Published March 26 2019

On March 20 theprovince’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clarkannounced millions of dollars of one-time funding for local servicedelivery would be released to small rural municipalities.

Haliburton County– the four lower-tier governments and the upper-tier countygovernment – will collectively receive more than $2.8 million “toimprove service delivery by finding smarter more efficient ways tospend money that help those who need it most while respectingtaxpayer dollars” a press release from the province says.

Haliburton Countywill receive $725000 while Dysart et al and Minden Hills willreceive $542255 each Highlands East will receive $534469 andAlgonquin Highlands will receive $532292.

There are nodirectives on how to spend the money however the provincialgovernment’s announcement states that municipalities are expectedto take steps to be more efficient and gives examples including “service delivery reviews development of shared services agreementsIT solutions capital investments or other projects.”

MPP Laurie Scottsaid she was pleased municipalities would be able to spend the moneywhere they thought it would be most needed.

“Thismodernization funding recognizes the unique needs and circumstancesof rural communities in our riding and provides them with the supportthey need to deliver services efficiently and effectively” shesaid.

Andrea Robertsmayor of Dysart et al is quoted as saying the funding was well timedand she looked forward to “collaborating with neighbouringmunicipalities prioritizing our capital works and finding ways tomodernize and improve our services.”

Staff