Yorkton will elect a new mayor Monday, Nov. 9. There are two candidates vying for the seat and Yorkton This Week sent a series of question to both and their answers are below.
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Question #1: Like most cities, Yorkton has an infrastructure deficit. Where do you believe this city should focus dollars on improvements?
Mitch Hippsley
Roads will always be a high priority and although, we will never get it 100 percent completed, they must be addressed every year and do whatever the budget allows. However, what lies beneath them is even more the issue. Water & sewage lines are over a hundred years old and failing in bigger numbers each year. It鈥檚 estimated that it would be a 60 million dollar fix. The city will never afford this amount. Chop and repair is the best we can do.
Parks & Recreation is a very high priority for me. We must continue to give people reasons to move & stay here. Families are the key to our city and playgrounds, spray parks, hockey rinks, pathways, etc. are a high priority. We can do this at a nominal cost and take little time to build.
The Gallagher Center is an absolute gem and draws a tremendous amount of visitors and money to our city鈥檚 business world. Although it would appear to run at a deficit every year, the city gets back a high return and spinoff from visitors while here by way of shopping, eating, etc. In business, you need to spend money to get money.
Aaron Kienle
Every city and town in our province struggles with old and failing infrastructure. We need to continue allocating dollars into streets and roads and budget for the ever-growing issue that is below our streets and is showing up by way of water main breaks. Over the last four years we have seen a 240 percent increase in service breaks with a cost rising from $314,000 in 2016 to $750,000 in 2020. This is incredibly important that we continue to plan and budget for when problems arise.
It鈥檚 important to note that York Road needs to have work done immediately. The last two SUMA Conventions I took the time to attend the Highway Ministers Session and publicly, in front of the microphone, asked both the current Minister and the past Minister for help on this project and when and if we would see this piece of road be a priority for the Government. I have pushed for more government funding and have utilized my relationship with Greg Ottenbreit, our current MLA and Minister of Highways to try and advance this issue.
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Question #2: What is your position on property taxes over the next four years?
Aaron Kienle
We have to be extremely cautious while thinking about the burden taxes place on the residents, especially as a result of the global pandemic. Simply put, zero percent is not sustainable for the long term and only shifts the burden to the future. I would caution everyone that in the late 鈥�90s and early 2000鈥檚 the city went with zero percent tax increases four times in seven years and the other three years tax increases totaled 33 percent.
I do have a plan to help the taxpayer that with the majority of council鈥檚 support, could provide the city of Yorkton with a zero percent tax increase for 2021 to better understand the challenges we are facing during COVID-19. The city has received funding from the federal and provincial government that could be used to have a year of zero percent tax increase. This funding was provided to safely restart our communities.
We need to carefully evaluate all spending and work towards attracting new economic growth and development to the city. In turn, this will increase the amount of money the city receives from these new taxpayers.
My goal is to bring tax stability with fiscal responsibility.
Mitch Hippsley
Raising taxes is simply not an automatic thing to do just because. Increasing taxes must be justified first with cause. Each year we have questionable overspends and really need to push the pause button now. It was suggested by administration that we go up at least three percent every year just to cover increasing costs. In four years that becomes 12 percent. That is a significant amount of money for the average family household. Ask yourself 鈥渄id you get 12 percent increase in your salary in four years?鈥� Since 2016 the average residential taxes rose over 20 percent & the average business taxes rose even more. We need to spend less and question everything or bring in new developments & business to increase the tax coffers. Marketing our city will be our next challenge. COVID is here and it鈥檚 impacted our world in a very negative way! We must pull back where we can and see where we will be a year from now. Presently, the economy is obscured and employment is questionable. I am pushing for a zero tax increase for 2021 and possibly even more.听 I know this is a very realistic goal.
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Question #3: With COVID-19 being an issue both in the present and far into the future, what can the city of Yorkton do to mitigate the damage and help recovery?
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Mitch Hippsley
Our new world has created a world of uncertainty but we must move forward even so. As your next mayor I believe that there is opportunity when there is change. When doors close there will be others opening, but we must keep an open mind and look in different directions to find them.
Cold calls of aggressive marketing to new Ag businesses as the food industry continues to thrive even more. Our city is perfectly situated to host their needs.
I would propose to our new council that we consider giving our tax payers a longer deadline without interest charges. I would also look especially at lowering specific smaller type business operations for at least a year possibly more. This will help keep them afloat while they navigate and find new ways to adapt.
