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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1988-04-06, Page 8Page 8—Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, April 6, 1988 Huron County budget set at $22 million By Shelley McPhee tiaist Huron County Council has approved a $22,054,824 budget which includes financing for a waste management study, a day care program and several capital works pro- jects. At a March 24 meeting, council gave the green light to the budget. The 26 municipalities in Huron will share in raising $5,231,926 of the budget. The coun- ty apportionment of the budget is up 6.7 per cent, or $334,379 over the 1987 figure of $4,897,547. The dollars and cents effect of the 1988 budget on the municipalities is uncertain as assessment figures have not been determin- ed. A countywide tax reassessment under Section 70 of the Ontario Assessment Act awaits approval from the government. The proposed reassessment will see mill rates for county and school taxes changed to alleviate inequities in the current county ap- portionment system. Ratepayers in dif- ferent parts of Huron County have not been paying the same county and school tax for property of equal value. The new assessments may mean an increase in taxes for some and, a decrease for others. Huron County municipalities must wait indefinitely for government approval of Sec- tion 70 before they may pass their local budgets. Ball's Bridge financed The 1988 county budget sees transporta- tion services accounting for the largest amount of funds: The highways portion, $7,832,200 ($6,762,829 in 1987) includes finan- cing of $711,000 for the Ball's Bridge reconstruction. The highway budget also carries a $106,200 surplus from 1987. Mother Nature can be, partially thanked for this, as a mild fall weather provided good working condi- tions for road crews and a mild winter cut snow plowing costs. Social services accounted for the next highest monetary consideration, with budgeting tallied at $7,664,343 in 1988 ($7,419,154 in 1987). This includes $82,408 for the proposed establishment of a county subsidized private home day care program for children. The county will contribute only $16,000 of the total budget, the remaining funds to be government supported. Day Care under fire Howick Reeve Gerald D'Arcey suggested that while the proposed day care program is budgeted for 25 spaces this year, this could double and triple in subsequent years. "Let the private people look after this," he suggested. Stanley Reeve Clarence Rau questioned whether the county should get into the day care business. Usborne Reeve Gerry Prbut suggested that the government is spending too much money on day care. He said, "I'm sure the children that are raised at home will grow up to be better citizens then those that are chucked into a little room. The province should pay women who stay at home." John MacKinnon, social services ad- ministrator, noted that Bruce, Grey and Perth Counties all have some form of privately owned day care. He further noted, "We're one of the few counties in Ontario that doesn't have some form of subsidized day care." A recorded vote was called. Those who voted against the deletion of the day care budget were Grey Reeve Leona Armstrong, Warden Bob Bell, Seaforth Reeve William Bennett, Clinton Reeve Bee Cooke, Goderich Township Deputy Reeve Laurie Cox, West Wawanosh Reeve Cecil Cranston, Hullett Reeve Tom Cunningham, Hay Depu- ty Reeve Claire Deichert, Goderich Deputy Reeve John Doherty, Zurich Reeve Robert NEWAMT 600 CarriesabIg a small f price $3995.00 • John Deere AMT 600 All Materials 7Yansport features 600 pound pay- load capacity on level ground.. • Adapts to many jobs. • Landscaping. • ' Plant maintenance. • Construction. • Hunting, trapping, fishing. • Grounds care operations. • High flotation, 5 -wheel configu- ration for low ground pressure and stability Nothing Runs • Four-wheel tandem drive for excel- lent traction. • Locking differential for added pulling power. • 1000 pounds of towing capacity. • 8.5 hp (341 cc) gasoline engine. • Tilting 43 x 48 -in. box. • • Automatic transmission with reverse. gear. • Shock absorbing front fork design. • Comfortable saddle seat with back- rest for low fatigue operation. Like a Deere byd Lawn &Garden CENTRE 41111L I JOHN DEERE I BLYTH Filly. 