After a 6.6% budget increase was passed in late November City administration a $52-million shortfall remains. To make up for the $52-million shortfall staff said a further tax increase over a three year period is being considered. The $52-million shortfall spread out over 3 years equals a $10.2 million or 0.48 per cent tax increase in addition to the tax increase previously proposed.

The way various levels of government, including our City approach the stewarding of taxpayers reminds me of the old saying about "being nickled and dimed to death". When Governments nickle and dime by continually making small changes or requests which end up costing the taxpayer multiples millions of nickles and dimes.