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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1987-07-08, Page 5Exeter council brief Urges strong loyal focus in county structure While presenting several sugges- tions in a nine -page brief to the minister of municipal affairs' review of county government structure, Ex- eter council has emphasized that the __eommitte receiving the reports from across the province, should recognize the need for strong local government. In fact, at the outset of the report, the local council termed it a "serious error" that the minister has not plac- ed any representative on the commit; - tee from small urban municipalitieS. It noted the government com it - tee's lack of such representation from the small urban sector could produce an unbalanced approach and possibly a lack of valuable input as 180 towns and villages should have been represented. "Indeed the final report, regardless of its merits, could be suspect because of the minister's oversight." Council also argued that the local \municipality is the "first level.' of government and there are unfor- tunate connotations in the designa- tions of upper tier and lower tier. "The/local municipality is where the direct contact with taxpayers is est I9tisfed: it is Frere tfia`tflie specific needs of the people are recognized; and it is 'here where citizens have an. immediate direct line of communica- tions,to their representatives," it con- tinues, saying that the local municipality is paramount and that the county --the second level of govermnent--is in place to provide a co-ordinated approach to program- mes not feasible at the local level. The report highlights continue as follows: In the letter introducing this review, several topics for considera- tion were presented. We are pleased to present our position on these topics. The Council of Exeter hopes, however, this is not a prelude to some .notion that regionalization would be the ideal form of government. For specific reasons, we would oppose, in our case, the imposition of regional government on the grounds that - 1) Local autonomy would be lost. 2) The cost and thus the increase in property taxation would be burdensome. 3) The services may not be any bet- ter than presently provided by local governments. 4) The ability to respond promptly to individual problems could be lost in bureaucratic red tape. 5) The development initiatives of in- dividual local councils could be undermined. 6) The development of individual municipalities would proceed only at the pleasure of the regional council, to the potential creation of pockets of second rate communities. and ' .7) if the present provincial govern- ment should move in this direction, it would be contrary to the position its .party held for many years in oppos- ing this form of government. Representation issues There have been suggestions that the representative from a town sit- ting on county council should be the mayor. We recognize the reason behind the suggestion: however, this proposition ignores the reality of the demands on the position of a mayor. The mayor 01 a town, by virtue of this office, sits on alt standing com- mittees, is a member of the police commission or committee, is a member of the Public Utilities Com— mission, and also is a member of many other committees and boards. In our/ town, the mayor holds a demanding full-time job. To request a Mayor to represent the town at county could prevent. many highly -qualified people from seeking office because of the time demands. Can -we ask local citizens to forfeit a part of their livelihood for their community? Should a municipality be asked to provide a mayor from only certain available people --those who are retired and also are financially in- dependent? Should a municipality be required to provide a full-time mayor with the adherent costs to satisfy a county position? We believe not. The present policy of representa- tion to county council takes into con- sideration the burden of a mayor. We would suggest that the representation should be left to the local council to decide, with flexibility, to selectits representatives. • County council's size appears to be a fit topic for review. Size of council may be important to controlling costs. however, the most important question that requires attention and action is equitable representation. it is not pro- per to consider reducing the number of county council members by reduc- ing the multiple members from a municipality. Those suggesting the raising of the minimum electors a member represents before an added voice is granted, distorts the voting strength of a municipality and therefore broadens the inequity. It is important to note that the fun- ding of a county in part is derived from property taxes. Therefore. the actions of a county budgetimpact directly upon the local property tax- payer. A more equitable method of representation must be found if prjo- perty owners are to be afforded pito- per protection through representation. - If there is a desire to reduce coun- ty government to one representative per municipality and a desire to pro- vide equitable representation, then we would propose a system of multi- ple votes to reflect population