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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-02-12, Page 2Page 2 Times -Advocate, February 12, 1997 IN THF. 111F.iNS Regional. wrap up Library likely to stay put MITCHELL - A short meeting confirmed the Mitchell- Public Library is likely to remain where it is. reported the Mitchell Advocate. ' . Eight, concerned residents at- tended the meeting where a few spoke .in favor of keeping the 89 -year-old Carnegie building at its. current 100 St. Andrew St. location. - The support comes after coun- cil heard the report of an.archi- feet, that `outlined a five-year plan to upgrade the facility. The first option _ included a ,1.400 sdt.lt. ,addition at a cost of S300.000 while a second potent.. 'Pally Jess expensive plan was to join the library at Mitchell Dis- trict High School ,- • /\ ,petition of 230 signatures representing people who favor keeping the Library at its "con- venienl" downtown location. t Hospital agrees to alliance. CLINTON - Clinton Public- ' I'fo.pital and the .London Health Sciences Centre -have entered . inti' 1 partnership as the result of a."unique strategic alliance." re- ports e-p arts the Clinton News -Record: • The Clinton Hospital board of directors will continue as a poli- cy-making body, hut manage=, meet and operation will be dele- gatedto LHSC. This agreement follows the. resignation of Clin- ton Hospital Executive Director Allan Hall. --According to chair of the Lon- don Board: Ross Batson. the alli ancc. tvith,the assistance from London. will ensure high quality care in the Huron -Perth .area.., Goderich wants original proposal reinstated GODERICH - Staff and board of the Goderich's Alexandra Marine and General Hospital want the original eight hospital'. proposal 'to be reinstated. re- ports the Goderich Signal -Star. The hospital recommends.the 'District Health Council Task Force reinstate the bed distribu- tion proposed and endorsed by the eight Huron -Perth hospitals. Under the preferred option. re- leased on Jan. 27, the DHC eliminated 34 bods front Huron County while adding 31 to Perth. • Goderich lost 12 of 71 beds proposed in the hospital's option. Board members are con- cerned the reduction "will in- hibit our ability to continue to provide the speciality services that we have provided...in the past," stated a recent press re- lease. Former councillor wins open seat -CLINTON - Dan Colquhoun returned to Clinton Coui1 it last Monday night after winning an open seat vacated by Burt Lobb, reported the Clinton News - Record. Colquhoun served on council for two terms and was among six candidates who applied to fill the seat. The new councillor has six years of experience with coun- cil, serving from 1988-91 and 1991-94. He did not run for a seat in the last election. Committee may hire amalgamation consultant •• Continued from front page council would consist of one mayor and nine counsellors. H is . sug- gested council meet- twice each month and that three standing com- mittees be' established to include administration • and finance, plan- • ning and development, . and trans- portation. Each former area would be represented on the new council and overall costs for elected of- ficials -may be reduced. .Dis- advantages'include the perception :-that there would be a loss of ac- countability and representation due to the decrease in the number of elected officials. Also, local con- cerns Way not he 'adequately rec- ognized. At 'Thursday's meeting, some 'wondered about the fate of - existing committees as well as the. responsibility, of :individuals ex- pected to sit on many committees and attend their meetings. Bayfield Councillor Doug Grant said sucha person would have to he "a very committed individual." adding it may not be necessary to attend all. meetings. ` . "1 think you're going to spread yourselves awfully thin." remarked • Hay .Township Deputy Reeve Jim. Love. • . Bill Carnochan, Reeve of Tuck- ersmith :Trt nship. replied the com- mittee t led similar sized. mu- nicipalities who claim the method work: form them, , adding amal- gamation would- he time -saving tether than time-consuming. -. General Government • Administration Status • Quo: Each . rn,unicipality wouikl continue to employ 11..5 of- lice staff among the six Mun cipal- C#ties.• Advantages include -heing Iosde to - Citizens white dis- advantages include the perception there IS .d surplus of administrative 'staff and that functions -could he provided at a lower cost.