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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2001-05-30, Page 5Budget TIIE HURON EXPOSITOR, May 30,2001-5 economic development officer may be delayed one year as council debates budget By Scott Hilgendorff Expositor Editor The tate of hiring an economic development officer rcmains unknown as Huron East councillors look for ways to save money in this year's budget that currently sees an increase of about $200,000 from taxpayers' pockets. "I just don't know if we can afford it right now," said McKillop Coun. Sharon McClure. The budget includes $50,000 for an economic development officer, half of what was originally proposed by members of Seaforth's Business Retention and Expansion Committee (B R and E) because the position would only operate for half a year once the budget is approved. "I would like to see it deferred a year until everything is, running smoothly," said Brussels Coun. Greg Wilson, an idea supported by Tuckersmith Coun. Bill DeJong. Instead, Wilson wanted to see money set aside in reserves for new equipment such as firefighting vehicles and road graders, something that is currently not included in the budget. Treasurer Brad Knight said there is some hope there will be a surplus from the five former municipalities that formed Huron East this January that could be put into those reserves. He is currently waiting for final auditor's reports to know what is left from each of those budgets. When members of the B R and E committee pitched the idea to council a little more than a month ago, they described the position as someone who would promote the communities in Huron East, work on attracting both new industry and business and try to help existing businesses with promotions or specific needs to improve their strengths in all five wards in Huron East. However, council focussed much of its discussion on the economic development officer's role to attract new industry. There are currently no promotional packages available for people interested in buying industrial land throughout Huron East. "I don't think it takes $100,000 to put a package together to show someone what lands we have available," said Wilson. Brussels Coun. Joe Seili wondered if it wouldn't make more sense to he working with a realestate agency which would do the work of promoting industrial land for sale to make the sale, suggesting they would put together the necessary packages in order to make the sale. He said the incentive is there for the agencies to try and do a good job with bringing in an industry because that would leave to a need for more homes for future employees and more sales for the agency. Seaforth Coun. Bill Teall said there is no one available full-time selling the communities to business and industry, suggestion administration cannot put together a package fast enough when someone walks in wanting information about available land and services. "Who is going to do that?" he asked. Seili suggested Huron East staff could take • on the responsibility of putting promotional packages together after work on the budget is done. Teall said if there is staff with time to do that, then there's too many employees in Huron East. He said they need to hire the economic development officer on a yearly contract and if there is no indication of any value for the money being paid, the contract would not be renewed. The idea is to budget $100,000 annually: $50,000 for salary and $50,000 in operating expenses. Seili said if they don't get any results from an officer, it would be $100,000 wasted, adding it would take at least three years to start to see any real benefits if there were going to be any. Tuckersmith Coun. Larry McGrath wanted a clearer picture of what and economic development officer's role would be. If it was to just put together promotional packages, he said the money should be put into reserves but if it's to organize events like a moonlight madness sale for businesses in Brussels too, he could see the HURON MASSAGE ITHERAPYcm= Janine Lavoie, B.Sc; RMT For appt. Thurs. Fri. & Sat. call 527-0780 Total Image II benefits of hiring an officer. Deputy Mayor Bernie MacLellan said there is $40.0(X) included in this year's hudget for work in the Vanastra Recreation Complex. That money would not be needed next year, giving them almost half of what would then become a $100,000 budget item for an officer for a full year if they waited until next year's hudget to hire one. He said that would give the B R and E committee time to get more organized with how it wants the position to work. The B R and E committee was formed through a group of local volunteers about five years ago who were concerned about the future of Seaforth after the loss of two major businesses. At the same time, a government program was being set up to form committees in rural areas to help determine needs