Springwater council spent Monday night listening to funding requests from the township's service partners.
The process went quickly for some, such as the South Georgian Bay Physician Recruitment and Barrie Area Physician Recruitment teams. But it didn't go so well for others, like the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) and the Springwater Public Library.
Monday’s special council meeting kicked off the 2024 budget planning process.
“This evening marks the beginning of the township’s 2024 budget and business plan deliberations,” said Jas Rattigan, the township’s director of finance. “This evening’s meeting has been set aside specifically for our service partners.”
South Georgian Bay Physician Recruitment is seeking $4,000 next year, which is the same amount the group asked for and received this year.
Barrie Area Physician Recruitment, meanwhile, is also looking for the same $8,000 amount next year as it received this year.
The NVCA is asking an operating levy of $215,958 and an asset management fee of $9,955 for its Category 1 services, which are mandatory. This is an increase of $5,593 or 2.5 per cent.
The Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA) is requesting $95,090 for its operating budget and $12,948 for the Sustainable Severn Sound project, which is an increase of $11,268 or 11.6 per cent.
The Springwater Public Library Board submitted an operating request of $945,846 to the township, an increase of $41,310 or 4.6 per cent over last year. The library is also requesting two program additions — a community librarian at an annual cost of $70,417 and $5,000 to complete a strategic plan.
Ontario Provincial Police, while it did not have members in attendance to present their request, has advised Springwater that its operating budget for 2024 will be around $2.4 million — a decrease of $40,589 from this year or 1.6 per cent.
The majority of the questions and discussions were focused on the requests from the NVCA and the Springwater library.
Coun. Matt Garwood expressed concern over the NVCA’s turnaround time for approving permits, a concern echoed by Mayor Jennifer Coughlin.
Both questioned the NVCA’s claim that more than 93 per cent of permits are processed and approved in 60 days.
According to information provided by NVCA for the first three quarters of 2023, there were 58 permits applied for in Springwater.
Coughlin asked: “So, just for clarification, of the 58 permits that were spoken of, the suggestion is 93 per cent met your calculation which is 60 days?”
“Correct,” said Doug Hevenor, the NVCA's chief administrative officer.
“So that’s three permits that did not meet those 60 days?” Coughlin countered.
“Potentially, yes,” Hevenor responded.
Coughlin said she has talked with more than three Springwater residents who have said they had challenges with their permits.
The mayor requested full details on each of the 58 permits that were applied for in Springwater, including when the applications were made, when they were approved and every detail in between. She also wants to know how many inspections were done by NVCA in relation to those 58 permits.
“If a resident or business files a permit, they pay for the permit, does the NVCA inspect on the permit?” Couglin asked.
“Yes and no,” said Hevenor.
Couglin said she was curious as to why the NVCA issues the permit and then leaves it up to the municipality to inspect the permit and assume the liability for it.
She wanted to know the total value of the permits issued and the number of inspections the conservation authority completed.
The Springwater Township Public Library Board was the last service partner to present its 2024 budget request, including two program changes that would add an additional $75,000 to its budget.
The operating budget request had no objections, but the program changes did meet with some resistance.
The library is seeking to add to its headcount and wants to hire a community librarian.
According to Jodie Delgado, the library's chief executive officer, the position requires a master's degree in library science and one of responsibilities of the role would be to assume the CEO’s responsibilities when they are unavailable.
Delgado said she has staff who can fill in for her when she’s away, but a dedicated resource would be best.
“Is it totally necessary to hire somebody?” asked Coun. Phil Fisher.
“It is important to have more because we have three branches,” Delgado responded. “We need someone who can be in charge at those branches if a problem arises. Having full coverage everyday of the week at the two main branches would be preferable.”
The main branches are located in Elmvale and Midhurst, while the third satellite location is in Minesing.
Coun. Danielle Alexander and Deputy Mayor George Cabral also asked if a master's degree was essential for the position. They wondered if a person with a lesser degree could do the job just as well.
Delgado said a candidate with a master’s degree has the training required to build relationships with the community, leverage technology and provide oversight of all adult programming.
“They can hit the ground running,” she said.
While council agreed an additional staff member may be needed, they inquired if it would be possible to hire someone who doesn’t have a master’s degree.
“This is an opportunity to, in my opinion, facilitate the library with additional staff and save a few bucks along the way,” said Cabral. “But I do see opportunity down the road when the new library comes on board. Certainly, at that time and at that stage, it would make sense.”
The fourth location Cabral refers to will be part of the new community hub at Bayfield Street and Snow Valley Road in the coming years.
The library board will come back to council with a salary range for the position without a master’s in library science.
Subsequent budget meetings are planned for Nov. 15, Nov. 20 and, if required, Nov. 22.
