Tracey Stevens

NORTH MARYSBURGH WARD 8

When Tracey Stevens meets voters across the County, she often hears that residents feel decisions at Shire Hall are made without consultation with taxpayers.

“The biggest challenge facing the next Council is restoring trust between ratepayers and Shire Hall,” the Ward 8 candidate says, adding that rebuilding that trust should involve community input on major decisions, a clear view of the budget process and firm rules on growth. “Trust is earned through consistent behaviour, not promised in a campaign. That’s the standard I’ll hold myself to.”

Ms. Stevens has more than 20 years of corporate experience, including 15 years of leading projects in telecommunications, manufacturing, and business transformation. She holds degrees in engineering, business and educational technology, and is a partner in a small business headquartered here in the County.

She feels that the financial integrity of the municipality must be a top priority for the next Council. “Personally, I believe that property taxes should be in line with the cost-ofliving index. Council needs to separate needs from wants by communicating and engaging on a regular basis with the ratepayers of the County and making informed, sensible decisions based on that dialogue.”

On the issue of infrastructure spending, particularly waterworks, she admits she is not privy to the legal contracts signed with the various developers, but adds: “There should be expiry clauses in each one so that if water and wastewater allocations go unused within the prescribed timeframe as set out in the approved development plan, these allocations can be clawed back and redeployed to developers who are shovel-ready.”

She is opposed to strong mayor powers because the concept “at odds with the principles of democracy…What is the point of having a council of independent individuals, representing their fellow citizens, making informed decisions impacting the quality of those lives if a single individual, can veto those decisions?”

In terms of making the County more affordable for young families, workers and seniors, Ms. Stevens says Council can’t control interest rates or the housing market, but it does have some tools that can be used, such as keeping property taxes in check and maintaining the affordability of community services. She adds that Council should “make it easier to add homes where they make sense. Council can speed up and simplify approvals so families can add a unit for an aging parent, an adult child, or a local worker renting nearby.” Council should also push for the right mix of housing like rentals and smaller homes, she says, and make growth pay for growth. “Development charges should cover the cost of new infrastructure, so existing ratepayers aren’t subsidizing it through their taxes.”

Ms. Stevens says she is running in Ward 8 because the next Council faces hard decisions on growth, roads and spending. “My corporate career has been about turning complex problems into clear, workable decisions. What I offer is a different approach: ask first, then decide. I’ll push for working committees of citizens, staff and councillors, so decisions on development and spending reflect what our communities actually need.”