Re: “Hefty bus-tax hike eyed for homeowners,” Sept. 14.
Mayor Frank Leonard of Saanich is concerned about the proposed double-digit tax increase proposed by B.C. Transit, and he suggests that efficiencies would result from a regionally operated transit system. He is right.
While the mayor is worrying about the level of municipal taxation, I suggest he expand his area of concern to include the cost of other regional municipal services.
What about the economies associated with a single police force rather than having seven police chiefs in the region? How about considering one fire and emergency-response system instead of 13? How much money would that save? What about the savings involved in having one city hall rather than 13? What about the saving to everyone if there were one set of zoning bylaws and one set of building standards in the region instead of 13?
While we are talking about it, how much money would we save the local taxpayers if we halted the evolution the Capital Regional District into a fourth level of government?
A good start, Mayor Leonard. Now it is time to seriously look at amalgamation of the municipalities in the capital region.
Earle Anthony
Oak Bay
