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oVERBROOK NEWSLETTER
October
2003
NEWS FROM CITY HALL
Donald Traffic Calming Measures – Update
City staff has experienced some delays in getting a contractor in
place for these works. This is now done. It appears that the
delays may result in some parts of the project getting done in the
spring. Our best information is that the intersection of Lola will
most likely be completed before freeze-up.
Universal Program Review
This review was triggered as a result of the unintended (by this
Council) property tax effects of the system of property
assessments. Council was able to institute a system of rebates,
which at least had the effect of restoring (mostly) what had been
the intended average change in residential property taxes – i.e.
no change in the tax rates on average. It was recognized at that
time, that next year (2004) would pose a more severe challenge if
taxation rates were to be maintained at the current levels.
Council established an ad-hoc committee of Councillors to work
with senior members of the administration to conduct a complete
review of all services that the City provides. All programs and
services within the control of the City’s administration are being
examined, including the Library system and the Ottawa Police
Service. The review will provide information on the effects of
reducing the budget requirements of each program by 5, 10, 15, 20
and 100% (i.e. complete cessation). It is intended that the review
would provide information in terms of service to residents, the
Ottawa 20/20 Growth Management Plans, the City’s legislated
responsibilities, management issues and competitive advantage. In
a corporation of the size and complexity of the City of Ottawa,
this represents a significant undertaking. It appears that it may
not be possible to have the full results of this analysis prior to
the date of the municipal election on November 10. Be that as it
may, it is possible to at least have a ‘mapping’ of all program
and service areas by early to mid-October. This information will
be made available to the public at that time. Be assured that I
will be supportive of making as much information arising out of
this exercise available as soon as possible. This should happen
without consideration to its potential for affecting any
particular electoral contest. The public have a right to this
information as soon as it can reasonably be produced. Currently
much information is already available. I encourage you to consult
the City’s web page for Budget and Universal Program Review
information.
Councillor Jacques Legendre
I can be contacted by telephone at 580-2483, by fax at 580-2523 or
by email at
Jacques.Legendre@ottawa.ca
Visit your web site at
www.rideau-rockcliffe.com
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