The Municipality of North Cowichan included an informative breakdown of expenditures along with the tax notice.
Protection (fire, police, etc.) tops the list at 19.7 per cent of expenditures, as expected. Surprisingly, the next item, parks and recreation, is a close second at 17.3 per cent. This item supports the more than ample number of 50 municipal parks. Included in last year’s proposals was the questionable $75,000 for a fifth dog park in Chemainus.
In my view, basic services such as roads, sewer and water should rank second after protection and be allocated amounts far in excess of funds spent on parks and recreation. I am not advocating an increase in total expenditures, just a more sensible allocation away from dog parks to the basics.
Don Graham
Chemainus