-. ,Also.. • there is limited specialized knowl- edge. • : , - - ,Amalgamation: ft is suggested'a- total administrative, staff of eight • • would -he. required- for the -.amal- gamated municipality. Staff would., • include a CAO -clerk. treasurer/tax collector, - -deputy clerk/ • adritinistrative' assistant.'. deputy ,treasurer/senior . accountant. three accounting staff and one secretary.• . The committee recomn}ends one office t,< used'and all others closed: - Advantages to such a scenario in- clude a reduction in the number of administrative staff and • consistent. policies as well as an increased -lev- el of. expert' se and savings. How- ever. there may be' a loss, ofefa- miliarity with taxpayers as well as an increased travelling distance'to a centralized office. • Transportation Services Public Works Status Quo: The .14 -member. full-time staff includes.six road su= perintendents. As well. there are five par -time laborers. Maintaining this -staff level would have its ad- vantages since they are familiar with municipalities and roads. As well. they ,know the level of service and- road costs. Disadvantages in- .. elude the fact this setup may not be the most efficient• use'of staff and equipment resources: - Amalgamation: A. total of I full -tinge staff is suggested.. Staff would include one road super- intendent rather than six. Three sheds would he required in Stan- ley. Tuckersmith and Hay. with the result .that Bayfield; Hensall and Zurich sheds would he eliminated: Also, the amount .of equipment would be reduced." it looks like the committee' has proposed a reduction in services." remarked Brian Johnson. a Bay- . field "councillor...Let's_ make sure answers are ."based in, fact, not in theory." •.' - . . Carnochan-replied the committee feels the same 44vel of service will be -provided under amalgamation. • "The service ` to the ratepayers should he seamless." he said. Questions • were also directed as downsizing costs and snow re- moval priorities; to which the -com- mittee did not have answers. Waste Management Status Quo: Each municipality would continue to operate under existing agreements with familiar cosis..The committee -feels current practices may fail to provide -the most effective. efficient service. Shared Service: -. Advantages would include economies of scale in tendering contract services of landfill operations. -:Disadvantages include the: -coordination and use of four sites -as opposed to one. As - well., swell. the committee sees a re- sulting "rural/urban attitude to- wards • waste management and the cost of the service." .amalgamation:" The committee. -which believes in a waste mar- agerrtent/recycling, user pay' :v:= tem. suggests purchasing , co - collection services on a variable _pick up basis throughout' the anal gamation municipality. it is also .suggested the ekisting landfill sites he used one' at a l:ine ;until each reaches its capacity white Tuck: ersmith and Ba,ytietd would cotn- tinue.to use .the -Mid -Huron site., . Such a setup may. - increase the lifespan �f the • sites. tower'°landtill opeating costs. Standardize the ley-. el of service and enhance the use of an, alternative facility to handle ot-" panic w aste. ' 1-ioweser., as with the- . option j of shared services. the cotn- minee rears-- a "rural/urhan' at tituiie." i', fiensal I. Council Idr Jeff Reahurn questioned the feasibility of usitif one' landfill site at a time. poiinting.. out such' a. -method would inr:rease transportation ,;osis. The cominittee suggested use, of -landfills may be�- '.switched.every five to.si.x years. • Fire Protection -„ Status Quo: The six inunicipal- ities: which are involved with-vari= ow- tire :agreements.' enjoy a fa- miliar level of -service. and costs. • However: there fs a lack of stan- dard procedures as well as a large number of tire agreements and public confusion, over- responding departments. t 'Shared Services: An expansion of service areas may result in cpst savings -:due to revised agreements or. on the other hand, a lack Of star dard operating procedures. - Amalgamation: The . ommrttee, agrees the standard radius- of re- sponse should be within 7.5 miles . of a tire -hall. It suggests Zurich. Bayfield. Hensall and Brut:eficld- tire halls. remain active. There may he a need to hire a full-time Fire Chief for the amalgamated area. As • well. wages would he' standard- ized. Advantages include potential cost saving's due to the reduction in the purchase of service from de= partment_outside the amalgamated- . area. As well. there may he an in- creased level. of service in training. inspections • and tire prevention. - Pooling of equipment may also. he