Candidate Questions - Darrell Markin
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?
I am not convinced that there is nothing that can be done, especially when we look at the prominent issues. We are being dictated by SAMA who tells us what the assessments are. There is an appeal process but the businesses rarely win their appeals and in turn businesses do not feel any one is listening to their concerns.
The new cap rate model that came out in 2021 proves it doesn’t provide fair taxation. It puts a heavy burden on our small businesses to pay their property taxes.
The results this model has provided have been met with inconsistencies and an inequitable environment. When the financial burden exists, it makes the issue even more pressing.
City Council must be diligent in addressing the need of our business and property tax owners and in a timely fashion.
If the need for a secondary Audit is declined then we must find more effective ways. It is up to our council and community to get to that point. I general the system needs a complete overhaul.
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?
The Saskatoon Governance Committee does indeed play a crucial role in overseeing property tax and assessment. Rather than mirroring Saskatoon’s system, we should take a strategic approach that aligns with the specific needs and priorities of our community right here in Moose Jaw.
We need to make it clear that any changes we implementare not replicating another system that a city may have, butinstead focusing on the system being transparent, fair and efficient in our own tax and assessment process. I am fully committed to exploring best practises from any community in Canada, but also engaging with our local stakeholders, local experts and residents to develop a structure that works for Moose Jaw.
Focusing on what best serves our community, we can implement a well-groomed approach that meets our expectations. The goal is to ensure accountability and equity for all property owners while growing our economic footprint and sustaining our beautiful city of Moose Jaw.
3. a). In your words, What does a Moose Jaw Citizen say when they are asked “What do you think of Moose Jaw?”
Moose Jaw is a community that is recognized throughout Canada we are home to the Snowbirds and The Championship team The Moose Jaw Warriors. Citizens are proud to say I am from Moose Jaw. When you’re in other communities whether be seminars, training or holidays when you say your from Moose Jaw, peoples heads turn and quickly strike up conversations and how they relate to Moose Jaw. Its our goal as leaders and council to sell and market our city and make it attractive to live, work and show that we are open business in our community
b). If you are elected, What will the Citizens be saying in 4 years?
WOW. This city is starting to move forward, we are growing, we are attracting new families and new business are starting to set up shop. This is a progressive city that cares for the community. Saying I’m from Moose Jaw and I love it.
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.
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?
I grew up in Moose Jaw on South Hill. I remember when River Street was vibrant and there was an abundance of thriving businesses. The community was led to believe that that area would be developed with new businesses. All we see today is empty land.
I hear the rumours too; I want the area to grow to its potential and activity on that vacant land to increase, if there are in fact developers that have plans to increase building activity, we should embrace it and see what can come to life in the area. I want to spread the message thatMoose Jaw is open for business and it is a great place to do business.
Our community wants to see and walk the empty area again. If as an elected official, the city can provide assistance that can in turn expand our tax base and investments to see real returns, than I think we can encourage this!
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?
We need to respect the financial limitations that our community is facing but understand the cost to maintain our essential services. Our community deserves a balancedapproach when funding our overall services. When considering levies or tax increases, we need to assess the impact and value they provide to our community.
Levies can be used for specific short term needs without a long term increase in the tax rate. Which can be a more controlled way to fund projects that are important to our residents. It is vital that levies are transparent and justifiedand that all residents can see the results.
I would want to make decisions based on community input and a clear financial assessment so that we can balance the budget while still respecting the needs and resources of our residents.
6. In your own words what is the most important infrastructure projection that needs to be completed.
The location of our city dump, we all can see and understand that we do not have a lot time left. It isimportant that we get the location right.
Where or how would you locate funding for this project?
Two potential ways to find the project would be
1. To introduce a limited time special levy specifically for the city dump. It would provide a clear charge that would be acceptable to our residents. We would have to be clear on how much resources are needed and the timeline to completion.
2. Explore a Public-Private partnership that specializes in waste management and infrastructure development. This could be a partnership where revenues could be shared and certain operational rights be given. This would reduce immediate financial burdens on the citywhile allowing for efficiency and expertise from the private sector. Including the city’s oversight and the city’s standards to waste management.
7. Affordability is a major concern for many residents.
Are you prepared - yes or no - to strive to make Moose Jaw more affordable?
Can you briefly explain how you would accomplish this?
It is a priority to keep Moose Jaw affordable because citizens feel like this is slipping away.
We as a city must continue at looking at budget management and cost cutting measures by prioritizing our essential services and streamlining operations. The city can look for ways to keep its budget lean without compromising service quality. As well as looking for savings that can help reduce the need for tax increases and helping to keep the cost of living down.
Secondly finding affordable housing and encouraging building on this front. Increase our supplement of housing will go a long way. The city must continue to encourageour developers to build.
I feel that we can become more efficient and effective in granting building permits to close. A builder recently described to me his experience with our planning and building division. They submitted a permit at the start of September and recently as of now, the permit has not been granted. To put this in perspective, that is two months that the building can not be started. It is two months longer that the new owners can not move into the house, enjoy Moose Jaw and spend money right here in our city. Finally, it is two months longer that the City of Moose Jaw can not start collecting taxes.
This city must find effective and efficient ways to get the permits in our developers and builders hands, both at commercial and residential building levels.