in line with other Airports.

• The Yorkton Airport Study 2010 outlined a number of short, medium and long term improvements to the Airport.  The Chamber recommends that the new Airport Authority review that Study and begin implementing the Yorkton Airport Development Plan.

Business Growth

Since 2006, the City has experienced growth in its business sector with investment by private investors and the city’s development of the Round House subdivision for light industrial and commercial use.  

• The Chamber recommends that the 2016 – 2020 Council review current policies and where plausible, develop policies that will encourage Business Growth & Retention of existing businesses.  The Chamber also suggests the Council review current policies and where plausible, develop policies that will encourage the establishment of new businesses.

• The Chamber recommends the current Development Levy be evaluated in regard to its impact on business growth.

• The Chamber recommends that the Enterprise Zone Incentive Program (EZIP) be implemented once again and that it be expanded to include the entire business community.

• The Chamber recommends that the 2016 - 2020 Council provide incentives for “first in” on any new areas of development.

 Infrastructure Needs

The City is aware that a major investment in infrastructure replacement is required in the very near future along Broadway Street. This project has been delayed as the Government of Canada has not yet committed to paying 1/3 of the cost.  A new Regional Health Centre is also required.

• The Chamber recommends that the 2016 – 2020 Council be creative in finding ways to ensure the funds are in place to undertake major infrastructure renewal projects including those required on Broadway Street and the construction of a new health centre.  The Chamber recommends Council consult with the business community as it begins this initiative.