Taxpayers Deserve Transparency in Municipal Spending
Tegan Hill and Austin Thompson argue that taxpayers have the right to know how much their municipal governments spend.
In rural areas, the cost of roads, parks, and emergency services is shared among fewer people, but high spending is not inevitable. Some rural municipalities have managed to spend significantly less, demonstrating that local choices about services and delivery matter.
With elections for local governments approaching in Alberta, it is essential for voters to be informed about the spending habits of their municipalities. A recent study revealed that Grande Prairie County and Red Deer County were among the highest-spending municipalities in Alberta in 2023, on a per-person basis.
Taxpayers should know how much their municipal governments spend.
Authors Tegan Hill and Austin Thompson emphasize the importance of transparency in municipal spending, allowing taxpayers to make informed decisions about their local governments.
Author's Summary
Taxpayers deserve to know how their municipal governments spend their money, and transparency is key to informed decision-making.