The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board is waiting for letters of approval from surrounding municipalities before municipal levies can be set.
The apportionment formula, which is used to decide how each municipality will be levied according to its population and demographics, was selected during a DSSAB meeting last month.
Members of the DSSAB looked at three formulas and voted for the one they preferred.
But during that meeting, some municipalities were not represented. The Chapple rep was one of those who was absent and said he hopes the current option does not get the approval of municipalities.
“There were a couple of people missing at that meeting,” said Chapple Coun. Peter Van Heyst.
Under the chosen formula, dubbed #2, Chapple will have to pay $198,536 compared to $137,677 if #1 was chosen or $101,912 in #3.
“At the moment, we still get [Community Reinvestment Fund] funding from the government but if that happens to stop . . .” said a concerned Van Heyst.
For Fort Frances, #2 is the middle ground at $1,280,215 compared to a cost of $1,153,225 under #3 or $1,414,935 with #1.
Emo also would be paying a compromising amount of $122,742 in #2 compared to the higher amount of 143,151 in #1 and a lower cost of $113,708 in #3.
The approval for the apportionment formula must be a double-majority–meaning a majority of the board representing a majority of the district’s population.
Although the formula has the board’s approval, a number of municipalities have voted against the selected formula, raising some concern a double-majority may not be reached.
“It looks like the option recommended by the board might not make it,” said Morley Reeve Gary Gamsby.
Until the letters are received from all the municipalities, how much each municipality will be slated to pay remains up in the air.
If the selected formula is not approved, the DSSAB must meet again to choose another option.