[ad_1]Three of four candidates for Ward 6 of Norfolk County Council are (left to right) Zvonko Horvat, Bill Jukes, and Pam Taylor. SubmittedZvonko HorvatAge: 64Occupation: retiredRelevant experience: 17 years in a senior leadership position, certified municipal management accreditationResidence: Port DoverWhat do you feel is the most pressing issue facing Norfolk County?The biggest challenge our community faces is the rising cost of property taxes. In the last eight years, Norfolk’s total tax increase hit 58 percent, which is almost three times the inflation rate of 23.6 percent during that same time. This trend isn’t sustainable for families and seniors living on fixed incomes. The next council needs to reassess spending and ensure departments are held accountable. We must find innovative ways to align municipal budgets with actual inflation.If the county was awarded $10 million to spend, how would you propose using it?Norfolk County's infrastructure is aging and in need of repair. I would use a $10 million boost to focus on essential infrastructure renewal and asset management to lower long-term costs.Norfolk has one of the highest water rates in the province and more upgrades are needed to the system. What is the solution?The current five independent water systems in Norfolk County aren’t viable long-term. We need to revisit the single-source inter-urban water supply option that was set aside due to insufficient funding from senior governments. While we did receive a significant $16.5 million investment from the provincial government for local upgrades, it's concerning that there hasn’t been any contribution from federal funds allocated specifically for municipal housing infrastructure-what's our local MP doing about this? All levels of government should be involved in addressing our infrastructure needs.Bill JukesAge: 58Occupation: Self-employed, general contractorRelevant experience: Served as president of my student association in university, Norfolk Condominium Board, past president of my firefighters association.Residence: Port DoverWhat do you feel is the most pressing issue facing Norfolk County?I believe tax rates are currently the biggest issue for Norfolk County. We've seen a 22.5 percent rise over the last five years largely due to upgrades in water and wastewater services. Additionally, programs like the province-mandated garbage collection system came without funding support for implementation here in Norfolk. Going forward, we’ll need both provincial and federal assistance just to comply with these standards and programs; this year we only received $16 million out of a potential $28.5 million by year-end 2025-all directed toward upgrading Port Dover’s wastewater treatment facility.If the county was awarded $10 million to spend, as mayor, how would you propose using it?Looking at our ten-year capital plan, nearly $500 million will be required over that period just for water and wastewater improvements across all of Norfolk County. Securing provincial and federal funding will be critical if we want these projects done within ten years while minimizing already increasing taxes and water rates.If Norfolk County was awarded $10 million to spend, I'd focus it on water and wastewater enhancements because this money could significantly reduce base rates related to average water bills-potentially preventing increases altogether while even offering relief regarding capital projects themselves. Plus, such direct funding would lessen reliance on tax dollars or borrowing more money for these projects.Norfolk has one of the highest water rates in the province and more upgrades are needed to the system. What’s your solution?Simply put-the answer lies in funding from various sources including provincial aid or otherwise. While we've established a user-pay system for water and wastewater services here at Norfolk County-it still essentially acts like a tax at its core! Reducing base rates or consumption fees will require direct contributions through surplus funds from other capital initiatives or loans taken out or financial support from provincial sources as well! But keep in mind-we already have several other capital projects needing attention too; diverting funds away will cause issues elsewhere making things worse leading ultimately back towards raising taxes!Pamela TaylorOccupation: Commercial construction, addictions support.Relevant experience: My corporate career taught me how to collaborate - work with people towards common goals.Residence: Port DoverWhat do you feel is the most pressing issue facing Norfolk County?There's an urgent need for strategy along with action steps aimed at protecting our natural resources while enhancing competitive advantages linked with agribusinesses relating closely surrounding food production processes.. we truly require a food terminal! There's also an immediate necessity regarding tourism-related activities plus commercial opportunities stemming from automotive manufacturing sectors; not forgetting existing alongside possible energy production sites found near Nanticoke Industrial Park focused primarily around oil refining operations too!When talking about steelmaking-it's critical that communities unite-from municipalities all levels up through provinces finally reaching federally-to protect jobs at Stelco since they face struggles arising mostly because foreign imports come flooding into markets leading against U. S tariffs impacting growth negatively compounded further upon transitioning green costs encountered throughout environmental impacts resulting alongside proposals designed aiming towards creating incompatible living spaces accommodating roughly forty thousand individuals occupying land zoned strictly meant solely designated industrial purposes located directly inside aforementioned Nanticoke Industrial area!If The county were given ten million dollars what ideas might come forward?To initiate preliminary discussions I’d throw out concepts such as establishing either-a food terminal distribution facility somewhere around Delhi area; expanding Port Rowan Harbour significantly enough so income-generating finger docks can fit comfortably; purchasing properties like mini putt locations positioned nearby creating fresh public parks available town-wide access points; setting up centralized temporary shelters capable assisting homeless folks supported additionally via mental health services built close outside Simcoe ; fostering infrastructure developments around harbor marinas where destination restaurants/bistro establishments could thrive based likewise rejuvenating Lynnwood site back situated within downtown district whilst promoting heritage sites namely Backus Mill property among many additional suggestions tailored exclusively reflecting community priorities based engagement sessions created collaboratively throughout residents involved process.Norfork’s got some pretty steepest drinking waters prices across provinces requiring even more fixes than usual right now so what could potentially solve those problems?Last June I put forth motion calling capping both sewer & water charges along property taxation levels beneath inflation benchmarks achieved henceforth binding referendums permitting council ruling preventing hikes above Consumer Price Index value unless residents approved first before hand ! Through tighter oversight checks placed upon housing development applications thus delaying phases until budget constraints eased allowing gradual implementations realized over longer term periods likely result boosting revenue generated through enhanced industrial/commercial activities spread county-wide paving way necessary investments made servicing utilities infrastructures firmly rooted dependable service provisions citizens rely heavily upon daily basis.Editor’s note : Candidate Ray Hunter didn’t respond survey request.[ad_2]Source link
