Budget: “a slap” for the related Cities

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Philippe Roy

Matthew Payen

Thursday, 11 January, 2018 00:00

UPDATE
Thursday, 11 January, 2018 00:20

Look at this article

The cities related to Montreal say they are “shocked and disappointed” while the budget of the administration Plant requires them to greatly increase the amount they pay to the city.

“This is a slap in the face,” says Philippe Roy, mayor of Mont-Royal. It was learned yesterday morning that his City will suffer an increase of 9.8% in its contribution to the financing of the spending of the agglomeration.

“In 12 years of municipal politics, I have never seen such an increase and it has not even been notified,” said Mr. Roy.

On average, the 15 related municipalities will be required to pay amounts to 5.3 % higher. Only Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue will be spared with a decrease of 7.4 %.

Forecasts exceeded

Mont-Royal scoop to the highest increase, of nearly$ 4.5 Million, or 5% of the budget of the municipality. “It is my biggest expense, so it all has to be redone and one is a few days from the submission of our budget,” added Mr Roy. We had projected an increase of around 2 % since Ms. Plant spoke of an increase in inflation. “

The surprise is the same on the side of Montréal-Ouest, an increase of 9 %. “I had budgeted on an increase of around 3% and I thought that was conservative, but it exceeds many of our expectations,” laments the mayor Beny Masella.

According to Mr. Masella, who is also the president of the Association of suburban municipalities, it is lack of understanding that prevails in the related cities. “I’ve spoken with several mayors, we are shocked and disappointed,” he said. We don’t know what justifies the increase, and, once again, it is the citizens that will be hurt. “

When asked about the reasons for this increase, the office of the mayor, we briefly replied that ” these quotas are tied to spending, such as fire services, police or infrastructure “.