by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — The proposed expenses for the Township of Whitewater Region are coming in at around $8.760 million
Council reviewed the expenses during a special budget meeting last night.
Last Wednesday, they reviewed the capital works budget, and its total was $2.150 million.
The breakdown of the expenses showed council at $174,131; Muskrat Lake sub-committee and Official Plan, $45,000; administration,$1.003 million; administration building, $71,541; fire, $715,365; police, $1.070 million; emergency, $5,800; building department, $120,450; animal control; $27,720; enforcement, $7,700; lottery, $200; planning, $72,300; roads, $3.861 million; street lights, $117,350; crossing guards, $23,144; airport, $10,905; recycling, $192,273; landfill-waste, $168,257; landfill-Cobden, $8,175; landfill-Westmeath, $13,325; landfill-Ross, $270,700; Parks, $67,541; tourist booth, $15,220; beach, $16,920; boat launches, $2,000; Tourism, $18,360; health, $1,947; library, $53,949; recreation, $165,054; museum $12,860; industrial park $106,420; drainage $107,600 and transfers, $223,400.
The breakdown of the budget shows public works has the largest chunk at 71.97 percent followed by fire at 11.71 percent; administration at 5.03 percent; sewer at 4.75 percent; arena at 4.01 percent; water at 2.41 percent; and building at .12 percent.
Treasurer Marsha Hawthorne and Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay reviewed the proposed expenses with council.
While many of the expenses did not need explanation or discussion, there were a few council had discussions over.
Under council, the donations total $1,100, but that may change. While there were the usual donations to the Sunshine coach, Renfrew County seniors home support and the two golf tournaments, Ms. Hawthorne added a $500 bursary to a graduate at Opeongo High School. She said a teacher asked if this bursary could be included in the budget.
“I think it’s a great idea,” said Councillor Charlene Jackson.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin agreed, but noted there are seven high schools that Whitewater Region high school students could attend.
While CAO Tremblay suggested they were not approached by the other schools for a bursary, Coun. Jackson suggested the township be pro-active and provide a bursary to each of them. A suggestion of $200 was provided.
She further noted there is criteria established by other municipalities for a bursary and one of those could be followed. Ms. Hawthorne is to review and bring back to council.
There was a short discussion regarding the $40,000 for the Official Plan Agreement #11 appeal estimated cost. Not liking that number, Reeve Terry Millar questioned how that amount was determined.
CAO Tremblay noted there is no planner on staff, so consultants have to be hired. A large cost will also be the mapping, he added. He noted this is not for fees, but to ensure the appeal is successful.
There are concerns with properties zoning being changed without the property owners being notified, because they don’t have to be, CAO Tremblay said. He feels council should take the step and notify each of those owners.
Coun. Jackson said even if council did have an in-house planner, they would still have to pay for mapping.
Councillor Chris Olmstead questioned if council was fighting an uphill battle against the province in regards to the Official Plan Agreement.
It may be an uphill battle, but CAO Tremblay said, “We need to fight this one.”
Coun. Olmstead questioned when the Community Improvement Plan, which includes hiring two university students, would get underway.
CAO Tremblay said students will be interviewed next week and the two chosen should begin their work by May.
The OPP billing will amount to $1,070 million, which is an increase of 12.51 percent from last year’s budget figure, Ms. Hawthorne said. This figure alone will impact property taxes by increasing them by $31.92.
Coun. McLaughlin said, “The cost of inflation is only two percent. A normal person is thankful for a three percent increase, but 12 percent?”
He further noted that policing along has caused an eight percent increase on taxes in two years.
He believes there will be many questions asked of the OPP representatives when they attend a council meeting next month.
Ms. Hawthorne suggested questions be submitted to her to be passed on to the OPP so they could have answers for council members.
Under roads expenses, it was noted office furniture needs to be purchased for the Ross Garage for team assistant Sandra Moss who is now working out of that office along with Randy Buckwalt and the mechanic, Terry O’Malley.
While fuel prices stayed consistently higher than anticipated in 2016, the 2017 estimate from the previous year is actually up slightly to factor in more time on roads for construction and more work being done on culverts and gravel.
When questioned if the fuel was to be tendered, Steve Hodson noted the tender had been put out last year, but was never awarded due to problems. It was suggested when the new Manager of Physical Services is hired, the fuel situation, including fuel control mechanisms, be reviewed.
It was agreed to hire a summer student for the park for 12 weeks, instead of the suggested eight. While this will give students an opportunity to work for more than eight weeks in the summer, this student will also provide assistance to the volunteers at the tourist booth, even though there will also be a student hired there, along with Jordan Durocher, the new manager of community services.
The recreation budgets drew much discussion from council. It was noted that while Beachburg Arena has asked for extra funding for various expenses, it does not provide financial statements to the municipality.
Coun. Jackson noted that if the township is giving out grants, it should know where the arena’s money is being spent.
Councillor Cathy Regier agreed, noting there is a lot of fundraising done for the Beachburg arena.
“We need to see those financials,” she said, noting, the arena’s coffers could be filled, but they’re coming to council for grants.
Mayor Hal Johnson said at one time financial statements were provided to the former Beachburg council.
The Beachburg Arena is looking for an extra $21,569, above the $20,000 suggested it receive for a space needs and condition assessment on the recommendation of CAO Tremblay.
The Cobden arena is requesting an additional $55,180, above the suggested $20,000 it receive for a space needs and condition assessment on the recommendation of CAO Tremblay.
The question raised for the Cobden arena was are the improvements being done for the minor hockey program or the possibility of a Junior B hockey team moving to Cobden.
It was noted that the new PA system, a cost of $2,500 would benefit the Jr. B hockey team, but all other expenses would benefit minor hockey as well, including the PA system.
Council also agreed to nix the two percent increase to the yearly grant to six recreation/culture groups, namely Cobden, Beachburg and Westmeath recreation associations; Foresters Falls Athletic Association; Cross Roads Community Centre; and the Ross Historical Society. It was agreed this year’s grant remain the same as last year and Mr. Durocher could review the grants over the next year.
The Whitewater Historical Society/Ross Museum is hopeful of getting an extra $8,000 to help with improvement projects at buildings owned by the municipality, namely St. Aidan’s Church, the Exhibit Hall and the Ross Pioneer House.
Coun. McLaughlin questioned what the itemized list amounts were. As a representative on the society for council, he doesn’t recall costs being discussed regarding these projects.
“I don’t like a wish list without costs,” he said. “It looks like they’re just picking a figure out. I don’t know where they come up with the figure.”
CAO Tremblay said some of the improvements are necessary to keep water from damaged the older buildings.
Council agreed to leave the amount in the budget so Ms. Hawthorne has something to work with, but an itemized cost list will be asked to be provided by the society.
By discussions end, a few changes had been made and council was short about $200,000 which is a five percent tax hike.
Next Wednesday evening, the public will have an opportunity to speak on the budget at the public meeting starting at 6 p.m.
