South Frontenac Council - Feb. 16/11

Wilma Kenny | Feb 18, 2010

A tough budget, in an election year to boot South Frontenac Council met an hour earlier than usual in order to discuss the 2010 budget, managing to review Environmental Services and Roads.

CAO Wayne Orr outlined the challenge facing Council: "This draft budget has been drawn up following Council's instructions [to keep taxes at an absolute minimum]. We are making the budget palatable this year by significantly drawing down our reserves."

As an example, he noted that the Township had to come up with $1.2 million as its share in order to receive $2.4 million in Government grants for capital expenditures on infrastructure (roads, bridges and library.)

In addition to draining township reserves without replacing the money, the draft budget calls for a 4% increase in the levy to ratepayers, which would bringit to $10.5 million.

Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth said he is concerned that reliance on road reserves may sacrifice future years at the expense of this year. Segsworth said the Township's greatest asset was itsroad system.

"What about its staff?"  interjected treasurer Bracken, bringing a moment's relief to an otherwise tense evening.

Segsworth said it's essential to continue to invest in roads if they are to hold their value, and there is little likelihood of receiving much in the way of grants in the coming years.

"At this rate, there will be no more road reserves left in a few more years. And it's 'penny wise, pound foolish,' if we don't maintain our road assets."

Both he and Wayne Orr placed the same dilemma before Council: increase taxes or cut services.

Deputy Mayor Vandewal said, "We have to at least try to stay where we are: we can't go backward." 

"We'll have to cut services," thundered Robinson, declaring he had no confidence in five-year roads plans.

Councilor David Hahn noted that this year's harder to predict, as it is the township's first amalgamated budget. He also commented that new development, although it means a broader tax base, also means more wear on roads and demands for services. Several councillors seemed ready to refer many budgetary issues as to next year's (new) council.

Budget deliberations will continue at the next Council meeting, March 2nd.

In relation to waste management, Mark Segsworth reviewed Council's earlier agreement with the Sustainability Committee's recommendation that waste disposal costs which are for the public good, should be moved into the general tax base, while collection services which provide individual benefit, would be a separate set charge of $85. per household.

Because Bedford won't have collection until September, their portion of the collection service charge for Jan-Aug will go toward building up their (greatly depleted) reserves for landfill closure.

Verona Medical Clinic

John McDougall, speaking on behalf of the Verona and district Health Services Committee, outlined their plan to purchase the Verona Clinic, with the intent of leasing it back to the new doctors. He asked whether Council would consider underwriting $200,000 as a bond, which the Verona Community Association would repay with interest through fundraising. All agreed that the legal details of such an arrangement would have to be clarified, but council was very supportive of the project in principle, and agreed to discuss it further.