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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-01-29, Page 22 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Policing costs concerning county council More discussion forthcoming on economic impact Ontario Provincial Police costs were a hot topic again at Huron County council's committee of the whole day 2 meeting. Warden Joe Steffler, who men- tioned regional wardens discussed police service' costs recently, said at the Jan. 22 meeting that it may be time to look at a countywide fund- ing model, even a regional one. OPP officers received an 8.55% increase as of the first day of 2014; a hike promised by former Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty if the provincial police service agreed to two years of wage freezes. Municipal representatives have expressed concern about the fund- ing model, which sees different parts of the county pay different amounts for police services. "Complaining won't get us any- where. It's too costly, okay, so what is our solution? asked Staffer. "We have to look at alternatives." Paul Gowing (Morris-Turnberry) said costs need to be looked at and also suggested the county could handle the responsibility as opposed to the lower tiers, a sug- gestion that Coun. John Grace (Goderich) agreed with. Shewfelt has said the funding model, which sees huge swings across the province in the 'per household' billing formula, simply doesn't work. "I think you have to examine it. Is there a better model?" The OPP is discussing a new funding model with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correc- tional Services. Last fall, Mary Sil- verthorn, the OPP's provincial commander for corporate services, told QMI the new model of police costing willbe effective Jan. 1,2015. "It will enhance fairness and equal- ize billings across the province. Every municipality will pay its fair share," she said. The model will include a base amount and ratio based on calls for service. Ben Van Diepenbeek, reeve of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh, said the new model's averaging for- mula would not help rural municipalities. "Right now, the urban areas are paying a lot more but they require more service, whereas in the rural areas we are not getting the same level of service!" Van Diepenbeek suggested lob- bying the provincial government for 50-50 funding, "then we will be on an even playing field." "With policing costs going as high as they are today, I think we do have to lobby the province for more dollars for municipalities. They are cutting our own funding, plus they are expecting a higher standard - someone has to pay if you want those kinds of standards." Coun. Neil Vincent said North Huron still have two forms of polic- ing. The more information pro- vided on the subject, the better, he said. Added Shewfelt: "We are getting good policing. But there is a whole other avenue we need to look at. Maybe the whole thing needs to change." Shewfelt said police contracts have been out of local govern- ment's hands. Municipal police forces have benefitted from arbitra- tors decisions to side with them after failed negotiations with local councils. Pay hikes across the prov- ince have included retention pay; a perk first granted to a Toronto police service that was losing offic- ers to the suburbs. McGuinty prom- ised the 2014 salary rate would put the OPP at or near the top of the policing pay scale in Ontario. OPP constables make $94,702, on equal ground with the highest paid police departments in Ontario and $7,000 more per year than in the previous contract. An Inspector, the top post at a detachment, makes $143,047, up from $114,236. An administrative clerk makes $60,181. A motion to discuss the issue at a future meeting was passed. That would allow time for councillors to discuss policing matters with their lower tier counterparts. County CAO Brenda Orchard said she would talk about it at a meeting with lower tier CA0s, as well. Health board merger possibility ends % Idea is 'dead in the water; says Huron warden Paul Cluff QM! Agency Boards of health in Huron and Perth coun- ties will not discuss the possibility of a merger. Huron County Warden Joe Staffer said he received a letter recently saying the Perth board was not in favour of a merger. "It stops the process dead in its tracks," said Staffer. The warden said the Huron board of health, which he has chaired, and upper tier councils in Huron and Perth had expressed a desire to discuss a merger. Huron CAO Brenda Orchard, her counter- part in Perth, Bill Arthur and Ron Shaw, Strat- ford's CAO, showed interest, too, Steffler said. "My opinion is it would be a good idea to enter into a conversation, not necessarily make it happen," Arthur told the Signal Star. Steffler said both boards must agree to move it along. "It isn't truly a political decision. They have the final say," he said. Steffler said money could be saved if the boards merged, noting school boards and other organizations operate under the Huron -Perth banner. Dr. Miriam Klassen, Perth medical officer of health, said the board reviewed the issue at length in the fall and again this month. The Perth board looked at a capacity review, their own strategic plan, the pros and cons and conditions of success. Also considered were other examples of amalgamation and the experiences of those organizations involved. One of the benefits would be increased capacity and more access to experts but a drawback would be upfront costs, which would be substantial, she said. Long-term savings "in this time of lean organizations is unlikely," she said. OFFICE HOURS The Office Hours for The Seaforth Huron Expositor is as follows Mondays - 9am - 5pm Tuesdays - CLOSED Wednesdays - 9am - 5pm Thursdays - 9am - 5pm Fridays - 9am - 5pm Seaforth liffr011 Expositor 8 Main Street, Seaforth ON PH: 519-527-0240 www. seaforthhuronexpositor .com The Perth board also reviewed the past his- tory of amalgamation talks. A considerable amount of time and effort was spent on merging the boards in the 1990's but nothing materialized. Klassen said the boards work together, none more so than during the H1N1 pan- demic of 2009, when they were in daily communication. "We want to emphasize that the board reviewed factors carefully. We are in favour of working together with (the Huron board) and finding efficiencies and serving our commu- nities better, we are just not in favour of a change in governance at this time." INDIAN RIVER DIRECT CITRUS TRUCKLOAD SALE SEATORT FRI., JAN. 31st - 12:45 PM - 2:30 PM Seaforth Agricultural Society 1-10 LB. BOX OF FLORIDA .' Seedless Navel Oranges $28CfCf or Ruby Red Grapefruit PER BOX , www.indianriverdirect.com