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Kincardine council gives pre-budget approval to hire summer students By Liz Dadson |
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Kincardine council has granted pre-budget approval for the recreation department to hire summer students for jobs in parks and recreation, the summer playground program, and tourism. In committee-of-the-whole Wednesday night (April 20), councillor Kenneth Craig, policy chairman for parks and recreation said that because the 2011 budget hasn't been passed yet, there are some college and university students set to begin their summer work in the municipality May 1, but the recreation department is unable to hire them. Chief administrative officer John deRosenroll said there are 41 summer students included in the operating budget for 2011, at a total cost of $247,000. However, staff was waiting for the budget to be approved so the hiring could proceed. "I'm concerned about the summer playground program," said councillor Candy Hewitt. "There are not a lot of options for parents with kids during the summer months." Craig said the initial budget, which included a three-per-cent tax rate hike, contained all the wages for these summer students. "Is it safe to presume that the summer playground program will go ahead?" asked deputy mayor Anne Eadie, who was chairing the meeting in the absence of mayor Larry Kraemer. "I don't want to see anything happen to that program." Councillor Randy Roppel said that the hiring of summer students falls under the operating budget, and staff can spend up to 50 per cent of that without the overall budget being approved. "My problem is if we hire the students and then council does not support the program in its entirety, are you going to start letting students go halfway through the summer?" asked Craig. "This is a slippery slope," said councillor Jacqueline Faubert. "It sets a precedent. It doesn't put this program on an even playing field with other programs." "We're prudent but we're not the Grinch," said councillor Ron Coristine. "If we had the net cost for this program, we could make a decision." "We could give you pre-budget approval to hire the college and university students by May 1," said Eadie. Recreation director Karen Kieffer said the 2011 budget anticipates revenue of $97,000 for the summer playground program, and staff wages of $92,000.
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She said the college and
university students working in parks and horticulture begin the first
Monday in May and work a 16-week period. Of the 23 students working in
the summer playground program, 12 are high school students and 11 are
college and university students. They begin training at the end of May
and begin working in early June. "We're asking for pre-budget approval for all the summer students to be hired under the recreation department," said Craig. Clerk Donna MacDougall said there are also three college and university students set to start May 1 at the Kincardine Lighthouse, so they are in the same predicament. Council agreed to grant pre-budget approval so the students can be hired for parks and recreation, summer playground program and tourism. Council also agreed to waive the notice requirements for this agenda item. At the end of the meeting, in council session, final pre-budget approval was given for the hirings, and approval for waiving notice. Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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