Municipalities could be more fiscally efficient

Re: “Give guidelines to municipalities,” editorial, Aug. 23.

This editorial is an excellent assessment of the issue of the cost of municipal-service delivery. I thought audits were a good idea and continue to support the concept, in some cases, where costs are out of line.

However, as the editorial points out, it is impractical to audit 200 municipal governments with any timeliness. Still, I think the premier is right to expect municipalities to be more efficient in delivering services.

The province could readily supply the average cost of each service as information for budgeting, when councillors and regional district directors are asked to approve budgets. For example, planning budgets are common services for each municipal and regional district government. All have official community plans and bylaws to maintain some 200 different sets of bylaws.

How do costs compare for delivering the same service in small, medium and large local governments? This would give our elected representatives a reference for asking some questions.

There is little appetite for amalgamation here in the Comox Valley, with four local governments for 65,000 people. The majority can afford the cost of four ineffi- cient governments and want no change. However, there are 20,000 lower-income residents who need their elected representatives to ensure efficient service delivery.

I hope the premier read your editorial.

Phil Harrison Comox