The Times Advocate, 2008-11-05, Page 3Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Times -Advocate
Budget concerns again raised at Lucan Biddulph
By Ben Forrest
TIMES—ADVOCATE STAFF
LUCAN The Upper Thames River Conservation Au-
thority (UTRCA) s proposed 2009 budget was met with
concern at the Oct. 30 Lucan Biddulph council meeting.
The UTRCA hopes to run a budget of $11.8 million in
2009, a 10.5 per cent increase over 2008.
Of this figure, $3.37 million would be provided by mu-
nicipalities. There are 11 member municipalities, includ-
ing Lucan Biddulph and South Huron.
If approved, the UTRCA budget would see a 5.7 per cent
increase to Lucan Biddulph s share, and a 4.2 per cent in-
crease to South Huron s share.
UTRCA general manager Ian Wilcox told Lucan Bid-
dulph council their increase would amount to $366 dollars
over last year s contribution, bringing the 2009 total to
$6,796.
South Huron would pay $210 more, for a total of $5,272.
Lucan Biddulph Mayor Tom McLaughlin told Wilcox a
5.7 per cent increase is too high, noting his municipality
is attempting to increase its budget by no more than three
per cent in 2009.
Any board that proposes an increase of more than three
per cent puts extra pressure on the municipality, he said.
Wilcox made clear at the outset of the meeting, however,
that the proposed budget will not be finalized until mid-
February, and that the UTRCA was looking for feedback
from municipalities at this time.
A fact sheet noted that the UTRCA hopes to increase its
level of municipal support from 23.5 per cent of its total
budget to 30 per cent support.
The provincial average is 32 per cent, according to Wil-
cox, with some conservation authorities receiving as much
as 70 per cent from municipalities.
New building
Wilcox also made a presentation to council regarding a
plan that would see the construction of a new UTRCA ad-
ministration office in 2009 or 2010.
Wilcox noted the UTRCA s current office was built in
1969, with an addition completed in 1980. The building
was intended for 30 staff, but now houses 50, according to
a fact sheet circulated at council.
An additional 27 staff are housed in temporary and in-
adequate facilities such as portable units, which have no
water or washrooms, the fact sheet states.
According to the UTRCA, meeting and common space
in the current administration office has been converted to
office space, and the current conditions impair staff pro-
ductivity.
Deferred meetings, lack of privacy and difficulty concen-
trating are among the concerns identified.
An architect was hired in 2007, which provided a build-
ing condition report, identified the space needed by
UTRCA staff, and made recommendations, according to
the fact sheet.
The architect recommended that a new fa-
cility be constructed, and identified that a r
minimum of twice the existing office space is
required.
The proposed facility would consist of 30,000
square feet, with construction costs estimated
at $7.5 million.
An additional $1.5 million is anticipated to
ensure the building receives Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
certification.
LEED is a rating system used to identify the
environmental sustainability of building de-
signs.
It was suggested during the meeting that al-
though there would be a $1.5 million up -front
cost for this certification, the sum would be
recovered within 10 years and would result in
long-term savings.
An additional $3 million has been budgeted
for ancillary costs, which would include land-
scaping, architectural fees, the demolition of
Donation in memory
the upper floor of the current administrative building,
moving expenses, and furnishings.
The total cost of the building is expected to be $12 mil-
lion, with the hope that provincial funding will cover half
of this cost. Municipal funding would provide the remain-
ing half.
Assuming a 50 per cent grant from the province, the City
of London would stand to pay the most toward the project
roughly $5 million over eight years, with annual pay-
ments of $627,076.
Lucan Biddulph would pay $18,891 over eight years,
while South Huron would pay $15,113.
If a 50 per cent provincial grant cannot be secured, Lucan
Biddulph would be asked to pay $37,781 over eight years
and South Huron would pay $30,225.
i 4
O77IOL
ONLY s5
cp.loup
I'm Iovin'it.
ONLY s5
Valid only at the following locations:
Exeter McDonalds - 261 Main St. N.
Goderich McDonalds - 354 Bayfield Road &
Goderich Wal-Mart.
Filet -o -Fish not available at Wal -mart location.
Offer valid for a limited time only.
Applicable taxes may apply. No coupon necessary.
eric FLOORING
SALE
CONTINUES TO
NOV. 17
Running in memory Tania Crawford (second from left)
recently raised $4,030 for the South Huron Hospital Foundation
by collecting pledges in support of her first half -marathon which
was successfully completed on Oct. 19 in Detroit. Crawford ran
in memory and in honour of her father-in-law Basil Crawford.
Pictured with Crawford are running partner Tammy Rau and South
Huron hospital nurse Joanne Kadlecik (left) and Dr. Ken Milne who
both cared for Basil Crawford and were also participants in the
Detroit half -marathon event. (photo/submitted)
REGIONAL WRAP
Goderich harbour
GODERICH The town of Goderich is planning on development
work around the harbour if it can get federal help, says the Goderich
Signal -Star.
In a press release Oct. 21, the council said it will issue a request for
proposals to determine interest in new development.
I think it s time, said clerk administrator Larry McCabe. We ve
waited for this a long time.
It s a valuable asset and it can be further developed, he added.
ATV concerns
CLINTON Residents, ATV club members and OPP representatives
aired their concerns on ATV use to council Oct. 20, reports the Huron
Expositor. Council recently extended by one month the bylaw allowing
ATVs to travel on local roads by one month, rather than letting it lapse,
in order to try and find a solution.
After hearing complaints about damage, trespassing and noise,
council said the issue would be given serious thought by the end of
October.
CORK - CARPET - TILE
HARDWOOD - VINYL
Over 100 products
boasting best prices.
COME & SEE!
/Ward f
Hardwood Floors pdM wev sk,ar Ash
Lry
INNOVATIVE— ——- - FiooTS.kii
1 �t�SSEDGEI
FLO 0 R I N G Beautiful flooring begins with us
.„...OMMEli ••
457 Main St., Exeter NOM 1S1
519-235-4401 www.floorsfirst.com/innovativeflooring