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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2013-12-18, Page 3Police talk budget increases at CH council Hard numbers coming in New Year Gerard Creces Clinton News -Record It will be well into 2014 before Cen- tral Huron finds out the full cost of its looming contract with the OPP. Huron Ontario Provincial Police were at Committee of the Whole Dec. 10 to answer any questions council had on the agreement, which brings with it an eight per cent increase over last year. Staff Sergeant Rod Case and Sergeant Kevin Hummel made the Central Huron stop as part of their "magical mystery tour," which Hummel said will take them to 14 districts within Ontario. Case said there are some loud and clear messages coming back from municipalities about the cost of the contract renewals, however, they won't have hard numbers until the New Year. Many municipalities are looking for off- set or mitigation funding, he told coun- cil, as some will see their costs rise sig- nificantly while others may be reduced. Those paying less than $300 per household for policing can expect that number to go up, while those paying more than $400 could likely see their rates reduced, he said. Central Huron currently pays about $260 per household with a $90 per call charge on top. So what constitutes a billable call? The question was put to officers by Councilor Alison Lobb. Case noted while the current agree- ment handles about 80 different cate- gories of calls coming in to police, the new billing model contains 354 catego- ries. Of those, it is expected to be pared down to 150-175, he said. Under the new billing model, Central Huron will also be able to see how and where policing money is spent - an issue which has been discussed in length during regular council meetings. The total amount will depend on the Municipal Property Assessment Corpo- ration's survey of households in the municipality. The more accurate the reporting, the more accurate the billing estimate. Central Huron is looking at $1.34 mil- lion in its 2014 police budget. 1.2 million Canadians —1 in 25 — carry the gene for cystic fibrosis. To learn more, please contact: Canadian Cystic 1-800-318-CCFF www.cysticfi b ros i s. ca Fibrosis Foundation EXTRA,,, EXTRA,.I Classified Value! HAIRCUTS NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED DA ppER Fetiralyt: PROFESSIONAL HAIR STYLES FOR GUYS WALK-IN CONVENIENCE, AFFORDABLE PRICES MAIN ST. CLINTON OPEN TUES-SAT 519 -606 -HAIR (4247) Wednesday, December 18, 2013 • News Record 3 Recreation role questioned as YMCA contract renewal date nears Gerard Creces Clinton News -Record Is there any appeal to municipal fitness? Central Huron Council debated the issue at Committee of the Whole Tuesday, Dec. 10. The issue arose as looming budget increases coincide with YMCA contract renewal time. Councilor Dan Colquhoun said there could be considerable savings - and income - for Central Huron should they decide to run the fitness facility themselves. Right now, council has three options - renew the contract with the YMCA, put out a request for proposals or take the facility over and run it internally. Coun. Burkhard Metzger said while he felt the YMCA is a good match for the commu- nity, there is no harm in opening up discus- sion with other potential providers. Colquhoun said with about 420 members, the money being generated at the YMCA could offer a substantial stream of income to Central Huron. "We're talking about $200,000 in revenue and we're giving it away," he said. Coun. Metzger and Allison Lobb both We're talking about $200,000 in revenue and we're giving it away — Coun. Dan Colquhoun stated they feel the YMCA name does carry some weight with it, as does the fact Central Huron members are able to go to the Goderich Y to use the pool and facilities there. Should council choose to go it on their own, the revenue is up for grabs, Colquhoun said. Council decided to hold off voting on the matter until more councilors were present. Coun. Barnim, Anderson and Deputy -Mayor Jewitt were absent for the meeting. Seaforth Merchants We're So In The Mood For Christmas For all your Shopping Pleasures Shop Downtown Seaforth Shop Sharper Shop Smarter Shop Seaforth we have the spirit