of benefit. The main disadvantage. however, is the belief there will he• a decreased level of service due to the proxinnty to local tire halls. • - "You.ve got to go by road..You • can't go by what the crow flies." pointed out Love. "There's •.no sense -coming in here an. saying you're going to save $50.000 or $100.000" and have less service: .. it was pointed Out many .treas, are within 'a five -utile radius with only a few places located on the outer fringes. Planning/Zoning/Community • Development Status Quo: A professional -plain= ner would continue to he priwidcd by -the County of Huron- on a - . chartiehack basis at low Cost. with a.familiar level of service. How- , ever. due to' workload. ,zoning ad-. ministrator duties may not receive .'required attention` • Shared .Services: Hiring a ion • ing administrator among the- mu nicipalities may ' provide ,an in- . creased level of • service and -expertise However.' there may he . increased costs for service currently provided by -the clerk -treasurer. amalgamation: ,Since. a staff person ,would be given some. re- sponsihrlities._ it would allow more. ' Ioc 4 .control over some functions ' .as' well as an increased level of ser- ' vice 'and better Masan with .the County Planning Department Yet there would also he increased costs for nluncipalities-not.cufn:ntly in- volved in coinmunity dovelopnicni. , . Chief Building Official ' , Status Quo/Shared Services: Duties of the , hief building•ofticial within the sex niunieipalittek are di • - vidcd bet•.ceen • two contract posi- tion: ,)n an."as... needed" basis. keeping costs to a- minimal... lis- ' advantages include. no ,,;pntinuity in 'permit ides anal pi)licie`.'-The comninicu feels-the:level..of ser- vice , urFcir' prot,icled is not ac- -_emp ahie f,,r .dl .:xrcnded period •)f rimy" amalgamation: Fees could he Standardised and Ute' utter pay . sy - teni cliult3 he implemented with a - reduction in cost. .->11 inspector would he ,.t.ailahle iti jail areas. .throughout the week; more training could he provided and standard by- laws could he enforced:; . By-law Enforcement and ' Animal Control j • Status Quo: At a very low cost. . these :services are .provided on a piece -meal ' hasis. ,Llano of the six niunlcrpaliucs include by-law en- forcement with services -provided - bv the chief. hullding official, -A main disadvantage is.. most areas are not being .erViced at an accept-. able level. ' Shared Services: increased at: tendon and greater eApertise would be possible: However. due to the, total area insolved. sharing one in- dividual would be difficult. Provincial changes cost Huron County $12 million By John Greig • Advance -Times Staff 'HURON COUNTY - Huron County taxpayers are out S12 mil- lion in the recent changes in re- sponsibilities for government ser- vices announced by the province. Huron County Treasurer Ken Nix presented the numbers ,Ken county council last Thursday at its regular February meeting. ' • The figure includes increased costs to/lower tier municipalities as well as the county. ' The S12 million is only an esti- mate, Nix said.• and there remain many factors to work out. The province has also► set up a SI Killion 'community reinvestment fund' to help those hardest hit by the chang- es. As well, $800 million has been set aside for capital costs incurred during the changeover in responsi- bilities. Municipalities have received lit- tle infomtation from the province about how the massive changes, to come into effect Jan. 1. 1998. will work. The province took funding of ed- ucation off the residential tax bill, to a tune of $27 million for the county. • Nix said other Targe costs need to be planned fur an the future as the provine will ntt longer be funding capital sewer and water programs. ai it has"in the past. That's now en- tirely a municipal responsibility. Cour. Mason Bailey of Blyth said he has many concerns. about commercial property owners, who will continue to have to pay for ed- ucatiun. as well as the new servo. es. . "I've talked to commercial prop- erty owners. Some' are in arrear. now; They, said there's no way they could take an increase. We need opportunity furour young people. Us old guys. we don't really mat- ter," he said. , Coon. Bill Mickle of Exeter. said there will also need to be planning for large capital costs on the roads the province has also transferred to the county. Nix had changes in op- erating costs for the county due to the new rads at $718,000. "Our communities are being bal- kanized. while they (the province) concentrate on the 400 series (of highways)," said Mickle. But Nix said the province has given municipalities and the ce)unty $39.931.