Where I stand
Residents are already making trade-offs at home. City Hall should be able to explain its trade-offs just as clearly.
When a new expense comes forward, I want to know what it buys, whether the cost is one-time or permanent, what the future-year impact is, and what would have to be delayed or reduced to pay for it.
My approach is not “yes to everything” or “no to everything.” It is to make the trade-off visible before Council votes.
Current Cornwall facts
These are the factual pieces I am using as the baseline. They are separated from my opinion on purpose.
What Council actually controls
Council adopts the municipal budget, sets the municipal tax levy and water/wastewater rates, approves major capital spending, and decides how municipal reserves, debt and available grants are used within legal and financial limits.
What I would ask for
I want the current-year cost, future-year operating impact, financing cost and expected life of the project or service.
Before approving a major expense, compare phasing, grants, reserves, debt, redesign or deferral where those options are realistic.
Cost restraint should not mean allowing roads, water, emergency services or other core assets to deteriorate until the repair is more expensive.
For major budget votes, I want residents to be able to see what changed, how I voted and why.
Official sources checked
Factual baseline checked September 28, 2026. External sources can be updated after publication; the linked page is the controlling source.