4 N. 523-4244 EXETER H. 4 N. 235-1115 Fisher, Morris Reeve Doug Fraser, Ashfield Reeve Allan Gibson, McKillop Reeve Marie Hicknell, Bayfield Reeve David Johnston, Colborne Reeve Russell Kernighan, Wingham Reeve Bruce Machan, Turnberry Reeve Brian McBurney, Hensall Reeve Jim Robinson, East Wawanosh Reeve Ernest Snell, Blyth Reeve Albert Wasson, Brussels Reeve Gordon Workman, Goderich Reeve Harry Worsell. Voting for the cut were Howick Reeve Gerald D'Arcey, Exeter Deputy Reeve Lossy Fuller, Stephen Deputy Reeve Ken McCann, Usborne Reeve Gerry Prout, Stanley Reeve Clarence Rau, Goderich Township Reeve Grant Stirling and Stephen Reeve Tom Tomes. Councillors agreed that the day care pro- posal would be discussed in greater detail at the April meeting and, while money has been budgeted, the progam still may or may not proceed. Social services budgeting also includes the Huronview capital reserve fund. Councillors discussed at length the preliminary budget which proposed a cut of $25,000 from the Huronview capital fund. The move would take the $150,000 fund, as set in 1987, and reduce it to $125,000. In opposing the cut Deputy Reeve Lossy Fuller of Exeter reminded council, "In the next few years money will have to be put in- to Huronview." It was decided to take $25,000 from the ad- ministration working funds to bring the Huronview budget back to the $150,000 total. Welfare costs down The social services budget also noted a decrease in general assistance welfare payments.' In 1987 some $1,040,828 was budgeted and actual costs came in at $870,815. This year $979,709 has been set aside for welfare payments. Greater employment opportunities in the county was cited as the reason for the decrease in welfare funding. The recreation and cultural services budget of $2,847,270 ($2,812,126 in 1987) prov- ed to be an area of considerable debate for county councillors. A lengthy discussion centered on the dele- tion of a $6,240 grant to the Vanastra. Recreation Centre. Given in previous years, the county funding was cut in the 1988 preliminary budget. Arguments focussed on geography, specifically regarding the municipalities who use or don't use theindoor pool centre. Councillors debated whter facilities, such as Vanastra, should be financed at the coun- ty level, as well as by individual municipalities. Reeve Brian , McBurney of Turnberry Township noted, We all have recreational facilities. We (in Turnberry Township) don't use the swimming pool. You're open- ing the door that everyone who has a losing facility can come to the county for money." Reeve Cunningham suggested that county funding for the Vanastra Recreation Centre was appropriate as many municipal coun- cils do not financially support it. He noted, "It should be a local council decision whether to add to the county grant. It should be up to the municipal council to determine what projects are worthy of piggybacking extra funds. Reeve Tomes noted, "We have the only arena in the county with summer ice. Goderich people and others come to use it. How about a grant for us too . . Reeve Bee Cook of Clinton suggested that people from throughout the county benefit from the Vanastra Recreation Centre, par- ticularly the elderly and the disabled. In a recorded vote, the $6,240 grant was re -instated by an 18 to 12 majority. Those who voted in favor were: Reeve Armstrong, Warden Bell, Seaforth Reeve Bennett, Clinton Reeve Cooke, Goderich Township Deputy Reeve Cox, Hullett Reeve Cunningham, Hay Deputy Reeve Deichert, Goderich Deputy Reeve Doherty, Morris Reeve Fraser, McKillop Reeve Hicknell, Bayfield Reeve Johnston, Colborne Reeve Kernighan, Stanley Reeve Rau, Hensall Reeve Robinson, Goderich Township Reeve Stirling, Blyth Reeve Wasson, Goderich Reeve Worsell. Voting against the Vanastra Rec Centre grant were Brussels Reeve Cranston, Howick Reeve D'Arcey. Zurich Reeve Fisher, Exeter Deputy' Reeve Fuller, Ashfield Reeve Gibson, Wingham Reeve Turn to page 9 .