Huron Expositor, 2009-06-24, Page 10*11-"."' 411430400r4ordeirraomeamollopoisonwseb•swo.-vadrip
Par -SOeg e Mesh tapositbr adueer ,;2009
Cheryl $eilth
Sticking to the budget is proving
to be a bone of contention for County
Councillor Dave Johnston (Bluewa-
ter).
That was made clear during Huron
County's , committee -of -the -whole
session on Joie 10, during county
facilities manager Sandy _ McLean's
presentation on the need for a new
security system at the county mu-
seum.
That approximate $18,000 request
sparked a number of questions from
Johnston.
"I'm a little disappointed in this
News
dget becoming an issue �#
request for security system
one," he said, adding he wonders
why the issue wasn't dealt with dur-
ing county council's extensive budget
deliberations for 2009.
Coun. Ben Van Di.epenbeek (Ash-
field Colborne Wawanosh) also
questioned why the need wasn't ad-
dressed during budget deliberations
while Coun. Bill Dowson (Bluewater)
wondered the required funds could
be allocated from the unforeseen ex-
penses budget.
Chief Administrative Officer Lar-
ry Adams reported the unforeseen
expenses portion is no longer avail-
able due to costs associated with
the collapse of the two-lane bridge
near Lucknow in
2007.
Adams also
took time out to
defend adminis-
tration.
"A budget is
a snapshot of
what we want
to accomplish,"
he said, adding
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though administrators were aware
of the need for a new security sys-
tem, it only recently became a prior-
ity.
Adams noted the museum is man-
dated to have a security system, and
that it is common practice to cover
the cost of projects that weren't
necessarily budgeted for in a given
year.
"There's no sleight of hand going
on," he added.
Johnston said his criticism is with
the process and not with the need.
"That's all we're talking about to-
day. It's the process," said Johnston.
The committee of the whole- ap-
proved the request to install a new
security system, estimated to cost
$18,841. The project will be accom-
modated by holding off on a budget
allocation of $18,000 that was de-
signed to upgrade light fixtures as
well as emergency lighting and exit
signs at the museum until other
funding sources are found.
The committee then faced a re-
quest to install an air -handling ven-
q.,„
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tilation system on the third -floor of
the county's court house at a cost
of about $70,000; which is a Signifi-
cantly higher amount that originally
estimated. .
McLean noted the project's costs
came in higher because a number of
associated projects, like demolish-
ing certain parts of the building to
remove the old system, were not fac-
tored into the original total.
While Coun. Johnston questioned
the need, McLean noted the project
is designed as a "preemptive" move
since the work environment would
be untenable if the system were to
break down this summer. Plus, he
noted, the current air -ventilation
system is proving to be too loud and
obtrusive during court sessions.
Coun. John Bezaire (Central Hu-
ron) put forward a motion to approve
the project, which the committee
then approved.
Council must endorse the motions
before work moves forward.
Councillors gearing up to review how
Huron County conducts business
Cheryl Heath
AMMENNEMEMP
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, coun-
cillors are set to hear presentations from each
of the department managers in order to garner
a better understanding of the budgeting pro-
cess and administrative procedures.
Other subjects, like cost-cutting measures
and consultants, proved to be a bone of conten-
tion for some councilors.
Court. Bernie MacLellan (Huron East) ques-
tioned the fairness of asking department man-
agers to report back on problems and deficien-
cies.
"They shouldn't come back with anything
that is wrong because they should have
changed it already," said
MacLellan, likening the
process to asking a union-
ized shop whether there
are too many workers.
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"Don't put them through it," urged MacLel-
lan, adding it would make more sense to use
an "external source" even if there is a substan-
tial cost involved.
"If it saves money, it's worth it," he said.
Cozen. Deb Shewfelt (Goderich) said the pro-
cess is about a numberof factors, including
finding out which programs and federal and
provincial governments mandate services. He
argued it makes sense to ask the managers
since a consultant would be asking them the
same questions.
Cozen. Dorothy Kelly (Morris Turnberry)
noted council already opted not to hire a con-
sultant, though Chief Administrative Officer
Larry Adams pointed out it is still an option
since no motion was made to that effect.
County Warden Ken .Oke (South Huron) sup-
ported the idea of seeking input from manag-
ers and then to move forward with a consul-
tant if necessary.
Coun. James Fergusson (Bluewater) 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 Diepen-
beek (Ash-
field Colborne
Wawanosh) also
favoured the
plan.
"Most of us don't
have the will to
spend $300,000
to $500,000 on a
consultant," he
said.
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