Taxes are shaping up to be one of the defining issues of this election. People are frustrated with rising property taxes, and I believe it’s time to start talking seriously about solutions. If we want to freeze property taxes, and eventually even reduce them, we need to understand that there are only two ways to do it.
The first is to reduce costs. The second is to generate revenue from other sources. In this post, I want to focus on the first: reducing costs through greater efficiency.
Politicians often say we need to “find efficiencies,” but very few explain what that actually means. In practice, there are only a handful of ways to make an organization more efficient. It comes down to managing staffing more effectively and making better use of technology.
1. Implement a Hiring Freeze
The first step should be a hiring freeze wherever practical.
When organizations know they cannot simply add more staff, they are forced to rethink how work gets done. Processes improve, unnecessary tasks are eliminated, and managers look for smarter ways of operating. This is standard practice in many private sector organizations.
A hiring freeze doesn’t have to be permanent. Council can review it annually and make exceptions where absolutely necessary. But there should be a strong presumption against continually growing the municipal workforce.
2. Offer Voluntary Departure or Retirement Programs
The next step is not layoffs.
Many corporations reduce staffing through voluntary departure or voluntary retirement programs. Employees are offered attractive packages and can choose whether they wish to leave. Those who are ready for a career change or retirement often welcome the opportunity.
These programs can be offered across the organization or targeted to specific departments where efficiencies can realistically be achieved. Once positions become vacant, they should not automatically be refilled. Instead, the goal should be to determine whether the same work can be accomplished with fewer people.
3. Invest in Technology and AI
The third piece of the puzzle is technology.
If we expect fewer people to accomplish the same amount of work, we must give them better tools. Artificial intelligence and modern software have enormous potential to eliminate repetitive administrative work and help staff become more productive.
This isn’t simply about buying AI software. Municipalities also need AI governance, clear policies for responsible use, and ongoing training so staff know how to use these tools effectively. AI tools are already helping organizations across the corporate world become more efficient, and municipalities should be exploring the same opportunities.
These three ideas ie a hiring freeze, voluntary departure programs, and investing in AI and technology, are practical ways to reduce operating costs without resorting to widespread layoffs.
Over time, these efficiencies can help slow the growth of municipal spending, making it easier to freeze property tax increases and eventually reduce the tax burden on homeowners.
This is one of the reasons I’m running for council.
I work in the corporate world, where finding efficiencies isn’t just a slogan, it’s an everyday reality. I’ve seen firsthand how organizations use technology, process improvements, and smarter workforce planning to control costs while maintaining service levels.
I believe it’s time to bring that same mindset to municipal government.
About the Candidate & Transparency Notice Siddharth (Sid) Goyal is a candidate for Ward 5 City Councillor in the upcoming Oshawa municipal election. In the interest of full transparency and professional communication, please note that content on this blog may be drafted, refined, or edited with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. All ideas, platform positions, and final verifications are entirely my own.
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