A Canadian Federation of Independent Business report on municipal spending, released Thursday, calls for the hiring of a municipal auditor-general in B.C.

This recommendation comes as a result of 85 per cent of small businesses surveyed asking for regular audits of municipal spending.

However, David D. Hull says the topic has not been broached at the B.C. Chamber of Commerce level.

According to the report, Abbotsford increased its operating spending by 50.2 per cent from 2000 to 2007 while population and inflation growth was 27.7 per cent over the same period.

Those stats put Abbotsford in 15th spot on the list of municipalities in B.C.

“I guess that makes us average,” said Hull, the executive director of the Abbotsford chamber.

“I don’t know if average is good or bad but at least we aren’t extremists.”

He says the increase in municipal spending is the result of an inadequate funding system.

“In the past, municipalities had three or four core responsibilities to take care of.”

Hull says that included fire, police some road and sewer work and recreational facilities.

“That is what fell under the mandate of the city. What has happened over the past 10 years or so is the soft downloading from higher government onto the municipalities.”

He says municipalities have been asked to put more money towards everything from road projects to social issues, but funding levels have stayed the same.

“If you stick with current funding procedures, this is what’s going to happen.”

Hull also points to previous local administration that kept taxes so low for so long.

“We’re paying for it now.”

He feels that if the municipalities have to take on more responsibility, being handed down by higher levels of government, then they should hand down some of the funds as well.

“It makes sense that the municipality should take care of the people of Abbotsford, but give us the millions in funding needed.”