shifts. Since budgets developed at the coun- ty level are selected from suggested programme needs, a balanced representation must be found not on- ly on the budget committee but on county council. As this committee is aware. farm property owners. presently receive tax support of sixty percent (60) from the provincial governemtn to assist and support their costs. We do not ob- ject to this direct assistance to a farmer; however, the same support is not available to urban property owners. Home, commercial and in- dustrial owners in urban com- munities, therefore. must have a representative mechanism to protect their interests. We believe a formula can be and should be developed that takes into account the inequitable representation problem presently confronting the system. Direct sub- sidy programmes can impact upon budget deliberations and, therefore, Ad Adios Santis': AT QUILT SHOW Veronica Holzamer and curator Bob Tremain check attendance figures at Saturday's annual quilt show at the Lamb - T -A photo ton Heritage Museum. Visscher Farms Country Market Cauliflower & Broccoli Now featuring Fresh baked pies, tarts and muffins Special this week Fresh Apple Pie S3°° each Fresh Sweet Corn is now arriving Cherries . Beans Blueberries Alsb Tomatoes Cabbage Cheese .lams Honey Open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily Thursday & Friday 9 - 8 p.m. Closed Sundays 3 miles west of Exeter on Hwy. 83 Phone 237-3442 a equitable representation must be a high priority. It is important that a municipality alwajs have suitable representation to c"aunty council! If each municipali- ty has the power to select its own representative as we've already sug- gested, then a representative who is incapacitated for one reason or another should be replacedby motion of the affected municipality. In summary, it is Exeter's opinion that - 1) Municipalities, through their councils. should have the responsibili- ty to choose their county represen- tative(s). 2) Representation be developed through a formula that recognizes population as a base so that equity within the system is established. 3► Substitution should be allowed to local municipalities on county council. Functions This brief has previously stated that the "firs( level" of government is the local municipality. It is therefore necessary that the minister develop a county system that mandates coun- ty responsibility and programmes outside the local municipality's jurisdiction. There is not a clear pic- ture of what responsibilities a coun- ty undertakes. There isn't any legisla- tion that articulates the mandate of a county council. Exeter's position clearly indicter that there should not be duplicated services, not only for reason of costs but also for overlapp- ing of responsibilities. If a programme outside the man- dated programmes is made available by the county to local municipalities, it must, by law, be provided equally to each and every municipality. The local municipality should have the choice of joining these programmes . and if it chooses an alternate route, it should not be required to fund the county programme. Exeter wishes to see a county system that recognizes the equity to all participants in the county as its first priority. It is -Exeter council's opinion that new powers should not be granted - ie. policing and economic development to county government. It is our strong feeling that these responsibilities are within the local municipality's jurisdiction and can best be handled at this level. We believe the specific needs are ((lore accurately inter- preted by localgovernments where the need arises. If the local municipality wishes to contract these services, then it is its decision. The control will still remain at the local level. The idea of centralizing services may have value if one had some substantive information with respect to purchasing. 'computers. staff. training and development. Your let- ter, listing these examples, opens a new level of operations! The implica- tion also suggests the centralization feature would be better. We are not sure of this conclusion without a com- prehensive study and costing analysis. We would therefore object to this development if it were to take away from local municipalities their autonomy in the decision process. The role of inter -municipal agreements within and between coun- ties could be beneficial for it could provide for a complete assessment of. costs versus automatically providing a programme. This procedure should add to the accountability of the pro- gramme on a regular basis due to renewal agreements. We believe (his approach to the function of a county government fits perfectly the role the county should provide: a role of sup- port and collective action for local municipalities. To recap Exeter council's response t ► There is a need to mandate coun- ty responsibilities clearly. 2) Programmes outside the man- dated area should be provided through agreements with local governments. •3) Powers such as policing. economic development. building code enforcement, planning, etc., should remain at the local municipal level. 4) Centralization of services may provide cost savings and should be investigated. 