It’s not just recreation costs that will be on the table as Wellington North sorts out fees and charges in the future.
However, recreation fees were the focus of a recent joint meeting with Southgate, where Wellington North Mayor Mike Broomhead outlined the history of the Mount Forest Sports complex and the agreement currently in place between the two townships regarding the operation, maintenance and management of the facility.
Wellington North Treasurer John Jeffrey presented his report, which included the joint fire agreement with Southgate and West Grey Townships.
The current recreation agreement with Wellington North expired in December and needs to be renewed.
However, Wellington North and Southgate councillors agreed a new agreement should be negotiated following the 2010 municipal elections.
Until then, the old agreement would essentially remain in effect.
Jeffrey explained the absolute cap of $40,000 for all operating and maintenance deficits or surpluses incurred by the facility, and that programs being shared are 20:80% between Southgate and Wellington North.
Broomhead noted the good working relationship with Southgate, and how it differed from the relationship with West Grey. Wellington North has scheduled a meeting on May 13 with surrounding municipalities to discuss charging non-resident fees for the use of recreation facilities.
When the issue came up in the finance committee, comments were made that amendments have been suggested to clarify different issues and the ongoing administration of the agreements.
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Councillor Dan Yake, who heads the township’s finance committee, said the next meeting of the finance committee will continue to review the 2010 budget and the budget process.
Reports from the finance committee noted that with the completion of the 2010 budget, committee members were asked to provide opinions with regard to the process and how it could be improved.
Members offered informal comments to generate ideas for the coming meeting.
“We’ll see if we can streamline it a bit.”
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One thing under review is a a look at all fees and charges generated by the municipality.
The finance committee is reviewing those in municipal departments. At least at the finance committee level, there has been discussion to consolidate all those fees and charges in a single bylaw, which would be reviewed annually.
“The new bylaw would then address issues which would affect the setting, timing, and calculation of charges unique to different departments.”
Currently, department heads and committees are reviewing that information. Yake hoped a new bylaw could be in place by June 1, but it could be tricky.
He said he hoped the review could provide the information to the finance committee by the beginning of May; however some committees such as building and property do no meet again until mid-May.
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Yake noted the status of the new Arthur works yard is dependent on funding requests
“We’re still waiting on the announcement of any funding which may be coming. We’re still not sure what is happening with that, and it will have a big influence on what is going to happen there.”
