HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-06-24, Page 13County examining procedures
sun media
Huron County councillors are
gearing up to review how the county
conducts business.
Thanks to a motion approved at
the county's June 17 committee -of -
the -whole session, councillors are
set to hear presentations from each
of the department managers in order
to garner a better understanding of
the budgeting process and adminis-
trative procedures.
Other subjects, like cost-cutting
measures and consultants, proved
to be a bone of contention for some
councillors.
Coun. Bernie MacLellan (Huron
East) questioned the fairness of ask-
ing department managers to report
back on problems and deficiencies.
"They shouldn't come back with
anything that is wrong because they
should have changed it already,"
says MacLellan, likening the process
to asking a unionized' shop whether
there,are too many' workers.
"Don't put them through it," urged
MacLellan, adding it would make
more sense to use an "external
source" even if there is a substantial
cost involved.
"If it saves money, it's worth it,"
he says.
Coun. Deb Shewfelt (Goderich)
says the process is about a number of
factors, including finding out which
programs and federal and provin-
cial governments mandate services.
He argues it makes sense to ask the
managers since a consultant would
be asking them the same questions.
Coun. Dorothy Kelly (Morris
Turnberry) noted council already
opted not to hire a consultant, though
Chief Administrative Officer Larry
Adams pointed out it is still an op-
tion since no motion was made to
that effect.
County Warden Ken Oke (South
Huron) supported the idea of seek-
ing input from managers and then to
move forward with a consultant if
necessary.
Coun. James Fergusson (Bluewa-
ter) also spoke out in favour of the
process.
"I think this is a start. Let's get on
with it," he said.
Coun. Ben Van Diepenbeek (Ash-
field-Colborne-Wawanosh) also fa-
vours the plan.
"Most of us don't have the will to
spend $300,000 to $500,000 on a
consultant," he said.
Ontario Works' recipients on the rise
Cheryl Heath
sun media
Things are tough all over.
That was the word from social ser-
vices director Dave Overboe June 17
during Huron County's committee -
of -the -whole session.
In releasing statistics on Ontario
Works' recipients, subsidized hous-
ing waiting lists and related issues,
Overboe reports all numbers are up.
Though only three new cases were
added to the Ontario Works' roll for
the past month, Overboe says that
figure could be more of an indication
of available seasonal employment
rather than the halt to a steadily in-
creasing caseload.
"The recovery from that 504 (col-
lecting OW) may take awhile .... a
small growth is still a growth," he
says.
Barb Hall, housing -services man-
ager, reports there is a 20.15 per cent
increase in demand for subsidized
housing in the county as the waiting
list now stands at 232 people.
"We're going to see those numbers
spike," she says.
Hall also reports that county -run
housing anrars now stand at 2.96 per
cent, up from the usual two per cent.
She adds that the current hard times
ca`n also be credited for the number
of landlord and tenant board hearings
under way. Indeed, says Hall, the tri-
bunal is so busy it has increased the
number of days it sits in order to meet
the demand.
Coun. Ben Van Diepenbeek
(Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh)
wondered whether there was any as-
sistance available. to those in private
housing that can't make ends meet.
Hall notes +there is a rent -bank
program but it can only be accessed
once every two years. Plus, there are
a number of criteria that must be met
in order to qualify for it.
Coun.,John Grace (Goderich) pre-
dicts things will get a lot worse before
there is an economic turnaround.
He advised administrators to work
together so the county is prepares to
meet the need created by plant clo-
sures.
Grace suggests the county should
perhaps consider socking more
money away for social services "and
less in roads because of the situation
• we're in."
SANDWICH OUT
Perhaps a sandwich?
Coun. Neil Rintoul's (Ashfield-
Colborne-Wawanosh) request to
bring sandwiches into committee -of -
the -whole meetings was met with the
proverbial sound of chirping crick-
ets.
In making the suggestion, Rintoul
says by providing a snack, commit-
tee meetings could continue along at
a speedier pace as opposed to break-
ing an hour for lunch. Rintoul adds
the ratepayers he's talked to "don't
care" if the county provides lunches
for councillors.
Chief Administrative Officer
Lary Adams noted such a move
would require a two-thirds vote of
council to revisit the issue since
county council recently eliminated
its $15,000 annual lunch budget. No
one bit at the chance to reopen the
discussion.
Later; Coun: Dave Johnston (Blue -
water) expressed frustration when
the COW ran past the designated 12
o'clock lunchtime. In announcing he
was leaving due to health concerns,
Johnston says the county should stick
to its decisions. COW chairman Bill
Dowson (Bluewater) notes he asked
councillors several times if they
wanted to break for lunch but the ma-
jority of them suggested continuing.
on since the agenda was almost done.
As it stood, however, a special coun-
cil meeting was set for the afternoon
to deal with some housekeeping is-
sues in need of addressing.
The COW broke for lunch at 12:30
but not before raising the ire of a
smattering of councillors including
Joseph Seili (Huron Fast), who origi-
nally asked for the cost breakdown of
county -covered lunches.
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Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - Page A13
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