Although we as a city will continue to search and apply for financial help from the province or country, I would keep my expectations low. If we do, that money would be used directly for mitigation. Very careful spending overall is going to be my push. Some projects will be put on hold and is the key to our financial health.
Aaron Kienle
For residents we can look to keep our tax rates incredibly low, while still maintaining the current level of services. We also need to continue to look for low cost or no cost recreation or community space that promotes physical and mental health and wellbeing for all our residents.
For businesses we have to offer help and I鈥檝e been talking with the finance department about looking at a relief program or grant that could help struggling businesses and encourage new businesses to open. For both residents and businesses, the city offered a property tax deferral this year in which we gave over $200,000 in interest and penalty relief. This essentially works out to one per cent decline in city tax revenue. I would work with Council to see if tax deferring in future years would be necessary.
We must always be thinking to the future while being conscious of the present.
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Question #4: What is your stance on a proposed replacement for the Kinsmen Arena?
Aaron Kienle
I am extremely proud to have been chosen by the Gallagher Centre Management Board to sit on the Construction Planning Committee. This was the first time a sitting Councillor was involved in such a committee. This committee hired our Construction Management team and worked with user groups like Yorkton Minor Hockey, Yorkton Skating Club, Terriers, Maulers, Rec Hockey, etc. and sought feedback from the residents to bring this plan as far as its come.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 has caused Council to re-evaluate future spending so the plan will need to be visited in the future as no decisions have been made. We will need to look at the scope of the project (Gallagher expansion, renovation or standalone arena) and what we can currently afford or if we should start a reserve fund so we can save for a down payment. I see this as an investment for the future and something that we need to do before we run into major problems with our current facility or one of the small town facilities our user groups use as that would create problems for the families in our City.
Mitch Hippsley
Approximately 1陆 year ago it was brought to the attention of council that the Kinsmen Arena had been given maybe a five year window of time before its useful life is over. I believe we need to do something to replace it or repair it. Council has gone thru extensive investigation to determine a design and costs related to build a new second ice surface already in hope that the Gallagher Levy would pay for the new build without raising taxes. Once again, costs kept rising beyond what we first projected. Although I am open to either, I feel we should investigate the costs to repair the problems to the Kinsmen Arena first now in light of COVID. A two or three million dollar spend would be a good idea to buy some time for now. We know it鈥檚 not yet in a state of disrepair, but needs dehumidification, ice plant and renovations to the change rooms. It is in a great location fully paved and landscaped so we do not have added costs to consider.
Please understand, we need, not want, to spend money on a second ice surface for sure!
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Question #5: What skills do you possess that will make you a good Mayor?
Mitch Hippsley
I am a third generation Yorktonite, born, raised and educated all in Yorkton.
I know Yorkton.
My wife and I have four adult daughters and I am fully aware of the challenges young families face.
I have owned and operated our business for 37 years downtown Yorkton. My adult education came from the world鈥檚 best and I worked with people all over North America.
My profession of 40 years has taught me to listen & learn from thousands of people in all
walks of life with their concerns, ideas and their dreams.
I am one of the easiest people to talk to.
I am an organizer, planner & visionary.
Serving on city council has taught me on how money is spent and how it could be spent better.
I am now at a time in my life I want to give back to my community. Our city is safe, affordable and full of opportunity. It is rich in culture and rich in amenities.
I know Yorkton has so much more potential and I look forward to making it happen.
When elected, I will become your Mayor full time.
I believe in Yorkton and I love this city.
Aaron Kienle
I would recommend looking at what Mitch and I have done these last four years to prepare ourselves to become Mayor. I encourage you to speak with the numerous people we have worked with on boards, committees and organizations to hear about each of us.
Commitment:
听- Prioritized Council and resident matters over my businesses
- Built relationships with other Mayors, Cities and MLA鈥檚
- Sat on over 10 Committees and Boards
- Tied for best attendance
- Attended countless events as a city representative
Education:
- Attended all four annual SUMA Conventions
- Attended SUMA regional meetings
- Twice attended budget announcement at the Legislature
- Attended Mayor鈥檚 Summer School
- Earned two Municipal Leadership Development Certificates
Communication:
- First Councillor to have a dedicated Facebook page (1000+ followers)
- Met in person with hundreds of residents and businesses
- Responded to countless messages and phone calls
- Directed the City to use social media to communicate with residents
- Publicly spoke at numerous events.
- Encouraged the use of digital surveys
I have the ability to comprehend and understand different points of view and think independently to make the best decision for Yorkton; including making tough decisions that may not always be popular.
