HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-02-03, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1999.
AMDSB uses reserves for break-even budget
By Tim Cumming
Special to The Citizen
The public school board for
Perth and Huron Counties is using
$500,000 it had in reserve for
retirement gratuities to break even
on 1998-99 budget estimates for
the Ontario government.
The Avon Maitland District
School Board also removed more
than $393,000 from improvements
and alterations to keep its normal
operation spending to under $129
million.
As well as axing renovation
dollars the board administration
says it's spending $1.4 million less
on capital projects than in previous
years. The administration also
estimates there is an almost
$700,000 reduction in technology
spending, compared to the
combined former boards of Perth
and Huron.
The -board approved budget
estimates on Jan. 26 to avoid being
penalized by the Ontario Ministry
of Education and Training.
Superintendent of Corporate
Operations and Information
Technology, Janet Baird-Jackson,
described budget figures as a
"moving target" due to changes in
the numbers that come from the
Ontario Ministry of Education and
Training.
Many expenses are fixed in
'envelopes' of funding which
prevent the board from putting
more money into its buildings, she
said.
"We don't have the flexibility
we've had in the past."
Under the Ontario government's
recent education reform, school
boards cannot have a deficit or
raise taxes independently.
The board says Ontario
government funding will decrease
by close to $2 million next year and
a further $570,000 in the following
year.
There is no expansion of
programs or services under the
budget except for the Early
Learning Opportunities Grant
estimated at $195,489.
Baird-Jackson thanked residents
for their pressure on the Ontario
government which resulted in a
promise of a top-up to spending the
next school year.
Outgoing Superintendent ot
Business Marilyn Marklevitz noted
that in future years the board can't
use income from such areas as the
sale of administrative buildings,
which netted the board more than
$1 million.
The board was told there are
problems with the ministry's efforts
to regroup figures into their new
categories. The problems,
according to a report to the board,
are amalgamating two financial
systems into one and new ministry
reporting formats.
An independent study of the
public schools in Perth and Huron
"to keep the heat in and the rain
and snow out" was completed for
the board from October through
December by an architect,
mechanical, electrical and
structural engineers and board
facilities staff. Repair work was
labeled by priority, depending upon
whether it needed immediate
attention or could be done at a later
date.
The board says it needs about
$27 million over 10 years, or $2.7
million a year, to keep its schools
in good shape, according to the
study. The board will have less
revenue than that, however, at an
estimated $2 million this year and
$2.4 million the following year in
facilities funding, according to
Baird-Jacksop.
The $27 million figure doesn't
include 'discretionary' items such as
accessibility and ventilation, which
would be another $5 million over
10 years.
The board has no money, it says,
for any renovations to improve
school laboratories, gymnasiums or
to renovate for programs like junior
kindergarten.
Brussels Legion asks council for tax break
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
An integral part of the Brussels
community is suffering and has
asked council to help ease the pain.
Rick McDonald, president of the
Brussels Legion attended the Ecb. 1
Hospitals
After a nation-wide search, four
of five vice-presidents appointed to
the Huron Perth Hospitals Partner
ship are from Huron and Perth
Counties.
Janice Cosgrove, former admin
istrator for Clinton Public Hospital,
will add South Huron and Alexan
dra Marine and General Hospital
to her duties.
Andrew Williams will give up
Seaforth Community for St. Marys
Memorial Hospital which he wjjl-
oversee in conjunction with Strat
ford General.
The multi-site administrator for
Seaforth-Community, Listowel
Memorial and Wingham and Dis
trict has not yet been determined.
The other two vice-presidents,
John Sutherland and Barry
Mun. tackle restructuring
While municipalities in North
Huron struggle to find ways to
amalgamate, the task is going no
more smoothly to the south.
As Hcnsall, Bayfield and Zurich
and the Twps. of Stanley, Hay,
Tuckcrsmilh begin to work out
what needs to be done to amalga
mate after a 12-monlh hiatus from
the task, councillors arc trying to
work out just how many municipal
buildings arc needed, where they
should be and who will work
where.
A consultant suggested one
office in centrally-located Varna. If
there was not enough room, the fire
chief could move to a fire hall, the
road superintendent could work
from the works building and a
recreational director could be
housed al an arena.
However, Hay Twp. Reeve Jim
Love is strongly encouraging the
group to consider a north and south
office instead of adding to the
Vama building to accommodate the
new council.
There was a suggestion from
Bayfield Reeve Doug Grant that
there should be no worry about lack
of space as "the municipal office
will shrink because we'll eventually
meeting to ask for a tax break. He
explained that with many of the
province's branches in financial
trouble, Ontario Command told
branches to pursue this option with
their municipal councils.
"While it may seem strange to
have me here asking for a tax cut,
hire V-Ps
Cameron, will deal with the $100
million budget and human
resources.
Cameron, the director of human
resources at Stratford General was
appointed to the human resources
and organizational development
position for the eight-hospital part
nership.
Interim Director of Finance
Sutherland will assume the duties
of vice-president of finance and
information management.
All position will become effec
tive Feb. 1.
The five vice-presidents, along
with CEO Bonnie Adamson,
appointed late last year, will over
see strategic planning, regional sys
tem alliances and integrated clinical
program planning.
be one-tier."
Further to the south, the munici
palities of Stephen and Usborne
Twps. and Exeter are working
towards amalgamating as the Town
of South Huron.
