Éric Allard wants better financial management in Châteauguay

Châteauguay mayoral candidate for the November 7 election Éric Allard wants to manage the municipality's debt efficiently while controlling the property tax rate.

Translation Renaud Médan

When asked by Le Soleil de Châteauguay about ways to limit the increase in property taxes in the municipality, Éric Allard advocates that we must use municipal regulations.

"We will refrain from going too high. We have to limit, put a framework and tell ourselves that we cannot exceed the cost of living, because we find it is excessive,” he explains.

Mr. Allard is nevertheless satisfied with the tax rate in Châteauguay over the past four years. According to him, it has not increased much. He estimates the average growth at 1% per year.

"Talking about a tax decrease is utopian, in my opinion, but we must at least respect the cost of living by not exceeding it, it would already be a big plus," says the municipal candidate.

Controlling the debt

On the issue of municipal debt, Éric Allard asserts that it is imperative to make informed and intelligent choices when it comes to spending and projects in which the city will embark. As an example, Allard points to a $2.5 million project for street and park signage in the city that was blocked in the last mandate because it was deemed too expensive.

"We need to look for grants that we can access. We must take as much as possible to reduce the rate of debt and payments for citizens," he said.

The Alliance Châteauguay candidate is particularly thinking of the loan by-law for a new drinking water plant worth $12 million. The subsidies that come with this large-scale project will, according to him, contribute to lowering the debt rate.

"At the end of the day, you have to make sure you really need the projects that you're about to do," he said.