Understand the full picture before adding spending

Before approving significant new spending, I would ask for a consolidated forecast showing operating expenses, existing capital commitments, debt payments, infrastructure replacement needs and anticipated tax, utility and fee increases.

Residents deserve to understand how today’s decisions will affect their costs over the coming years.

I would scrutinize recurring expenses, staffing proposals and cost overruns, and ask whether resources could be used more effectively. Any proposed increase should come with a clear explanation of the need, alternatives and expected benefit.

Maintain the infrastructure we already depend on

Roads, drainage, water and sewer systems, public buildings and recreation facilities need ongoing maintenance and eventual replacement.

I would prioritize maintaining essential assets and addressing problems before they become larger failures. That means understanding their condition, identifying the most urgent work and establishing a realistic schedule for funding it.

Council should clearly distinguish between maintaining existing services, expanding capacity for growth and adding new amenities. Each creates different obligations, and residents should be able to see those differences in the budget.

I also believe we should protect investments taxpayers have already made. Functioning infrastructure should be assessed for its condition and usefulness before Council commits money to removing or replacing it.

Consider the full lifetime cost

A construction budget is only the beginning. Facilities and infrastructure also require staffing, energy, maintenance, repairs and eventual replacement. Borrowing adds interest and debt payments.

Before supporting a major investment, I would ask:

• What problem will it solve, and how urgent is that problem?
• Are there practical alternatives or opportunities to adjust the scope?
• What will it cost to build, operate, maintain and replace?
• Who will pay, and how will it affect future household costs?
• What are the consequences of delaying it?
• How will we know whether it delivered the promised benefit?

These questions help worthwhile projects move forward on a sound financial footing.

Match growth with infrastructure

Housing and population growth need to be coordinated with water, sewer, transportation, parks and emergency-service capacity.

I would work to ensure growth contributes its fair share toward the infrastructure it requires. Council should consider both the revenue development brings and the ongoing costs of serving it.

Planning needs to look ahead 10, 20 and 30 years, while accounting for the cumulative effects of development across neighbourhoods.

Pursue funding and borrow carefully

I would support actively pursuing provincial and federal grants and suitable partnerships. Funding opportunities should be evaluated alongside any municipal contribution and future operating obligations.

Borrowing can help fund infrastructure that serves residents for decades. It needs a clear purpose, an affordable repayment plan and careful consideration of Saanich’s other commitments.

For major capital projects, I support giving residents a direct voice through a referendum. Project scope, financing, alternatives and long-term costs should be explained clearly before residents are asked to decide.

Protect services and demonstrate value

Residents rely on police, fire protection, roads, utilities, parks and recreation. I would seek efficiencies while considering how changes affect service quality, accessibility and safety.

Responsible budgeting also means examining the timing and scope of new projects alongside existing maintenance needs. Council needs to be clear about what takes priority and why.

I would support understandable budgets and regular public reporting on project costs, timelines, changes and results. Residents should be able to see what their money delivered.

How this connects to my priorities

Families First means considering the combined impact of municipal costs on household budgets. Community Driven means explaining choices and giving residents a meaningful voice. Protect What Makes Saanich Home means maintaining the infrastructure and services that support our neighbourhoods. Responsible Leadership means planning ahead, asking difficult questions and being accountable for public money.