Council here wants more information on potential costs before committing to a plan to share a source water risk management official between lower tier Wellington County municipalities.
The risk management position is mandatory for all municipalities beginning in 2013, under the provincial government’s Clean Water Act. At the March 5 council meeting, CAO Patty Sinnamon reported on a proposal that would see the county temporarily fund a risk management official, who would be officially employed by Centre Wellington, but would provide service to all seven municipalities.
The proposal approved by Centre Wellington stipulates that cost-sharing principals across the participating municipalities beyond the county’s funding commitment period (2013 and part of 2014) will be included in a framework to be jointly developed.
Councillor Mike Downey asked if the position would be part time or full time and noted, “the funding ends in 2014. What happens then?” He also wanted to know if the cost would be lower for municipalities with fewer significant threats to source water.
Sinnamon explained the position would require considerable training and need to be full time. She said there had been no discussion among municipal staff at a Jan. 24 meeting about the specifics of a cost-sharing proposal.
Councillor Jim Curry asked if the risk management position could be combined with the existing position of Wellington County emergency management coordinator.
“I think the educational requirements are quite different – this is an engineer,” explained Sinnamon.
“I have a difficult time to support this when there are so many unknowns for our municipality,” said Curry, who indicated he would prefer to know what the future cost-sharing arrangements would be before voting on the proposal.
“It’s going to take a while to have that sort of information,” responded Mayor Bruce Whale. “It’s kind of an awkward process, but it’s been mandated.”
Under the Clean Water Act, municipalities have a choice between implementing their source water plans themselves, working with other municipalities, or delegating to a conservation authority or health unit. However, at a previous meeting, Whale reported that neither Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health or the Grand River Conservation Authority is interested in providing the service.
Curry suggested the Ontario Clean Water Agency might be able to provide the service at some point. “Contracting someone in,” he said, may be the best way to go.
“There’s no one out there to contract at this point,” Whale responded.
A motion to receive the report and accept the Centre Wellington proposal was defeated. Council agreed to request further information on the proposed cost-sharing plan.
