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It was a narrow 4-3 vote at Huron-Kinloss council, in favour of a
proposed benefit-sharing agreement between upper- and lower-tier
governments.
At the Dec. 21 council meeting, the township was asked to endorse a
resolution from Niagara-on-the-Lake, urging all lower-tier
municipalities in Ontario to follow the lead of Niagara and negotiate
with their upper-tier partners a benefit-sharing agreement. This would
distribute gross benefits, derived from uploaded social services,
amongst the lower-tier municipalities by way of a tax levy restatement
in 2010, in order to distribute those 2010 savings to each municipality
proportionately based on assessment.
Councillor Jim Hanna was against the idea, stating the money all comes
from one taxpayer.
"It's a good resolution," said mayor Mitch Twolan, "but when you get to
the Bruce County (upper-tier) level, how does this save taxpayers' money
there?"
"Why not just lower the overall tax rate?" asked councillor Anne Eadie.
"Things like this (proposal) never work out."
The final vote ended in a 3-3 tie, with Twolan voting in favour of the
benefit-sharing agreement.
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In other news:
*Council endorsed a resolution from Frontenac Islands
Township, petitioning the federal government to keep open
the six prison farms slated for closure across Canada, due
to the numerous benefits to both the prisoners and the
environment. "We should support this," said councillor
Lillian Abbott. "It provides a good work ethic for the
prisoners and provides food for those areas." "There's
nothing like working on the farm," added councillor Anne
Eadie.
*The township refused to support a motion from Madawaska
Valley to change the legislation of assessment back to
values of 2008, a more realistic value for a tax rate to be
based on, and to return to a one-year annual assessment; and
also to recognize the significant tax burden carried by
those owners of waterfront properties who may be forced to
sell their homes due to the unrealistic assessed value
provided for their homes. Council was adamant that it does
not want to switch back to a one-year annual assessment.
*Council endorsed a resolution from St. Catharines,
petitioning the federal government to exempt the Royal
Canadian Legion from paying GST on purchases of red lapel
poppies. "I'm surprised at this one," said mayor Mitch
Twolan.
*The township has declared the Lucknow Kinsmen Recreational
Hockey Tournament, slated for Jan. 14-17, at the Lucknow
Sports Complex, to be a community festival for the purpose
of facilitating the organizers to obtain the appropriate
liquor licence.
*Council has authorized the emergency purchase of a well
pump for Lucknow Well No. 5, at a cost of $27,386, plus
applicable taxes, to be funded from the Lucknow Area
Waterworks Reserve.
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