Delegates attended a Hay Twp.
council meeting recently to discuss
the possible annexation of land
around Exeter's landfill site and
cemetery as well as the north half
of the police village of Dashwood
which currently pays taxes to Hay
Twp.
To the north, groups for amalga
mation have not yet been set as
several municipalities try to deter
mine which direction to go.
Though it has been reported that
Colbornc Twp. has been talking
with Clinton and Hullelt and
Goderich Twp., they recently met
with the Town of Goderich to look
al options.
Though nothing has been set,
there arc plans for continued talks.
Colbornc Twp. Councillor Doug
Fines said the Goderich grouping
was a better fit than to go with
Clinton, Ashficld Twp. and West
Wawanosh Twp., because "inter
ests flow' naturally" between the
two.
Treasurer Donna White said she
did not know what happens with
the county portion of the lax bill.
This total is $1,181. "This may
become an expense for you as
well," she told council.
She said she would investigate
the matter further and inform coun
cil at the next meeting.
After McDonald left, Councillor
Greg Wilson expressed verbal sup
port for the Legion. "I just hear
rumours, but the Legion is in dire
trouble. The bar doesn't carry it
anymore and they fundraise like
crazy, but can't get ahead. The
community would miss it if it was
to close. It's a good facility, a new
facility. Il's not a dump."
then tomorrow you see we've made
a donation, the money we raise
from the Nevada ticket sales must
be used for such things as support
of minor sports," said McDonald.
Parents fight Madill demolition
The battle to maintain the integri
ty of F.E. Madill Secondary School
is being waged on all fronts.
Children and parents from Brus
sels arc fighting boundary changes
with Seaforth Secondary School
and Wingham, the town's residents
residents are intent on preventing
1999 BUSINESS REUIEWS "Information Directory”
Lyons & Mulhern 524-5222
!> Financial Services Ltd. 48r-W^st Sh
'____ ___ __ Goderich
financial strategies—successful retirementw “HELPING CANADIANS ACHIEVE FUTURE FINANCIAL SECURITY"
to combining the products you need with personal service. Bi' 7bwi
Financial planning in Canada is getting more difficult every year. As the average Canadian
struggles to meet the demands of daily life, there is less and less time to manage these affairs.
Successful investing can be a full-time job, which requires discipline, Education, detailed
knowledge of the market, and experience in providing valuable, independent investment advice.
LYONS & MULHERN FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD. will show you how to put your
money to work in productive and creative ways that enable Canadians from all walks of life to
ensure financial security and prosperity tomorrow. They will take the time to understand your
personality, lifestyle and financial situation, then formulate and implement a plan to achieve
your personal financial goals.
LYONS & MULHERN FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD associated with FARM
MUTUAL FINANCIAL SERVICES is an Independent Broker offering a broad range of
personalized solutions designed to meet the total financial needs of clients and their families.
Financial Services Manager, DEAN WHALEN, provides advice for Asset and Retirement
Planning, Tax Planning Strategies, Estate Planning, Education Planning, RRSP's, RRIF’s,
Mutual Funds, Segregated Funds, Government Bonds, GIC’s, NISA accounts as well as Life
and Disability Insurance.
The priority of many this RRSP season should be to review and revisit or develop your
investment strategy before making your annual contribution. Segregated and Mutual funds with
their wide range of options and outstanding flexibility continue to be the investment of choice for
a whole generation of RRSP investors. LYONS & MULHERN FINANCIAL SERVICES
LTD n ensure that you get the proper type and combination of investments to secure your
financial future. They have the expertise to help you maximize the potential of your portfolio.
March 1st is the deadline for RRSP contributions which could reduce your 1998 taxes.
Call LYONS & MULHERN FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD today, where they are
committed
The Branch has looked at many
options on cutting costs, he said,
including some which bother them
on a moral level. Noting that "We
now have an operating deficit of
about $8,000 and can’t seem to get
ahead," McDonald added that con
sideration is being given to such
things as insurance coverage from a
non-local broker if it is cheaper.
Also, he said, they have to con
sider buying items in larger centres
if they can be obtained at a lower
price than locally. "We have to
look at it. We really don't want to
take the business out of town," said
McDonald. He added that the pre
sent insurance broker has been car
rying the Legion for some time.
"We hate to have to get coverage
elsewhere but if the estimate comes
in $3,000 cheaper we have no
choice."
Taxes and insurance are, McDon
the demolition of the 1954 math
wing.
The school advisory council will
be sending a letter to the Avon
Maitland District School Board
stating opposition.
Noting Wingham's growth poten
tial, Council Chair Art Clark ques
tioned the future effect on the town.
ald said the biggest culprits hurting
the Legion. Insurance, "just to keep
the building open", is $6,000.
Also, much of the equipment in
the building is at the replacement
stage and within the next year,
McDonald said, a new roof will
likely be needed.
"Other organizations like the
Optimists and Lions don't have a
building to upkeep," said McDon
ald. "And I wouldn't recommend
it."
Asking the village to write off
the taxes was "something I didn't
feel we should be asking, but one
of the things I had to do," McDon
ald said.
The village's share of the Legion
tax bill is $1,115. They cannot be
exempted from the $920 bill for
education or the $186 for local
improvement. However Clerk-
ON $3.00 THURSDAYS
Drop Into either of our offices any Thursday
with your word classified (maximum 20 words)
and pay only $3.00 (paid In advance).
That's $1.00 off regular rates
C itizen
(■■■'■ .■ ’ :--J -v 1 1 i