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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2012-06-28, Page 17THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2012. PAGE 17. Bailey asks departments to tighten beltsNorth Huron councillors have been struggling with the townships’s budget regarding contributions to local events and discretionary spending. Two different budgets within the municipality, the council’s discretionary budget which is used when council donates money to events and groups and the community partnership budget which contains money given to groups as part of arrangements are near-to or over budget. Councillor Bernie Bailey explained during North Huron council’s June 18 meeting that council had run over on their discretionary budget due to former Fire Department of North Huron Chief John Black’s funeral costs. “With the passing of Fire Chief John Black, a lot of costs were incurred,” he said. “We were caught off guard when we were told we were over budget, but when youconsider that it cost $8,000 and wehad a $6,000 budget, it starts to makesense.” Bailey said that, while he as sure this issue would be contentious, it needed to be addressed. “We’re $5,000 over a $6,000 budget,” he explained. “We need Gary [Long, North Huron CAO] and the rest of the departments to try and find opportunities to save. I would appreciate this cost being spread throughout the municipality.” Bailey continued on to say that Black was a “great guy” and that he would be missed but that this was “a hard blow” to the council’s budget. Councillor Brock Vodden felt differently about the situation. “I’m sorry that we are singling this out as an expense, I’m sorry that we’re using this an excuse,” he said. “We should find less innocuous expenses to tackle. Eight thousand dollars shouldn’t be a problem like this.” Bailey said that he didn’t mean to use Black’s funeral expenses as apoint of trying to save but that hethought that, regardless of the cause,he would reach out to the staff to ask for help with the situation. Reeve Neil Vincent said that budgets are tricky because they are only a best estimate and unexpected situations like this occur. “This is something that had to be done,” he said. “I hope we don’t lose to many people the way we lost John.” Staff members said that they are always looking for ways to save the municipality money. “Looking for money is something we always do, but I think it might be easier to try and balance out this problem in November,” Director of Recreation and Facilities Pat Newson said. “The time and energy that we would spend now would be wasteful since we can do it more effectively later on in the year.” Donna White, the municipality’s Director of Finance said that every head of staff realizes the need for cutbacks and has been working on itsince before Black’s funeral.“At senior staff meetings we dealwith these issues,” she said. “It’s just automatically something we do.” Councillor Ray Hallahan felt that the other expenses in council’s discretionary budget were also problematic. “We’re running out of money and I have to ask when do we stop helping to throw these parties,” he asked. “When do these parties quit? How much can we ask ratepayers to pay to Dig Our Downtown?” Hallahan was refering to the Dig Our Downtown promotion being held as a joint effort between the Wingham Business Alliance and North Huron Township in hopes of offsetting losses to local businesses as a result of the two-year Josephine Street reconstruction project. Earlier in the evening, Lisa Hearnden of the Wingham Business Alliance requested that council approve a loan for a street party to be held once the construction is done including events for children andadults as well as requesting adonation for the event. She alsorequested that council name the event a municipally significant event. While council granted the latter, both the loan and the donation would have to wait due to the financial constraints council is currently dealing with. They also wished to have an agreement with the group before proceeding with a loan. The community partnership budget, which is split between groups like the Blyth Festival, Belgrave School Fair, local horticultural groups and the Wingham Firefighter’s Association, as well as several others, constitutes $10,800 of the 2012 budget and White reported that $400 was left. The United Way of Perth-Huron, to whom council had decided not to donate in a previous meeting, will receive $200 of the remaining $400, leaving $200, or slightly less than two per cent of the total budget with six months left in the year. Business Directory Affordable CAR AND TRUCK RENTALS Large & Small Trucks fridge carts - piano dollys- moving blankets Complete Selection of Cars Our rates qualify for insurance replacement Passenger Vans full size or mini GODERICH TOYOTA 344 Huron Rd. 519-524-9381 GODERICH 1-800-338-1134 NEW CONSTRUCTION AGRICULTURAL RENOVATIONS RESIDENTIAL Call 519-527-1538 Tarion Home Warranty Builders ZAHND REAL ESTATE LTD. BROKERAGE P.O. 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