Candidate Questions - Kim Robinson

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 have always been a proponent in examining the way SAMA has performed their contracted obligations to our city. In council, after hearing that the assessments are perennially late, often with large variances and then having our own staff review the results for glaring errors, I asked why do we keep accepting this performance? Since the secondary audit was for procedural and policy adherence, I don’t think it would have pointed to any reasons for the inconsistent and arguably poor assessments. I am prepared to have a thorough review of how we are having our assessments performed, I believe our own assessment department may be the answer. I feel it is crucial for our residents to have confidence in the assessment process. I would advocate for an assessment model that is transparent, consistent, and reflects true market value while accounting for several different property types and uses.

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 would look at implementing a Governance Committee to provide oversight on governance matters, including our financial operations, budgeting process and the assessment process. I would return our Board of Revision to a local entity as it was previously.

3. a). In your words, What does a Moose Jaw Citizen say when they are asked “What do you think of Moose Jaw?”

I believe that most Moose Javians would say they live here for the people, camaraderie, and unique charm but escalating housing and cost of living coupled with failing infrastructure, gentrification and increase in crime are making things less appealing.

b). If you are elected, what will the Citizens be saying in 4 years?

If I am elected, I believe people will have a sense of renewal and community spirit in less than 4 years. They will say how they like our improved recreational amenities and how they feel trust in our city leadership, and how they feel engaged in their community. Moose Jaw will feel like a dynamic, well-maintained city with an affordable and caring environment.

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?

This type of project will normally support itself through private investment. I would look at tax incentives after carefully considering reports and projections of Return on Investment (ROI) and Risk Management. This would include expectations and estimates on tax revenue and overall economic activity the hotel will generate.

I would not be opposed to a city owned parkade; however, it would be more supportive of our Events Centre than a new hotel. Especially if this parkade was a planned revenue generator, with commercial shop and store spaces on ground floor. Again, it would be considered through ROI and revenue projections and would require much community engagement.

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 favor one tax rate rather than levies however I do recognize the value of levies in funding specific initiatives but feel these levies, while starting out as temporary, often end up hanging around much longer than initially planned.

Can you explain your reasoning?

While levies offer targeted ways to fund specific services, they increase tax complexity and administrative involvement. When our residents see tax and levy increases the cumulative burden can feel excessive. Further, levies often tax disproportionately and tax without levies provides more transparency, fairness, and efficiency.

6. In your own words what is the most important infrastructure projection that needs to be completed.

I believe the Crescentview Lift Station, once completed, would remove a lot of uncertainty and concern. Followed closely by the viaduct and completion of the cast iron. We also need a workable plan to improve our roads, this is of immediate concern. But I will leave Crescentview as my most important.

Where or how would you locate funding for this project?

I have said it in open council before, but I say again, we need to engage our MPs and MLAs, we have local representatives that can have powerful voices in advocating for funding at provincial and federal levels. We need to quantify the economic and social impact of these projects and push hard; show the potential job creation and economic boon our infrastructure projects could be. We need to capitalize on all grant applications and think outside the box. I recently read about a community that launched a local lottery to enhance key public projects like infrastructure upgrades, park development, or recreational facilities, now I am not saying that a lottery is the answer but creative thinking like that is.

7. Affordability is a major concern for many residents.

Are you prepared - yes or no - to strive to make Moose Jaw more affordable?

100% Yes

Can you briefly explain how you would accomplish this?

Again, I believe as an elected official I am tasked with creative thinking and openness to any ideas. I think several ideas could help to make our community more affordable. incentives for developers to include affordable housing units, permit more accessory dwellings like carriage houses, more safe sidewalks to reduce transportation costs, support small business, job training education, and look at affordable transit options.