(100 in new costs. • Local 'government will have a greater rule in paying for welfare, family bene- fits. roads and policing. • The $op million doesn't include items such as child care and coin - mutiny ambulances, the costs of. which the county couldn't get from the province. ' "The department heads. were told to go away and look at what we had," said Nix. "But it was ditticult as we had no guidelines. "A lot of ministries were reluc- tant to release information." - • The announcements didn't indi- cate which tier of government is to look after which service. That's created problems in an area such as Huron County with two tiers of lo- cal government. That's why Nix and the county staff included all new costs to mu- niotpalities in the totals. For example, policing. which will have to be paid fol by rural munici- palities, was included in the list, with a total of $4,318.000 through- out the county. Amalgamation: Althouch there. would likely he increased costs. this move wotild result in .1 higher level of service with increa`c. . availability and greater expertise. Duties could he -incorporated_anti existing job descriptions. Crossing Guards - Status Quo: There are twit cross- ing guards -provided at the expense of the municipality.. - - .-lmalgamation: The c.inunute,• feels crossing guards :houfd l Come -the respnnsihlity of tee to,•dl • school advisory/parent .oniniriir Family and Social Service's .,. Day Care • • • Status Quo: C)Tlly Tuckr.tnnh operates a tnunicpal day care facil- ity. The township is familiar its costs and realizes tither mini- cipaliiies are. not expected for the service. However. ,Ie - creasing. government grant-. -.5.:11 iricrese the need t'or local tax dol- .. lilt's from the township. • Shared.. Services: Although rbc facility would he,.availahle for ase among a wider area. leading_ Io ,l full user pay* system. the loc.dtu)n may he inconvenient, " • . .:Amalgamation. ,•�zain: the'Iilcil itv would he' available for, use in t wider. 4lrea,•_hut' vitt munlcipalitic\ would he involved in' -potential !a- .cility coals.' . - Cultyre and Recreation - -, Status, Quo: The. six Municipal- - ities operate' five communise- .:en- -tres. one hall; 'three arenas. • nine hall diamonds and ...One indoor swimming pool. There IS .ui es- initiated- :operation of S 150.000. Although undtlt `'hill :c, - neriti , :111 .facilities would re:noun open. the ciimniittee'; repor .laid ' '.ill have operating deficits..utd are in coimnetition with each.ot her •i+r .1 limiter! market." Sharing 'Services: :\ io,nl -re:c- rhaition hoard would he established- -There would he apotenual 'nr ings. partly through an Increase .,r buil; purchasing. .\s I well. ne•,d loin, prorams could .he initiated. Disad•• anlages • . include -an •. over- s,)rselt .crena staff.- turf protectiolt ,i ,ick of commitment to' the pro- - ,`cs.• and the 'challenge of -id rlirnr\ter:mg..Icross houndaries,' -• - 1malga,mation: The committee agrees ,1 gall ' user pay . sytenl Iliav' i,(dr'Operiting,iaists. with the ye: stilt facilities •if' Y+sts .tri' • nil -rem i.overcd within tiv e:- ve;u-s. 'It :, also proposed that .t i n- - sition , f director of tactlitcs and ri:creatton.hc created. \11i atnt,t4ey include arena ntan- .rger, haying more time to spend i on the technical side of operating the raeilitcs with the.patcntial to reduce' the number of pan-iinle hours. There, would he an increased I'evel of scrvtce and a reduction in oper- atin_ deficits: However. if the user, pay sy,sieni is not supported. tacil ides nogg ,arse due to '.ick i q' rev enue. . ' , . Reahurn wondered why- rec- reation ,vas looked ,u dit'erenlly than -other services." • i think they are services anti Ire: ritrght never pay li)r theinsel•.CN. • he said. • . Public Utilities • tlth,ul^h there would he no econ- onuk•: of scale ' • .Shared Services:.Although _tato: 1 wi)Iilt1 he reduced, control inav he -:10.1 - • 1nnalt;antation: Duties could he pert d+rnted by :1 eeriilied staff poa- lion_ under direction • of the work. ryx rintetident_ RCSponahttitles • :5041:1 he expanded ...lu Iirodide ,surd,y light Iitainlenacc Ihromehont. rhe ",un;IPsun:ued area -and hilIim! :,0415 he completed by one of the -propi+\61 •!eilerat e4)\erlllllenl posi- • tions nits could result •in feihiced -osis • . - Water and Sewer Systems - Status Quo: rt,c .iti ntrnicipal-. . 1lic, own 1 t water systems. eacli e 'Is ,+wit water rate's and con- irec;,',n , Iharges.'Threc • ot•,he ,t - trn1, n.wd' ldxrg-term debt and •,will re,tunr ,13)11.11 ,repairs.