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Township approves SVCA budget

By Liz Dadson

Huron-Kinloss council

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Despite facing a six-per-cent increase in its own levy, Huron-Kinloss council has approved the draft 2010 budget for the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA).

At the council meeting Monday night (Jan. 18), there was little discussion. However, at the Jan. 11 committee meeting, councillor Anne Eadie explained that the overall SVCA budget increase was only two per cent. The general levy increase was 1.48 per cent which equals $19,327.

She said the SVCA was able to bring in a much lower increase due to drawing down on reserves. Provincial funding is at 4.93 per cent for operating and 3.94 per cent for capital projects, and continues to decrease, said Eadie.

Up until 1995, the province was funding half the cost of the SVCA, she said. The majority of the funding now comes through the general levy (42.08 per cent), and user fees (39.39 per cent).

Huron-Kinloss' levy increase equals $5,021.28 - to $80,132.40 from $75,111.12, the second highest increase for the 15 municipalities involved. The highest was Saugeen Shores whose increase was $24,668.03 - to $277,299.05 from $252,631.02.

Kincardine's levy increased by $2,867.48 - to $244,614.47 from $241,746.99, as did Arran-Elderslie ($147.23) and Chatsworth ($1,024.24).

The levy stems from a formula worked out between the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Conservation Ontario years ago, based on assessment.

Other municipalities saw a decrease in their levy, including: South Bruce ($3,279.20), Southgate, ($2,681.22), Hanover ($2,560.27), Wellington North ($1,645.64), Brockton ($1,097.64), Grey Highlands ($1,459.43), Howick ($132.83), Minto Town ($718.44), Morris-Turnberry ($120.17), and West Grey ($706.84).

"It was disappointing that ours went up so much," said Eadie. "I thought it would be about 1.48 per cent."

"I don't like the idea of using reserves to pay for services," said councillor Jim Hanna, "but we're going to have to face reality ourselves when it comes to budget talks."

Because the levy is based on assessment and the township saw extensive growth last year, its levy went up considerably, said Eadie. "This is an instance when the formula fails. It's annoying, particularly to those of us with common sense."

Hanna said the rural areas are subsidizing the cost of conservation in Ontario because Toronto pays only $2-$3/$100,000 assessment, whereas in rural Ontario, the cost is $15-$16/$100,000 assessment.

"We've argued that point," said Eadie. "The maintenance of conservation and sustainability are important to all of Ontario. We need to find an alternative funding formula and we must keep hammering away at this issue."

Deputy mayor Wilfred Gamble said the increase for the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority is also going to be high - about eight to nine per cent - for Huron-Kinloss, even though the overall levy increase is only 4.9 per cent.

"The conservation authorities and the province should look at a policy change," said councillor Lillian Abbott.

"We have the same argument here between the lakeshore and agricultural property owners," said Hanna.

Council approved the draft budget.

At the Jan. 18 meeting, Eadie also pointed out some good news. The company doing construction for the power corridor between Bruce and Milton has rented land for a work camp at the SVCA headquarters for four years. That means substantial revenue for the SVCA, she said. 

 

 
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Wednesday, January 20, 2010