Wednesday, March 23, 2011

FORT FRANCES TIMES A3

DSSAB split over budget approval

By Peggy Revell Staff writer Only part of the savings from uploading the Ontario Drug Benefit Program will be passed along to municipalities after the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board approved its 2011-12 budget last Thursday night. This year, DSSAB saw its budget fall from $20,479,372 to $15,463,816a reduction of $5,015,556, or 24.49 percent. The majority (90 percent) of this reduction comes from shifting costs of the Ontario Drug Benefit program to the province, with $448,000 in savings for district municipalities expected due to this uploading. But the approved budget saw just $229,141 of the estimated savings used by the board to offset increases in its other programs. Taking the uploading out of the picture, the increased costs would have result in an average 2.64 percent increase on the municipal levy. When the uploading is factored in, however, municipalities overall will see a $219,097 decrease in the levy, or an average 4.64 percent. The exact levies for each municipality have yet to be determined or approved as apportionment of the budget is slated for Aprils meeting. But the new apportionment formula approved last year by the board likely will see the levies for Fort Frances, Lake of the Woods, La Vallee, and Morley increase while other municipalities will see a decrease. Although this years budget passed, board members were split over it. This isnt just a one-way street for municipalities, argued John Callan, who represents the unorganized territories of Rainy River District Central. Weve got people all over the district for ambulance service, housingnot every community has housing, but weve got a lot of clients, he noted. We just cant forget these people and just think about the municipal component. While Callan said he understands representatives wanting to reduce the municipal share, he warned he can see DSSAB going down the tubes in terms of meeting its obligations if the budget continued to be cut. Were not even anywhere near, in my view, keeping pace with inflation in terms of where we were and where we should be, he noted. As well, board members expressed worry that cuts simply postponed inevitable costs. Were saving money this year, but were really not saving money because were just deferring, said Rainy River Mayor Debbie Ewald. At some point these things are going to have to be done, she stressed. Callan agreedpointing to how the cost to replace the ambulance base roof in Fort Frances back in 2007 was estimated at $30,000 but now its an estimated cost of $45,000. All youre doing is postponing the inevitable, he reiterated. Its not going to get any cheaper, its going to cost more in the end. But while inflation and costs have gone up, Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown said one thing that hasnt risen are salariespointing to the cut in pay local mill workers have taken as well as how people from Atikokan have headed to Alberta seeking jobs. Theyre all hurting, John. You have to take that into consideration, Mayor Brown remarked, although conceding that at this point in the process, the budget passed was the best we can do. During last Thursdays meeting, Mayor Brown also noted that any further budget cuts would mean touching staffsomething they didnt want to do until more facts are available. Voting against the budget were Fort Frances Coun. Ken Perry, La Vallee Reeve Ross Donaldson, and Lake of the Woods Township Mayor Val Pizey, who were vocal in the need for further budget cuts. Mayor Pizey noted the majority of her constituents are seniors just trying to stay in their homes many of which are waterfront lots settled before the area became a place for seasonal residents. I cant keep asking them to pay more money on their waterfront lots because they want to stay in their own homes, but the prices of taxes go up on the recreational property, she said, pointing out that having these senior residents remain in their home for as long as possible means theyre saving taxpayers money in the long run. I know theres a mission there to look after people, and I want to look after the people in my municipality, too. We have to determine the balance between what municipalities can afford and the service level, Mayor Pizey reasoned. Maybe were driving a Cadillac when we should be driving a Ford. But you may need a Cadillac because youre hauling more people than the Ford can hold, countered Alberton Coun. Mike Ford, stressing its the responsibility of the board to ensure the DSSAB can function. As councillors in our council chambers, every year we have budget increases from the OPP, he noted. Were not going to the OPP police services board and getting them to nickel-and-dime everything. This program needs X amount of operate, and if you start poking holes in it, people start falling through the holes. Its point-blank, Coun. Ford argued, noting that if an increase is needed to ensure DSSAB has the right amount to operate, then his municipality will find savings elsewhere. The social safety net you have to leave that intact, he stressed. Its not like [DSSAB is] running around to all these social housing units putting gold fixtures in the bathrooms. They need this to operate. Part of this year budgets increase is due to negotiated salary increases, noted DSSAB financial manager Leanne Eluik. But the majority is due to the use of reserves in the prior year to offset general operating cost increases. These costs were not eliminated in 2010. They were, in effect, just deferred to 2011, she explained. Meanwhile, cuts in this years budget are mainly to general operating costs, Eluik noted, saying they will not impact staffing and most importantly will not affect client service. While opinions differed on the budget, board members agreed they need to start right away examining the organization to be better prepared for next years budget. This includes a top to bottom review of operations, staffing, and more. Citing the hard work of DSSAB staff to put together this years budget and find savings where they could, Morley rep Moe Henry also stressed the need to work with them in the upcoming months to see where they could find greater efficiencies. They know what were looking for and I dont think theyre going to pull the wool over our eyes, he remarked. I think theyre going to come up with some good answers, and I think weve got to be prepared to work with them and find out. And I think thats got to start immediately because if we dont, come next March its going to be the same thing, Henry warned. As well, board members decided more effort and lobbying is neededthrough working with other DSSABs, the Rainy River District Municipal Association, and Northern Ontario Municipal Associationto raise concerns with the province over funding for programs like Ontario Works, social housing, and child care.

Showcasing talent
Dylan Ossachuk performed several popular songs last Wednesday evening during an open mic night for teens as part of March Break activities at the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre. The eventthe rst held in the new facilitysaw a good turnout of teens showcasing their talents. Refreshments also were provided. Heather Latter photo

Gallery to host exhibit

Press release The Pictograph Gallery in Atikokan presents Metamorphosis, featuring prints by Bill McFarlane, on March 26-April 16. The gallery, located on the lower level of the Voyageur Mall, is open Tuesday-Saturday from noon-3 p.m. (CDT).

Below-normal temperatures still on tap

It will be mostly clear but cold tonight, with an overnight low plunging to minus-22 (eight below zero F) and northeast winds at five-10 m.p.h. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny but continued cool, with a high of just minus-three (27) and low around minus-15 (five). Look for north winds at five m.p.h. More sunshine is on tap for Friday, along with a high again of minus-three (27) and low dropping to minus-14 (six). Saturday and Sunday also will be mostly sunny, with highs of minusthree (27) and lows around minus-17 (one) and minus-16 (three). The extended outlook calls for sunshine Monday, with a high of one (33) and low dipping minus-13 (nine), while Tuesday also will be mostly sunny, with a high of two (36) and low around minusfive (23). The record high for today is 18 (64) set in 2003 while the record low is minus-24 (11 below zero) set in 1980. Normals are two (36) and minus-10 (14). Sunset tonight is at 7:30 p.m., with sunrise tomorrow at 7:08 a.m.

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