CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - A new municipal funding formula and an equal level of service for the entire city are two of the bigger highlights Clifford Lee will take with him.
Lee announced Thursday that he will not seek a fifth term as Charlottetown’s mayor in November.
The longest-serving mayor in Charlottetown history says he is leaving the city in a fantastic position but it’s challenging coming up with specific highlights from a 15-year career as mayor.
But one of the issues that will stay with him is the province and municipalities finally working out a stable municipal funding formula. Government collects property taxes for the city and, in return, gives back some of the money but municipalities have argued it wasn’t enough. Charlottetown said it lost millions since the province moved to a grant system.
“The resolution of that situation did not come easy and the only reason it came is because municipalities across the province were able to come together and agree on what we needed in order to make municipal governments sustainable long term,’’ Lee said.
“We were very fortunate over the last couple of years to run into a provincial government that truly understood and appreciated the role that municipal government plays in this province.’’
Related: Clifford Lee not seeking re-election for Charlottetown mayor
Charlottetown mayors dating back to 1965:
- Clifford Lee, 2003-2018
- George MacDonald, 1998-2003
- Ian ‘Tex’ MacDonald, 1993-1998
- John Ready, 1987-1993
- Frank Moran, 1978-1987
- Frank Zakem, 1975-1978
- Elmer MacRae, 1972-1975
- Dorothy Corrigan, 1969-1972
- Walter Cox, 1965-1969
Lee said the only grant system was unpredictable and unstable and could be changed at the whim of the province.
“No logic, no reason for it other than the fact the province needed more money, so they took it out of our pockets.’’
Now, the new formula awards municipalities financially for growth, depending on the level of service that municipalities provide.
And, speaking of level of service, Lee said another highlight of his tenure as mayor is making sure all residents were treated the same whether they lived in old Charlottetown or one of the amalgamated neighbourhoods.
“If you look at the capital budgets since I became mayor you’ll discover that the majority of the capital budgets have indeed been spent outside the old city of Charlottetown . . . because that’s where the services needed to be brought up to the same level as in downtown Charlottetown.’’
That meant fighting for the city’s ditch infilling program, much to the chagrin of some city councillors.
“My problem is if I’m going to collect the same level of property tax from (a resident in) Sherwood then I’m definitely going to provide the same level of service to them,’’ he said, referring to the city’s storm drainage system. “If not, then we’re going to have to drop their property taxes.’’
Lee said he can’t think of anything he would have done differently or wishes he had done.
“I did what I did because I honestly felt it was the best thing for the citizens of Charlottetown.’’
