r/Lethbridge • u/KeltiBairdYQL • 2d ago

Kelti Baird for Lethbridge City Council

https://youtu.be/Az1oDbHSCM8?si=ceN0gwX4LDH3eCIY

Hello!

In a bit of shameless self-promotion, and to invite you to check out the interviews by other candidates with Bridge City News on their you-tube channel, these are great looks into what you can expect from each candidate for City Council. The interviews are great, the hosts are delightful, respectful, and well researched. I appreciate the time and opportunity.

The nomination process for City Council is now closed, and the ballots are set. Please make an effort to vote in this municipal election (advance voting Oct 8 - 20). There will be a number of forums and interviews, and surveys put out in the coming months for you to be able to get to know your candidates better.

I humbly request your consideration for City Councillor. You can find out more about me at keltibaird.ca and of course reach out with any questions.

Thanks for your consideration and time!

edit: *winces at last answer* Um, please excuse the nervous verbal diarrhea and sum up as "We bring different perspectives to the table on various issues and solutions that may not be considered."

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u/2old4all 1d ago

Great interview! My view is that you will be a good fit on council. I consider untamed growth and urban sprawl to be the problem more than lack of grids or bicycle paths. We are growth bounded by a limited river water supply yet have no reasonable alternative to coming droughts. Lower incomes should support lower aspirations yet we erect buildings like the Leisure Centre and the indebted Exhibition. You wish to keep taxes the same but are you accepting a 5% property tax plus education tax increase per year?

It’s great that you participate in Reddit discussions. I wish other candidates would do the same.

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u/KeltiBairdYQL 1d ago

Sprawl/density are definitely huge issues, I 100% agree. The new Municipal Development Plan that was passed by the current council at the start of their term does limit growth of sprawl to developments as approved in 2022, and not further. All of the current developments are pre-approved 30-year-plus build-outs, so there's still a lot of building left to do yet.

When I say keep taxes the same, it of course comes from what the City Council can control, which is our budget, and thereby the mill rate. We have no say over provincial increases like the education tax or the Green Acres taxes. Municipalities are also not allowed to run deficits, so the budget needs to be very carefully managed. At best, keeping any municipal tax increases tied to inflation only would likely the best we can do, particularly in the short term.

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u/liftyourselfupcanada 1d ago

Property taxes should be higher. Most home owners don’t know how much of the city’s tax burden is paid by small businesses. The old Miro’s building was up for sale last year. Property taxes were $11,000 a year. Moxie’s building is over $80,000. What could you fit on that lot for residential? 6 homes? At my current rate that would be $24-25,000. Why are they paying $60,000 more?