County Council Media Release - February 22, 2023

For immediate release.

Feb. 22, 2023

Here are the highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held February 22, 2023.

2023 Budget Approved: The 2023 Lanark County budget - themed "Building a Sustainable Foundation" - was approved with an overall budget increase of 5.8 per cent, but an assessment growth of 3.65 per cent reduces the tax increase to 2.15 per cent.

The county will collect 40.9 million from property taxpayers this year, up from 38.6 million last year. Estimated gross expenditures are 119.8 million. "As council embarks on its four-year term during a time of hyper-inflation, rising interest rates, labour market shortages and government policy changes, it is crucial to be building a sustainable foundation," said CAO Kurt Greaves. "The 2023 budget will reflect a commitment to our infrastructure and service levels, while maintaining stable and reliable tax rates."

At the special budget meeting held Jan. 20, Greaves outlined competing interests that must be considered, including expected service levels, legislation and liability; infrastructure deficit, capital plan and asset management; the fiscal imbalance of services downloaded from the province without adequate funding (ambulance, social services, roads, and farm and forest rebates); and the pressure to maintain low tax rates when inflation was at 6.9 per cent as of October 2022. 

Highlights in the 2023 budget include:

• Industry-wide labour shortages affecting Lanark Lodge, along with increasingly higher levels of care needed and inflation pressures.
• $2.5 million for Blakeney Bridge rehabilitation, $500,000 towards completing the Rideau Ferry Bridge project with Leeds & Grenville, and funds for the Almonte Salt Dome replacement.
• A $3 million grant for the Carebridge housing development, $590,000 in Federation of Canadian Municipalities funding for the tiny home project and the implementation of the $10/day child care programming in social services.
• Service enhancement for land ambulances, $1 million in provincial funding for the community paramedicine program, and a new dispatch channel for fire communications in emergency services.
• Reserve repayments completed for trail development investments and the broadband project, as well as funds for official plan updates in economic development.
• $367,000 for four local hospitals, $261,000 for council-directed community grants and $90,000 for an accessibility grant to Lanark Transportation Association.
• Funds for a network disaster recovery program and new record management system for corporate services.

The public works budget represents 38 percent of the county levy, followed by emergency services at 22 percent, social services and housing at 17 and long-term care at 11. Administration and government and economic development make up the remainder.

Greaves noted that to meet asset replacement costs, $13 million needs to be invested annually into capital. The 2023 budget includes $16.3 million for capital investment.

With assessment growth at 3.65 per cent, residential ratepayers with a property assessed at $500,000 can expect to see an increase of $41 on the county portion of their tax bill. The bill also includes the local municipal and education portions. Tax rates and ratios for 2023 will be set by county council soon. For more information, contact Kurt Greaves, CAO, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1101. 

Housing Services Overview Accepted: Council accepted a housing services overview as part of ongoing orientations for new council. Housing Services Manager Shawna Stone presented the report at the community services committee meeting earlier this month.

Stone explained social housing administration was transferred to municipalities in 2000. Previously it was primarily a federal and provincial area of responsibility. Under the provincial Housing Services Act the administrative and funding responsibility for social housing rests with service managers, such as the county. As service manager, the county provides subsidized housing and administration of funding from senior levels of government. Some key roles include housing plans, service level standards, rent-geared-to-income (RGI) assistance, a centralized wait list, operating subsidies for housing providers and reporting. 

Stone explained a range of federal and provincial funding sources ($4.5 million or 28 per cent) cover the various programs administered by the county, such as Homeownership, Renovate Lanark, support services, rent support, community housing repair and renewal and portable housing benefit. The municipality funds RGI, rent supplement, more portable housing benefits, and non-profit housing provider operating subsidies, which amounts to $9.8 million or 60 per cent. Tenant rents make up the remaining 13 per cent at $2.1 million. Expenditures include program administration ($2 million), housing programs ($8.1 million), housing stock capital investment ($3.4 million) and housing stock operating costs ($2.9 million). 

"Housing services provides various programs, supports and services for people at all points along the housing continuum," Stone said. This ranges from affordable rental housing to market home ownership and points in between. "The continuum is fluid. People move back and forth along the continuum depending on circumstances and stages in life."

Stone provided an overview on the 10-Year Housing Plan, the current housing portfolio, operating agreements with non-profit housing providers, the various housing programs, support services (e.g. social supports, mediation, hoarding, etc.), and two new developments underway in Smiths Falls. For more information, contact Shawna Stone, Housing Services Manager, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 2401.

Additional Planning Position Approved: Council has approved the addition of a technical/junior position in the planning department to be funded from reserves for 2023 as required.

In a report to the corporate services committee earlier this month, Clerk Jasmin Ralph explained the planning department has seen a significant rise in the number of applications for consents and subdivisions. The complexity of applications has also increased as landowners look to develop more constrained pieces of land, which requires a more intensive process. "This, considered in conjunction with recent legislative changes and requirements imposed by the province, has increased processing times for all applications," she said.

The new position, Ralph added, demonstrates a commitment to and investment in the department which will free resources to address long-term directions and improvements. "The position will provide essential support in day-to-day operations related to consents and some subdivision support. This will free a significant amount of time for planning department management to focus on continual process improvement, policy advice and development and enhancing the support role to local municipalities." For more information, contact Jasmin Ralph, Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502. 

Upcoming Meetings: County Council, Wednesday, March 8, 5 p.m.; Community Services, March 8 (following County Council); Corporate Services, March 8 (following Community Services). County Council, Wednesday, March 22, 5 p.m.; Public Works, March 22 (following County Council); Economic Development, March 22 (following Public Works). Watch for details about public access to meetings on agendas and through online notifications. For more information, contact 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502. Like "LanarkCounty1" on Facebook and follow "@LanarkCounty1" on Twitter!

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