5) Municipal agreements could be an alternate method for county opera- tions through contractural arrangements. Financial The centralizing of financial ser- vices - ie. borrowing and debenturing may have possibilities: however, to be a part of this service would only be worthwhile if savings could accrue. . The allocation of costs, it appears to us, could be connected to the cen- tralizing of financial services and therefore would accentuate the need to be competitive. We believe the whole area of financial services should rest primarily at (he local level but an option could be made available through the county. It is our opinion that the suggestion merits further study. The motion of 'special requisitions' . requires further clarification. Special requisitions must not he placed on a municipality after the taxation re- quirements are set. What needs would require special requisitions? What voting practices would allow for thin situation to occur? To recap our financial response. we believe 'that - . ' - 1) The centralizing of services might offer savings: however the choice of joining the programme should be ' left to the local municipalities. - 2) Special requistions could be a dangerous option. Mr. Chairman and committee ,urembers. in summary. we wish to emphasize the following points: 1) The responsibilites and position of local government should be main- tained and strengthened for the bet- terment of each municipality. 2► A clear defined and mandated responsibility for county government must be developed so that there is no confusion of or intrusion into the responsibilities of other jurisdictions. 3 i The option for local governments to join or not to join programmes out- side the mandated responsibilities 01 a county should be clearly set forth in law. 4► A method of equitable represen- tation must be found. 5► The maturity of local govern- ments should be recognized by allow- ing them to choose their .represen- tative to county council. Within the letter outlining the terms of reference for this review. statements were made to the effect the counties themselves recognize the need to consider additional respon- sibility for waste management and emergency planning. With reference to waste management, the province has imposed a ver'j' expensive site selection process that has made it vir- tually impossible for a small municipality to bear the cost. Indeed the joint effort under a coun ty umbrella could be feasible: however i,n-front costs must not be duplica, d in providing a joint survey again our belief that the type of programme, the approach to the programme and the resulting cost sharing will dictate participation. Unless the provincial government recognizes this costly procedure, we may be forced into agreement detrimental to the financial health of a municipality. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. we thank you for this op- portunity to present Exeter's case. We have outlined our concerns and suggestions as requested by your let- ter. We again repeat that we strong- ly believe this committee should recognize the need for strong local government. It is important to On- tario that the competitive municipal spirit is retained. It is also important to recognize that a continuing, co- operative and supportive atmosphere is maintained at all levels of govern- ment. An early indication of the minister's desires to foster this co- operative and supportive atmosphere - would be to remove the terms "upper tier and lower tier". These termsdo not advance the proper atmosphere. The present system does need clarification and we support this need. We would expect the process will be open for continuing discus- sions, debate and input. As a sugges- tion towards openers. we would hope your report to the minister would be made available to all participants. We therefore request a copy of your report. - Thank fou. Respectfully submitted. Council - Town of Exeter B.F. Shaw - Mayor Times -Advocate, July 8, 1987 Page 5 i BACK TO MOUNT CARMEL - Talking about old times at the weekend Centennial at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church are Sister Cecilia Hogan, Woodstock; Joan Dietrich, Lucan and Ursuline Sister Margaret Rose. 7483 T -A photo Promotion Announced Marlene West Branch Manager The promotion of Marlene West to Branch Manager. London region is announced by John Reddick, Sales Director. Blue Cross of Ontario. This promotion reflects Marlene's proven ability to develop group benefit programs with employers in the London area, and her outstanding contribution to the growth of Blue Cross. Marlene West is located in the London Office 371 Dutierin Avenue London, Ontario N6B 1Z5 te 519-439-0136 BLUE CROSS KEivrucKY FLIED CHICKEN HASTE-IE COOLEST BAR IN • >.pa^Gr ivP art,- This summer when you come into Kentucky Fried Chicken in;rand t3end you're in for the coolest dessert in town. Our new Pecan Crunch. The ice cream bar topped with caramel, crunchy -pecans and smothered in r.4 a chocolatey coating. We know it's a taste you're gonna love. Next time you come in for a deli- cious hot meal of Kentucky Fried Chicken, try the coolest bar in town. Pecan Crunch.' COME IN AND CRUNCH A COLD ONE. WINS 221 Main St. N., Exeter 31 Ontario St. N., Grand Bend 1