Iqbal Singh Sandhu

What are the three most important outcomes you want West St. Paul to achieve during the next four years? What measurable result would tell residents you succeeded?

My three priorities are: 1. Responsible Growth: while protecting West St. Paul's rural character and quality of life. I would make sure that WSP grows and develops with the right resources. 2. Infrastructure and Services: would mean prioritizing roads, drainage, wastewater, snow clearing and public safety as our community grows. 3. Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability: Controlling spending while keeping tax pressure down and informing residents about their money and its uses.

How should West St. Paul balance keeping municipal taxes competitive with maintaining and expanding services? Identify one area of municipal spending you would protect and one you would examine most closely for savings or efficiencies.

Managing taxes does not mean cutting down on essentials and services. It means making sure every tax dollar is being used wisely such as protecting core services and infrastructure like roads, drainage, snow cleaning and public safety as previously mentioned. I would also closely examine administrative and discretionary spending, consulting costs, contract and major purchases. I support competitive tendering, regular spending reviews and pursuing provincial and federal grants before placing additional costs on taxpayers. Also, as the commercial tax base grows for WSP we should have that growth to help reduce the pressure placed on residential taxpayers while continuing to provide the services residents expect and need.

When the RM has an operating surplus or significant reserve funds, how should Council balance saving for future infrastructure, paying down debt, funding current projects and limiting future tax increases?

Surpluses and reserves should be managed with a long-term plan. We need health reserves for major infrastructure, emergencies and future obligations. Council should also look at whether funds can reduce expensive borrowing, fund necessary capital projects or help limit future tax increases. The goal should be to be balanced, maintain financial stability and avoid unnecessary debt.

West St. Paul continues to experience rapid residential development. What costs should new development be expected to carry, and what costs should reasonably be shared by the municipality as a whole?

New development should carry the reasonable costs directly created by that development inclusive of required roads, drainage, sewer and water connections, and other supporting infrastructure. Taxpayers should not be expected to subsidize infrastructure that primarily benefits a new development. Whereas when a road, sewer project or public facility provides a broader community benefit, sharing a part of that cost may be reasonable. My point being, having clear development discussion, agreements, consistent policies and proper enforcement will be necessary for me and the community. We will and should welcome responsible development as long as it contributes fairly to the long-term costs and while also considering the residents and their future.

What types of businesses and commercial development should West St. Paul actively encourage? How should Council balance expanding the commercial tax base with traffic, infrastructure, nearby neighbourhoods and community character?

I would encourage and prefer businesses that create local jobs and provide services that residents travel elsewhere for. By strengthening our commercial tax base, we could include retail, restaurants, professional services, light industrial, healthcare and other businesses that may be beneficial for West St. Paul. This type of development will be planned and not just simply approved wherever land is available. Factors such as traffic flow, road capacity, drainage and infrastructure impacts need to be considered as well.

What are your highest infrastructure priorities for the next term? How should West St. Paul respond to increasing traffic and demands on roads, drainage, wastewater and other infrastructure as the municipality grows?

Most of this will seem like a reiteration of my previous points above but infrastructure needs to keep pace with development rather than playing catch up years afterwards. My priorities are roads, drainage, traffic safety and wastewater infrastructure. Pushing for a long term infrastructure plan that clearly identifies projects, priorities and expected costs to convey realistic timelines for residents. We also need to be working closely with the province and neighbouring municipalities because many traffic and infrastructure challenges do not stop at municipal boundaries. Preventive planning is generally better and less costly than repeatedly fixing problems after they occur.

As West St. Paul grows, which municipal services need the most attention or investment — such as fire protection, community safety, public works, snow clearing, parks, recreation or bylaw enforcement — and why?

I would put my greatest attention on public works, fire protection, community safety and bylaw enforcement. Increased growth means services need to also grow exponentially to ensure the safety and welfare of the residents. Recreation, parks and community spaces are also important, particularly for families and young people. Major projects must be financially responsible and based on actual community needs. Residents should be able to expect reliable basic services. Focusing on measurable service standards and better communication when problems occur will be a priority as well.

What do you believe is the single biggest issue facing West St. Paul as a whole, and what specific result should residents expect from you by the end of the next term?

The biggest issue is managing rapid growth without losing control of infrastructure costs, taxes and the character and values of our community. growth itself is not the problem, poor planning is. By the end of the next term, I want residents to see a clear long-term infrastructure and growth plan showing where development is expected, what is required, what it will cost and who is responsible for paying for it. My goal is for West St. Paul to continue growing but in an orderly and financially responsible way that benefits its residents first, while keeping property taxes as low as reasonably possible.