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Kawartha Lakes – The October 26 Special Council meeting was dedicated to external agency correspondence and presentations of their 2022 budgets. The work of these organizations provides critical services to residents including policing, public health, library, environmental conservation and more. Budget requests from all agencies combined represents an increase of 2 percent over 2021. Many agencies kept their budgets to zero or cost of living increases. This equates to a half percent increase ($600,000) to the tax levy.
HKPR District Health Unit
Dr. Natalie Bocking, Medical Officer of Health, presented the impacts to the Health Unit’s budget, namely the change in provincial funding formula to 70 percent provincial, 30 percent municipal. This formula applies to programs that were previously funded 100 percent by the province. The budget increase requested for 2022 is 5 percent, ($114,000) for a total request of $2.3 million. Ongoing steps to mitigate costs include closing the Brighton office, streamlining services and pursuing grants.
Kawartha Lakes Police Service
Chief Mark Mitchell and Don Thomas, Board Chair, presented the factors leading to a 6 percent increase in budget requested. A number of new investments, one of which is an expanded Community Response Unit with two new uniformed officers. This is expected to address the downtown core issues, community concerns and related call volume. The budget also invests in enhanced Communications coverage and two additional officers for the Central East Correctional Centre.
Kawartha Conservation
Kawartha Conservation’s budget has been impacted by the province’s new Conservation Authorities Act that governs mandatory requirements and government agreements. Mark Majchrowski, Chief Administrative Officer, noted that the organization has been actively responding and adapting to pandemic challenges by offering more digital services such as application tracking on its website. Kawartha Conservation is also offering more self-directed programming and virtual site visits. Next year will see the second of four years of work on the Lake Dalrymple Lake Management Plan and continued implementation of the previous Plans.
Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Housing Corporation (KLH Housing Corp.)
Kirstin Maxwell, CEO, presented themes affecting the organization throughout the pandemic. Tenants have been adversely affected by the pandemic and gaps in supports. This has led to a strengthening of partnerships with community agencies. Recovery will take time and collaboration between multiple sectors will be impacted.
Pandemic funding has allowed roving security teams to provide additional support to buildings throughout the area. Tenants are reporting an increased sense of safety. Maintaining and improving existing buildings and enhancing energy efficiency is a priority each year. Maxwell noted that 20 new units have been built in 2021. Two to three new projects are planned to break ground in the spring of 2022.
Many costs are beyond the control of KLH Housing, including rising operating costs, rent freezes implemented by the province and unit turnover delays due to safety requirements. Successful appeals of MPAC assessments will result in favourable financial impacts.
Kawartha Lakes Library
Jamie Anderson, CEO, shared that over the past year, the Library has been expanding services as health measures lift. Part of these changes involved building partnerships with Kawartha Conservation, Pinnguaq, BGC Kawarthas, Ontario Parks and others. To adapt to the pandemic, take-home materials were popular for early learning through to school age children. New Cognitive Kits assist seniors living with dementia. The Library continues to grow its digital offerings and virtual storytimes.
Since July 1, all 14 branches have offered in person service, and currently all branches are open regular hours. The Bobcaygeon branch is targeting move-in for late summer 2022.
Kawartha Lakes Health Care Initiative
Linda Curtin, Board Treasurer, and Cindy Snider, Recruitment and Retention Coordinator, presented annual highlights to Council. The organization’s new strategic plan outlines a vision that “All Kawartha Lakes citizens have access to a local family doctor”. The mission is to “create a healthier community by recruiting, supporting and retaining family doctors.” There is a current need for 18 family physicians to service Kawartha Lakes as 300 children and 3500 adults are without access to a family doctor.
Downtown Lindsay BIA
Melissa McFarland, Executive Director, and Steve Podolsky, Board Chair, presented the organization’s budget request to Council. A $10,000 application to the Community Partnership and Development Fund would go toward new beautification purchases such as planters, banners and decorations for lampposts. The total requested funding from the municipality is $148,000, including a renewal of the Community Liaison position and a cost of living increase over 2021. An office move is being planned to York Street that will accommodate the additional seasonal and part time staff supporting the BIA. A grant program is also being developed to encourage organizations to hold events downtown.
Visit www.kawarthalakes.ca/budget for all related 2022 Budget information and a copy of the presentations given at the meeting
View the October 26 meeting on YouTube
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