HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2015-12-23, Page 10Reduced funds will
most likely result in tax
raises and cuts for Huron East
Shaun Gregory
Huron Expositor
The conversation
shifted to a new topic at 72
Main Street in Seaforth.
The political gang was
silent for a brief second
after Huron East's treas-
urer/finance manager,
Paula Michiels told them
the "bad news."
The headache for the
council just ten days
before Christmas was far
from a gift, more like coal
in their stockings as the
province notified Huron
East and several other
Ontario municipalities
that they will be decreas-
ing financial support. The
cutting of funds is some-
where in the range of
$294,000, which equates
to a 9.4 per cent municipal
levy increase said Paula
Michiels. That's a number
that does not help seeing
as the Municipality of
Morris-Turnberry is cur-
rently ranked as having
the highest percentage
decrease out of all the
lower tiers across the
county, along with Huron
East taking the lead with
having the highest dollar
decrease. This informa-
tion collected comes from
a chart in a report con-
ducted by Michiels com-
paring the 2015-2016
Ontario Municipal
Partnership Funds. In
terms of the large decline,
the municipality is forced
to start the 2016 budget
process with a $485,000
shortfall. "Generally to
make up that we need a 15
per cent increase," said
Michiels.
"We've got to do some-
thing to make up for that
loss of funding, whether it
means cuts in programs,
projects or increases in
taxes," clarified the Huron
East CAO Brad Knight.
Also adding to the con-
cern, the OPP costs have
increased to $191,000,
which boosts the general
levy to 6.1 per cent, "it's a
significant impact espe-
cially with the police."
Currently each house-
hold is being charged
approximately $352 for
the law enforcement's ser-
vices, a figure that factors
in police monitoring. The
OPP calculates municipal
policing bills through
annual estimates and a
reconciliation process
according to the 2012 OPP
Cost Recovery Formula
Update. The five core ser-
vices that tie into the bill:
• Crime prevention
• Law enforcement
• Victim assistance
• P u b l i c order
maintenance
• Emergency response
service
This space is reserved for our best wishes and gratitude.
We know we wouldn't be here without your support. Thanks!
Seaforth Agricultural Society
519-527-1321
"(OPP) come up with a
budget amount and as you
can see the amount is
going up considerably
each year," Knight said.
"Seven or eight years
ago municipalities didn't
pay for OPP policing, but
the province has moved
that part of the OPP cost
(to be recovered) by the
municipalities."
Recently the OMPF
which is the province's
main unconditional trans-
fer as reported by the Gov-
ernment of Canada has
made cuts elsewhere
including education rates
stated Knight and in doing
so this is where is
becomes a problem for
Huron East to request for
more finances.
"They can make the
argument that they cre-
ated some room, it's a fine
theory to say you can
upload at the county and
it should create room
across the lower tiers," he
said.
"But if (the) lower tiers
are all different then there
are different levels of
funding. Blue Water is
actually going up."
Even though Huron East
is starting next year with a
sizeable deficit council
did admit that through
investments and profits
they have been shaving off
$250,000 annually for the
last four years. Huron
East, Mayor Bernie
MacLellan is bringing the
matter to the CAO and
staff at the Huron County
chambers where he plans
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All over town, people are enjoying the beauty
of the season with their near and dear ones.
We'd like to send our best wishes for wonderful
holidays to our friends everywhere!
Famme & Co.
Profeeriona[ Corporarion
125 ONTARIO STREET, --
STRATFORD,ON N5A3HI CPA '§
519-271-7581 r
Wednesday, December 23, 2015 • Huron Expositor 11
Shaun Gregory/Huron Expositor
Huron East is set to start the 2016 budget with a $485,000
shortfall because of reduced finances from the Ontario
Municipal Partnership Funds.
on stating their case in a
higher setting in the city
of Toronto.
"I don't know if we'll get
any traction, at the end of
the day because we don't
believe we are being treated
equitably," said the mayor.
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ItIteit _
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