Despite some concerns as to how to pay for the hike, town council agreed Monday night to pay the five percent increase—from $35 per capita to $36.75—in the Northwestern Health Unit’s levy for 2003.
Upon recommendation from the Administration and Finance executive committee, the $293,485.50 annual total will be paid in monthly instalments of $24,457.13.
“There’s really no choice,” said Coun. Deane Cunningham, who sits on the Administration and Finance executive committee.
“We discussed this, and basically, the committee felt we had to go ahead and pay this levy,” he said. “We still have to find the money, but there’s always some under expenditure somewhere in the budget.
“We’ll find it somewhere,” he added.
“The committee concludes that it has no alternative but to approve the rates with a five percent increase,” echoed Fort Frances CAO Bill Naturkach in a report from the Administration and Finance executive committee.
He added the committee is well-versed in the health unit’s “financial problems,” and that the committee still is preparing a letter of support for health unit funding.
The committee also is looking forward to the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association meeting for greater discussion with Ministry of Health staff about said financial woes.
As reported at the Feb. 10 council meeting, the health unit initially was looking for a total of an extra $1.1 million from municipalities in the Kenora-Rainy River districts to deliver mandated services, but the health unit board remained adamant the communities couldn’t afford what would amount to a 26 percent levy increase for all.
At that meeting, health unit chair John Albanese and town appointee Bill Martin reiterated the health unit is greatly underfunded by the province—and all municipalities should lobby to see more money come down for preventative public health.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•agreed to proclaim March as “Easter Seals Month” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•heard a brief report from Coun. Struchan Gilson regarding local ski trails (Coun. Gilson remarked as to the “excellent” quality of both the Eighth Street trails and those at Rocky Inlet, and encouraged all cross-country enthusiasts to get out and try them this winter);
•authorized Engineering Northwest Ltd. to proceed with a traffic study and engineering to final design plan for King’s Highway 60 metres westerly of McIrvine Road and 30 metres easterly of Holmes Avenue;
•authorized an expenditure of $5,700 towards the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce beautification program (this is regarded as a council public relations expense);
•authorized the acceptance of a quote from MacDonald Motors Ltd. for a new crew cab truck in the amount of $31,711.25;
•acknowledged the action taken to date and the continuing investigation of the adequacy of the storm sewer system in Strachan Place;
•authorized the commitment of $1 per capita contribution towards Household Hazardous Waste Day 2003;
•approved the purchase of computer equipment from Sight & Sound at a cost of $3,571 for the Fort Frances Museum;
•agreed to support the Rick Hanson Wheels in Motion Foundation fundraising efforts and encourage any interest groups or individuals to step forward to provide leadership to this event;
•denied the Borderland Thunder’s request that the Dudley Hewitt Cup be designated as a special event under the terms outlined in the request;
•confirmed its position on including the capital costs of installation of a sprinkler system in the ’52 Canadians Arena in the 2004 budget process, as per the request of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce;
•approved a financial contribution to the Spring, 2003 meeting of the Association of the Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario in the amount of $500 as a council public relations expense;
•declined a financial request for the 2003 Chief Fire Officers Conference in Thunder Bay this September;
•adopted development fill guidelines dated Feb. 18, 2003 (these may see revision as part of the Community Improvement Plan and Financial Incentive Plan currently up for approval by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing);
•referred an invitation for nominations for the Ontario Crime Commission’s “Awards of Excellence for Fighting Crime” to the local Police Services Board for a recommendation; and
•agreed to respond to a request from the Ministry of Natural Resources to send a letter of support for the Ontario Lumber Manufacturers Association’s efforts to obtain Canada wood funding.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
