Hamilton City Council Chamber Credit: Joey Coleman
Hamilton resident Viv Saunders wrote the follow letter to Hamilton City Council for inclusion in the April 22 Council agenda package. City Hall did not include the letter in the agenda. It is being republished in full as a matter of public interest and democratic discourse. (typographical emphasis from the original letter.)
Dear Honourable Mayor & Council
There are several motions that have been coming forward asking for Council to approve the use of Special Levy funds
Although Staff have titled the ward specific Accounts as ‘area rated’ to distinguish the old Hamilton boundary is the area being levied; the funds themselves cannot be levied under the Area Rating regime in the Municipal Act. Hence, they are levied under the Special Levy section of the Municipal Act.*
As such, this body is the stewards of this taxpayer supported revenue source & bears the responsibility to ensure spending of Special Levies adhere to the provisions of the Municipal Act as part of your adoption of the annual taxation by-laws for the last 15 years.
Madam Mayor, you bear additional responsibility under your Strong Mayor’s Budget due to the fact the budget directed Staff to levy $13,428,870 as a Special Capital Re-investment Levy**.
Regardless of any local policies or procedures, it is incomprehensible to interpret that our legislature intended that section*** of the Act to be a ways & means for our stewards of public funds to use that revenue tool in the fashion it is being done.
Please consider the source of the funds & the weight of the provincial regulations as well as your own Tax Policy by-laws, and not the local policies, when you cast your vote to approve or deny these types of expenditures.
With respect,
Viv Saunders
P.S. As an aside, you may also feel that expenditures should align with the information provided to taxpayers as part of your Accountability & Transparency goals. Hence, I’ve also included that below****
* : Council approved Tax Policy:
** Mayor’s Directive:
*** Section 326 of Municipal Act
**** How the city describes the Levy on tax billings:
Example of a Commercial property in Hamilton.
Production Details v. 1.0.0 Published: April 23, 2026 Last updated: April 23, 2026 Approving Editor: Joey Coleman
Update Record v. 1.0.0 original version
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