for attracting and keeping businesses and industries. The local group became the most successful of several pilot B R and E committees set up in the province. For more than a year, the committee has advocated hiring an economic development officer and tried unsuccessfully last year to get a grant that would help cover a large portion of the $100,000 plan for an officer. Committee members thin pitched the idea to Huron East council in April. Mayor Lin Steffler, council's strongest advocate for hiring and economic development officer, said the committee won't be around that long. "They are getting tired. They want to see some commitment from the municipality to keep this going," she said. Her husband is a past chair of the B R and E committee. She suggested council be presented with a presentation from the Huron Business Development Corporation that helps dispel myths about strengths and limitations in Huron County which she believes would help show council the need for an economic development LAWN QUESTIONS? Ca WenicalZ n 524-2424 "Ready for Spring?" NOW IS THE TIME WITH... SPRING SPECIAL We Service All Makes & Models fir Lawn Mowers & String Trimmers - 7 point inspection it Lawn Riders - 10 point inspection Garden Tractors - 10 point inspection it Chain Saws - 6 point inspection RIDING LAWN MOWER SERVICE Includes: • 10 pt. inspection • Charge oil & filters • Grease all bearings •Complete cleaning 4 ZMOLEUCith C dati FARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED 1 1/4 Miles N. of Seaforth www.teamvincent.com 99 Parts Extra officer. Atter hearing the presentation. she said, "If you still believe there's no place for economic development in Huron East, then I will shut up„ She said there are so many other projects for an nfiicer to do beyond putting land packages together. "I know the rural areas Lind it difficult to see a benefit to economic development. but well ask you point blank." it's definitely there," said said Steliler. Stettler, adding as new Council didn't make a business comes in, it adds to decision on whether or not to the tax Kase which helps remove $50,000 for economic everyone. development out of the hudget She also said it's the rural as it continues to work toward areas that are currently finalizing a tax rate. growing as small agricultural Members did agree to hear businesses open where taxes the presentation from the are less. Huron Business Development "Are we ready to cut this Corporation. from the .budget? I might as $HRRf1MS OPEN HOUSE Cover Right is proud to introduce a new line of buildings to this area. Harnois (pronounced Harn-wah) industries from Quebec has been in the greenhouse, and more recently, in the fabric covered building industry since 1958. Locally the Sales Rep. is Larry Thacker, and Installations are done by Bill Wilkins Construction. Join Us Sat., June 2 10 am -3 pm at the Farm of Larry & Diane Henderson, west of Lucknow on Hwy. 86 Coffee & Donuts - ' NOTICE OF PROPOSED BY-LAWS TO STOP UP AND CLOSE AND TO SELL ROAD ALLOWANCES NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, pursuant to the Municipal Act, R.S.O. 1990 Chapter M 45 and other powers enabling, the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Huron East"propnses to enact a By -Laws as described below for stopping up, closing and selling road allowances. The proposed By -Laws and description of the lands affected may be viewed in the Municipality Office of the Corporation of the Municipality of Huron East at the address hereinafter noted. The Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Huron East will head in person or by counsel or agent, any pefson who claims his land will be prejudicially affected by the said by-law and who applies.to be heard at a meeting to be held at the said Municipal Office on the 19th day of June, 2001 at the hour of 7:00 p.m. DATED at the Municipality of Huron East this 23rd day of May, 2001. J.R. McLachlan, Clerk -Administrator Corporation of the Municipality of Huron East, 72 Main Street South Seaforth, Ontario NOK 1 WO By -Law 60-2001 proposes to stop up, close, sell and transfer a road allowance known as Church Street, Hamlet of Egmondville, Tuckersmith Ward, Municipality of Huron East. Please refer to diagram below. By -Law 61-2001 proposes to stop up, close, sell and transfer a road allowance on Plan 22R1046 Part 3, Hamlet of Egmondville, Tuckersmith Ward, Municipality of Huron East. Please refer to diagram below. Road Allowance as proposed by By -Law 60-2001 CON. 2 L• RP. 237 BAYFDILD ST 1L FRONT ST Road Allowance as proposed by By -Law 61-2001 TY z a By-law 62-2001 proposes to stop up, close, sell and transfer a road allowance on Plan 201 between Lot 5 and Lot 6 in the Hamlet of Dublin, McKillop Ward, Municipality of Huron East. Please refer to the diagram below. Id 1 Om $ A1.11110 Road Allowance as proposed by By -Law 62-2001 If "L s r .t 1