|
The announcement of the 2010 allocations through the Ontario Municipal
Partnership Fund brought good news for Huron-Kinloss council.
The township stood to lose $647,500 in provincial grants next year, but
treasurer Jodi MacArthur said Monday night (Dec. 21) that the province
has implemented transitional assistance to ensure municipalities receive
at least 80 per cent of their 2009 allocations.
Huron-Kinloss will receive $89,400 in transitional funding, she said.
The township also gained from an adjustment to the stabilization
component, resulting in a total 2010 allocation of $1,112,800, compared
to $1,391,000 in 2009 - a difference of only $278,200.
She stressed that the province has indicated the transitional funding is
for 2010 only and as of yet, no decision has been made with respect to
reconciliation for 2009.
"That's good news for next year's budget," said councillor Anne Eadie.
If the total $647,500 had been cut, the township would have had to raise
its taxes by 17 per cent.
"We're still down $278,000," said councillor Jim Hanna. "That means we
have to raise taxes by eight per cent just to stay where we are."
"Well, before it was going to be 17 per cent," said Eadie.
 |
"It's not reasonable," argued Hanna. "We're being set up to
fail."
Mayor Mitch Twolan said the Western Ontario Wardens Caucus
is asking the province to review the funding formula,
especially how it relates to rural municipalities. The
caucus has been told this is high on the priority list.
"So, we get another reprieve next year," said Eadie.
Oh, it's going to be fun at budget time," said Twolan.
|
for
world news,
books, sports, movies ...
