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Once again, municipalities are being asked to pick up the
slack created by a lack of funding from the Province when it
comes to Conservation Authorities.
Provincial Transfer Payment funding makes up only five percent
(5%) of the average Conservation Authority annual budget where
it originally was 50 percent (50%). This funding shortfall
combined with municipal restriction due to increased
responsibilities is putting more pressure than ever on the
Authorities.
Saugeen Shores Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Saugeen Valley
Conservation Authority (SVCA), Doug Freiburger, presented the
2009 Draft Budget to Town Council last week, to mixed reviews.
According to Freiburger, the Province has not increased its
share of funding since 1995 and, yet, the SVCA has managed to
hold spending to an increase of only 1.17 per cent with an 8
percent increase in general levy for the each of the 15 member
municipalities. The difference actually works out to $1.25 per
capita. Of the 15 however, Saugeen Shores has been handed the
highest increase of $21,941.73 over 2008, with Kincardine next
at $8,887.60.
"There are reasons for the difference," explained Freiburger.
"First of all, Bruce Power appealed their assessment with MPAC
and had it reduced, thereby reducing their general levy. Also,
Saugeen Shores is the fastest growing municipality and,
therefore, stands to have the fastest growing/highest levy at
$252,631.02 compared to Kincardine's $241,746.99." While Saugeen
Shores and Kincardine have the highest levies, they also have
the largest percentage of geographic area that falls within the
SVCA.
While most councillors were willing to approve the draft budget
as presented, some had questions they wanted answered.
Councillor Diane Huber questioned whether or not there was a surplus that
could be applied to the budget. "The approximate $22,000 is a
significant dollar amount and I have difficulty getting my head
around supporting this budget. I am struggling with what the
real dollar amounts are. The increase from one year to the next
appears to be consistently around 10 percent. (next column)
05/02/2009 08:45 PM
southampton Market
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"We did have a surplus of $94,000," answered Freiburger,
"and that was applied to reduce the budget. We have also drawn on
reserve funds. Unfortunately, we can only go to one source and that's
the municipalities."
Councillor Luke Charbonneau in support of the budget explained that,
"The Conservation Authority has done an admirable job in holding the
increase to only 1.17 percent. Not one person at the Authority could
come up with a way to bring it down any further."
Councillor Thead Seaman also expressed his annual displeasure with the
budget. "I always struggle with this budget," he said. "The Province
gets their money out of our pockets. I would suggest looking abroad.
Perhaps, joining forces with the County to eliminate some of the costs
or, perhaps, amalgamating with the Grey Sauble Authority to streamline
things."
Councillor Victora Serda also leant her support to the SVCA budget. "We
need to keep in mind that the Conservation Authority was established
after Hurricane Hazel came through here. We needed to make sure we
wouldn't lose even more money in the future. We also have to keep in
mind that by putting in money, we are actually saving money in the long
run. The Conservation Authority makes sure that planning is in place to
prevent environmental catastrophes. Other places are, in fact, very
envious of our Conservation Authorities and the job that they are
doing."
Mayor Mike Smith, said that he too struggles with the SVCA budget. "We
have seen increases every year. There is no doubt that budgeting is a
tough process. This year we are seeing it at the county level as well
and it's very difficult."
In a 5 to 3 vote, the draft budget was approved in a non-binding motion.
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