Candidate Questions - Heather Eby
1 In 2023, for several reasons, a secondary audit was requested of SAMA. SAMA declined this request. Currently the City and council have chosen to do nothing in regards to this issue.
What are you prepared to do?
This is an ongoing concern for many taxpayers and I am willing to look at this again. Keeping in mind that no matter who we use for assessing property they will have to follow the same, legislated manual and policies as are currently followed. I do think that we could have conversations with cities that are doing things differently and see how we could potentially adapt that to Moose Jaw. In the end we need to have a system that people are confident in, taxpayers and Council included. However it’s unlikely any assessing agency will ever be able to make 100% of people happy 100% of the time. And finally - Property Assessment is a legislated process, not a political one.
2. Saskatoon has a Governance Committee which oversees their property tax/assessment department, and theirs far exceeds ours. Are you prepared to implement the changes needed in order to mirror/reflect theirs? Or something better?
I’m not familiar with Saskatoon’s operations so I have no idea if they “far exceed ours” or not. But as with my previous answer, Yes, I am always willing to look at what others are doing and change what we are doing if it makes sense for Moose Jaw. Moose Jaw is different in many, many ways though so it’s not always possible to do things exactly the same here as somewhere else but looking at what others are doing can help inform any change we may decide to make.
3. a). In your words, What does a Moose Jaw Citizen say when they are asked “What do you think of Moose Jaw?”
People like the size of our city and most people are happy to be living here. Of course some people complain about streets and roads, but Council has been making budget decisions to try to address those areas in a more methodical way. Citizens are generally happy with the amenities we have here such as parks and recreational facilities. And although things have changed in the past few years I believe the average citizen feels our city is generally safe. Especially in comparison to many others even in our own province.
b). If you are elected, What will the Citizens be saying in 4 years?
Citizens will really see the impact of 13 years of Infrastructure Renewal by that point. Many of the areas that have been done already were the most problematic so now we can start getting into other neighborhoods and really make a noticeable difference. I also believe Moose Jaw is on the cusp of some strong economic growth and in 4 years that will be evident.
4. Right now there is a lot of talk about a proposed hotel on the zero block of River Street West. Rumours which include the potential building of a parkade by the City in the area.
To my knowledge that is just that – a Rumor (the parkade).
The question is as an elected official how much City money - if any - are you prepared to spend either directly or indirectly in an effort to see the proposed hotel development get off the ground?
Any hotel would be a private development and the city doesn’t invest in private developments. If there are zoning requirements or policy changes those things are always possibilities if they meet the criteria required. It would be my intent to support any feasible business development as much as possible within the realm of Councils mandate.
5. Are you in favour of more or less funding by the way of levies? Or do you favour finding more funding by the way of tax increases?
I like levies in the way that they are dedicated funding for things like Cast Iron or Parks and Rec, or when we had the Hospital Levy. I’m not opposed to them but also don’t think we can endlessly be tacking on new levies.
6. In your own words what is the most important infrastructure projection that needs to be completed.
Crescent View Lift Station. Hands down.
Where or how would you locate funding for this project?
We need to continue to strongly pursue Federal and Provincial funding, however we were unsuccessful the first time around so this is going to be an uphill battle. Without that funding stream we will be in a hard spot to fund this critical replacement. It will take the shifting of capital funding from other large projects, some of which are also critical, to get this project done. There will be some project cuts that need to be made.
7. Affordability is a major concern for many residents.
Are you prepared - yes or no - to strive to make Moose Jaw more affordable?
Yes of course!
Can you briefly explain how you would accomplish this?
In 2024 Council approved the hiring of a professional Grant Writer. That person has already secured a number of large and small grants, with others pending, that ultimately make programs and projects more affordable for everyone. I am committed to continuing to think outside the box and supporting my colleagues to do the same when looking at affordability measures.