Municipal Government: Presentation to Schools 2017 The Collective Voice for Nova Scotia Municipalities.

What is Municipal Government??

Why should you care about municipal government?

Unlike other businesses, if municipal government closes down, our world would not be the same…

Just Imagine?

No one to put out fires...

No water...

No Garbage Pick-Up...

No Sewers...

No Streets, Signals, Stop Signs…

No Land Use or Transportation Planning

No Public Recreation Facilities…

No Public Transit

What is municipal government?

What is Municipal Government? One of the three levels of government Federal and provincial are the other levels It is a geographic area with the power to govern itself within certain limits – including providing certain services and making policies and bylaws which outline what citizens can and cannot do. Think about rules you must follow at school! Municipalities are run by councils headed by a mayor or warden Councils are elected by the people living within each municipality - to vote you must be at least 18 years old

Types of Municipalities Every part of Nova Scotia is represented by a municipality Municipalities in Nova Scotia can be rural, regional, or towns There are 50 municipalities in Nova Scotia: 3 regional municipalities 26 Towns 21 Rural Municipalities

Size of NS Municipalities Largest Municipality – Halifax Regional Municipality Represents 40 per cent of Nova Scotia’s population at over 400,000 people Smallest Municipality – Town of Annapolis Royal population of just over 400

Municipal History in Nova Scotia Halifax first municipality created in 1841 24 county municipalities created in 1879 Most towns created between 1890-1923 Regional municipalities created in 1995 Halifax Regional Municipality Cape Breton Regional Municipality Regional Municipality of Queens

Why are municipalities considered the level of government “closest to the people?” Local citizens can attend council meetings and participate on committees set up by the municipality Local citizens and community groups can make presentations to council on issues important to them and can respond directly to council in a public meeting Local citizens can go to the municipal office to purchase a dog tag, pay your tax bill, apply for a building permit, or register for recreation programs

Bylaws Municipalities have the power to create and enforce bylaws Bylaws are a set of rules created by the municipality that local residents and visitors must follow This process is similar to rules you follow at school If a person chooses not to follow the bylaw, he or she can be fined a certain amount of money

Examples of Municipal Bylaws

Animal Control

Unsightly Premises

Noise

Littering

Anti-Idling

How Municipal Government Works Municipal government is a form of democracy Local citizens elect councils to represent their interests People can call, email, or speak directly to their councillor on things they are concerned about, to ask a question, or to get information Mayors are elected at large by the people while Wardens are elected by the Council once in office

How Municipal Government Works Councils meet at least monthly to discuss important issues that impact the community Some of the larger municipalities like Halifax Regional Municipality meet every week Residents are free to attend council meetings and can present issues to council at a public meeting if granted permission

How Municipal Government Works Municipalities have elected members (mayor and councillors) and appointed members (staff) The head staff person is called the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) All staff reports to the CAO The CAO reports to the Mayor/Warden and Council The Mayor and Council come up with ideas and staff put their ideas into action

Why is Municipal Government Important? Society could not function without municipal government. Every time you flush the toilet, get a drink of water from the tap, take out the garbage, recycle your bottles and plastics, compost your food, call the police or fire department, take a bus, go for a walk in the park, go skating… These are all municipal responsibilities!!

Mayors and Wardens What are the similarities and differences between a mayor and warden? Both are heads of council – similar to a school principal Mayors elected at large; wardens appointed by council Mayors are in towns and regional municipalities; wardens are in rural municipalities Exceptions are District of Lunenburg, County of Colchester and County of Kings – rural municipalities that elect a mayor

What does the Mayor/Warden do? Leaders of council In charge of council meetings Attend many events in the municipality such as festivals, awards, opening of new facilities Serves as spokesperson for council and the municipality Main contact with media Serves as team builder, uniting council under one vision

What does Council do? Responds to community and individual citizen concerns Is aware of important issues in the community and brings them forward to Council Keeps residents informed about important issues and seeks their feedback Attends and participates in regular council meetings and other committee meetings Establishes long-term vision for the municipality Answers the question: What things can we do now that will improve the community five, ten, and twenty years from now?

What does Council do? Approves operating and capital budgets every year Establishes property tax rates and area rates Approves bylaws and policies

How Municipal Decisions Impact Youth If and where to build recreational facilities such as a skateboard park, community centre, arena or swimming pool Types of recreation programs to offer such as skating and swimming lessons, arts and crafts, etc… Hosting major sporting events such as Canada Games, hockey or baseball tournaments Making sure your community is safe through police and fire protection

What Services do Municipalities Provide?

Police and Fire Protection

Parks

Recreation

Drinking Water and Wastewater

Solid Waste Management - Garbage Collection, Composting and Recycling

Street and Sidewalk Maintenance

Tourism and Special Events

Public Transit

Animal Control

Bylaw Enforcement

How do municipalities pay for the services they provide residents? Municipalities pay for most of their services through property taxes This is money that home owners and business owners pay to the municipality each year. The rest comes from provincial and federal governments and user-fees.

How does council decide where money should be spent? They create what is called a budget The budget looks at how much money the municipality takes in versus how much should be spent based on the required services and services residents want. Municipalities normally do not spend more money than they take in!! There are exceptions – creating big projects like drinking water, sewer systems or road repair often require more money than the municipality has. In this case they borrow money to be paid back over time.

Your Budget Vs. Council Budget Council’s budget Where does the money come from? Your parents; your babysitting money/part time job; birthday money Property tax; federal and provincial grants; borrow money Where must you spend it? Candy, clothes, food, Water, solid waste, recreation facilities Where would you like to spend it? A new skateboard/phone New park, new sidewalk What items do you need to save money for? A bike/car/ trip New arena, new water treatment plant

What types of jobs are in Municipal Government? Parks Supervisor Engineer Finance Director Tax Collector Water Treatment Plant Operator Recycling Coordinator Waste Management Admin Support By-law Enforcement Officer IT/GIS Support Police Officer Firefighter Emergency Management Coordinator Land Use Planner/Planning Technician Building/Fire Inspector Chief Administrative Officer Heavy Equipment Operator Recreation Programmer

How You as Students Can Make A Difference Talk to your councillor on youth issues such as skateboard parks and recreation programs When you turn 18, make sure you vote in the municipal election Ask your Mayor/Warden or member of council to present to your school including organizing student elections and student mock council Have a municipal career day where municipal staff come to your school to talk about what they do Attend a council meeting Ask your mayor or warden to form a youth council to inform municipal council on youth issues

QUESTIONS???