Financial responsibility

I have championed the Finance and Revenue Committee since its inception, serving as its Council Liaison and consistently advocating for a meaningful role for its experienced community members in the District’s financial decision-making.

I have also been consistent about the Committee’s mandated role: to provide independent financial advice and recommendations to Council - not to staff. Staff then bring matters forward to Council for consideration and decision. I will continue to advocate for this proper order of accountability and for the Committee’s advice to be meaningfully brought forward to Council.

This means scrutinizing major capital expenditures and ongoing operating costs, including overhead, staffing and administrative structures; reviewing fees and charges; and participating meaningfully in the District’s long-term financial planning. It also means pursuing opportunities to streamline operations, improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary costs, including those identified in the Innova Report.

At the same time, municipalities are increasingly being asked to absorb responsibilities and costs from senior levels of government. This downloading makes disciplined financial management even more important. We need to be increasingly frugal with every taxpayer dollar while maintaining the services and infrastructure our community depends on.

I will also support efforts to ensure West Vancouver residents receive a fair and equitable financial arrangement for the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant.