top of page

Candace Koch

for Mission City Council

Candace Koch

for Mission City Council

Get the Basics Right First !

2. PUBLIC SAFETY & CORE SERVICES

I believe Mission needs practical solutions, responsible spending, and leadership willing to act. Here’s how I’ll approach the issues that matter most to our community.
 

My Solutions

1. AFFORDABILITY & RESPONSIBLE SPENDING

The goal: Lower the pressure on taxpayers.
  • Find waste and duplication. Conduct a review of City spending, programs and services to identify waste, duplication and efficiencies.
  • Fund and prioritize the basics first. Put core municipal responsibilities ahead of lower-priority projects and initiatives.
  • Demand value for every dollar. Challenge spending that does not provide clear value to residents.
  • Cut costs before raising taxes. Look for ways to reduce operating costs before asking taxpayers for more.
    Use smarter funding tools. Pursue creative funding opportunities and partnerships.
  • Grow revenue, not just tax bills. Look for ways to increase the City's revenue-generating capacity without simply increasing property taxes.
  • Think long-term with every decision. Make long-term financial sustainability a priority in every major decision.

2. PUBLIC SAFETY & CORE SERVICES

The goal: Get the basics right.
  • Put safety and basics first. Prioritize public safety and essential municipal services. 
  • Maintain what we already have. Push for better maintenance of roads, infrastructure, parks and public spaces. 
  • Focus resources where people feel it. Focus City resources on services residents depend on every day.
  • Check if services are working. Performance and efficacy reviews should be ongoing. 
  • Staff fire services properly.  Review Fire Dept. staffing levels with required new hires and greater utilization of POC staff. 
  • Fix small issues early. Address small problems before they become expensive problems.
  • Match growth with services. Make sure growth is accompanied by the infrastructure and services required to support it. 
  • Review 7th Ave Greenway. Review 7th Avenue Greenway to ensure safety and functionality. 
  • RCMP Station and Staffing. We must explore our options and get a new detachment on the radar. Staffing levels also considered.
  •  Firehall #4 building.  I do not support  the construction of Firehall #4 due to capital, staffing and equipment costs. I believe we need to expand and utilize hall #1 more effectively.  Staffing is the most pressing issue that we need to solve first. 
  • ​

Bottom line:  Before City Hall takes on more, let's make sure we're doing the basics well.

Bottom line: Spend less where we can. Spend smarter where we must.

3. ECONOMY, JOBS & BUSINESS

4. ACCOUNTABILITY & CONFIDENCE IN CITY HALL

The goal: Build a stronger tax base instead of continually taxing the same people.
The goal: Restore confidence.
  • Let private land developers lead. Stop creating obstacles for private property owners.
  • Cut red tape for business. Consult with the development, building,  and business community to identify unnecessary barriers and delays in municipal processes such as permits. Why are they investing elsewhere? Where can Mission improve?
  • Respond faster to employers. Improve City Hall's responsiveness to businesses.
  • Stay competitive with other cities. Ensure Mission City Hall is competitive with progressive cities such as Chilliwack, including comparative analysis where needed.
  • Grow jobs in the right places. Support responsible commercial and industrial development in the right locations that creates jobs.
  • Strengthen our tax base. Encourage investment that expands Mission's Commercial and Industrial assessment base.
  • Open the books on major decisions. Greater transparency around significant spending and proposals well before they're presented such as the City Hall purchase and Fire Hall #4.
  • Demand value for taxpayers. Require clear costs, expected results, return on investment, performance reviews and identification of duplication.
  • Bridgehead Investment Corporation. I will immediately call a motion to begin the process of eliminating the Bridgehead Investment Corporation, including Homes for Healthcare project, reverse the City Land Transfers, freeze any taxpayer funding, and investigate and potentially sell any Lands purchased. 
  • Revisit the OCP. Ensure it reflects meaningful community feedback and provides residents and developers with a clear, reliable framework.
  • Create consistency at City Hall. Clear expectations and consistent processes so residents and businesses aren't faced with changing goalposts.
  • Communicate before, not after. Provide more information and meaningful engagement around major upcoming decisions.
    Follow the facts. Base decisions on research, evidence and measurable results.
  • ​Staff communications: Re-instate Council engagement with various departments. (ie. each Councill member sits on meetings with various departments) Find appropriate ways for staff to communicate needs and concerns, not just exempt staff. Union engagement is very important. 
  • Modernize Question Period. Change question period to the beginning of a meeting which saves the public time and  aligns with neighbouring communities like Maple Ridge. 

Bottom line: More jobs. More investment. A stronger tax base. Less pressure on existing taxpayers. 

Bottom line: We need a City Hall people can trust and rely on for clear information and meaningful engagement.

PROVINCIAL ISSUES

5. RESPONSIBLE GROWTH & COMMUNITY

Where an issue falls under Provincial responsibility, Council still has an important part to play. 
The goal: Grow Mission without losing what makes it a great place to live.

Where an issue falls under Provincial responsibility, Council still has an important role to play.

I am no stranger to Advocacy at the provincial level, 

I would advocate in conjunction with my fellow Council members to the Province for action, funding and policy changes on Healthcare, Hospital Services, Paramedics, Schools, Highways, Public Transit, Mental Health and Addictions, Flood Protection, Municipal Tree Farm and more.

For housing, Council can use the tools within its own jurisdiction, including zoning, permitting and municipal land, while working with BC Housing and the Province to secure funding for affordable, supportive and attainable housing.

I am happy work collaboratively with Fraser Health, BC Transit, the School District, BC Housing, neighbouring municipalities and other community partners, bring Mission’s specific needs and local data forward, pursue funding, and meet directly with the appropriate Ministers and agencies.

Council should use formal resolutions and partnerships to strengthen Mission’s voice, while keeping residents informed about what has been requested and the response received.

  • Keep growth and services aligned. Make sure infrastructure and services keep pace with growth. (this includes close working relationship with Mission Schools)
  • Support development that pays off. Support responsible development that provides benefit for the community.
  • Protect quality of life. Protect the quality of life residents value by actually listening to surveys and feedback.
  • Invest in community spaces. Invest wisely in parks, recreation and community amenities. Utilize Amenity Cost Charges and In-Kind contributions effectively. 
  • Utilize our Municipal Forest.  With growth comes greater demand for green spaces. I support  investing in more trails and recreational opportunities in the Municipal Forest, funded through the Forestry Legacy Reserve.  A growing community requires more spaces to enjoy our beautiful backyard!
  •  Stretch tax dollars further. Actively seek out partnerships, grants, and alternative funding sources to expand amenities without placing the entire burden on taxpayers.

Bottom line: Grow responsibly. Invest wisely. Build a stronger Mission.

bottom of page