- Fortr of .the i1111111CI(1:IIItie. operate -a. sewcr.s\.- -- Iim1 `\Illiough fecilitics remain nn- -:tor ,,)ntrol lit' the local council .ind- .ur ttrarntarned at minimalL,,,I..ut- dind+nal.' 4nspe'0'5ns and n)ani- lenance will later .he rcquu-ed h� • tlx; \tin\rtr•v . - . Shared Services: Bulk :htdsnrg may lcad_to fustier Arcing: - i1iet .54041(1 •he reduced training • ;rias. improved pacing on - con • • u -acted ;ery ices and the es's'ence tits specialized knowledge. How- - ever. ;Idtnuntstratitin tvoulit he • .ticuli-_each ",vstem-wdndd continue` . - 10 ,'prate rntcpendently ,and travel - • time w wind he extensive: : .tnialgamation: ,4sn aril dgania t- • ?,I municipality v l tt hasty t water fepartment ander. r' 1h.- supervision. • Of -.the - road- 'superintendent. - Ad 'inini.trative .tiinction'. • would . he: - perfornte4l by a proposed -,general ,oyerinnenl position. :\dvanlages would he hettcr qualified stall. unI- •.bloat rates. economies of ,cal( 'in purchasing :end billing.. more Ct.- ' :f ' -ricient ase .of stall' and egwpnlent and the- possible reduction. in the - ' number•of staff. by employing 'dine mull -tine person -,rather than several , Oar -time. The main disadvantage is .1 lilac :ari1 would he needed tp tueparc-ritr'ihe maintenance of each _ 5 tem. , ' Reserves and Capitol .lssets = - Status Quo: Each lnuitrcipality . invests.Its Own finds to its hest ad- - vatiIa41e.. ho\vcver. the ,r2i: of the investment may not lead i0 the hest ..'elf'i'n. - 'hared'tiervices: One munie pal- - it'v could fend surplus funds to .tit- dither .it ,better than hank rate..-‘1- though '1-though piloted funds could ohtarn it heifer hank interest rate. local mentalities would not control their iivvn funds and. investment plan. '- -.'mal amation: A percentage of - ..asscssment could he established'hy' • elected otticials and the individual 'funds would he credited or charged . • lo, that former municipality eiver a period of years to obtain_ the stip- ' alined percentage figure. .With one po�il of funds and one investment plan. the'hest rates would he oh-. tamed and • greater staff expertise wiltdd he 'available.' .\Iso. .t de- - lallct! list of eapttul assets.would he • - requutd id he prepared by each municipality. The value could he ,:ompared 'fir .tstiessrncnt 'to de- tennlne.1 unitintit rale. • Status Quo: ,kelvaniages to, re--' mauling, status quo mi.little a known level, of .• ;regia: and - osts Report released CLINTON \ report r:mk:n; amalgamated hoards err terms 01 •ver -ceiling ;pending. place. Hu- e11n-Perth Public Board ;-iib In he ince. The chart lists theeorn- ,hriled hoards as having ly.o111) stu- dents. which'does not include )wl- ier Kindergarten enrollment. - . The combined. weighted-. over - e tiling ut the new board wlll.hc $552'per pupal.• The Huron -Perth Roman Catholic Board is ranked 55th (last) in the pitvvitice, *n111,979 students. The :o,nbincd over—citing of the new hoard is -SI I per pupil. • Tlic d .sue: new hoitrds with' cc+mbined.spcntlrng hi her.than. - SI.0)82 will recetle less money to. d+perate•and thtlsc helow the level • yell reserve more. However. t0 to-' ' direct SI htllion away from educa- tion ars planned. the guvermnent • would haa-c to "peg" the rale near •151N) per pupil over -ceiling. Ac- .ciording.to the plinislry. a median • tigure.will likely he established in an effort tiecreate a fair funding Iesel.• On average. public hoards spend 51..121) per pupil over -ceiling and .ep;uate boatels ,pend $513. Councils meet with mediator ▪ Continued from front page Hvogenbvum. "We don't, want to be rushed into making a decision unless we know all the answers to recent provincial announcements." Hoogenbuurn said I c anticipates hearing lata this week what Tenl- polale will . recommend to the min- istry. If he believes the proposed amalgamation has merit, he will likely recommend a commission if mediation doesn't get the parties back to the table. Exeter began pursuing other al- ternatives, including internal re- structuring, when it stepped away 110111 amalgamation discussions. However. if: any tnediation takes place it will he around the South Huron proposal. Internal. - re- structuring eiforts may nut he "good enough' for the ministry. ac- cording to Exeter Administrator Kick Hundey who interpreted Tent- purale's comments during his meeting with Exeter Council. "Our position- was that thereinay be grounds for discussion about amalgamation at some point. down the line but not necessarily this amalgamation," said Hundey.