Month: April 2015

New Transit Express Routes: Better Options for Getting Around Kingston

I’m very pleased to announce that this coming Monday, we will be launching two new express bus routes in the city. Our first express bus route has been an enormous success, and now we are building on that success with route 601/602 that provides a quick trip from the east end to the downtown, and…
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Target tax rate: 2.5%

This week at our final strategic planning session, council was asked to set a target tax rate increase for the city’s next four annual budgets. After several hours of debate and discussion, council voted to set this tax rate target at 2.5%. I have consistently stated that as a city, we must live within our…
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Making Kingston Stronger by Advancing Eastern Ontario

Last week I was honoured to be elected as the new Chair of the Eastern Ontario Mayor’s Committee for a two year term. This group includes the mayors of Kingston, Belleville, Brockville, Cornwall, Gananoque, Pembroke, Peterborough, Prince Edward County, Quinte West and Smiths Falls. At our first meeting last week, it was clear we had…
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Choosing Our Tax Rate

On Monday April 20, City Council will decide the future tax rate increases to our budgets for 2016 through 2018. The tax rate we choose will determine the extent and pace for introducing new city programs and services, and will guide potential changes in our current operations. Right now the city invests an annual 1% tax increase for…
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Announcing City Council’s 2015-2018 Strategic Priorities

After two nights of planning and discussion, city council has established six priorities to guide us over the next four years. Council has adopted the vision of A Smart and Liveable 21st Century City as the guiding theme for these priorities moving forward. I am also happy to say council has prioritized the expansion of the airport and getting the…
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