Councillors here remain disappointed with a proposed increase to levies by area conservation authorities.
Although Wellington North has already sent a letter outlining its concerns to the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority, on Monday, similar letters were adopted to send to the Maitland Valley and Grand River Conservation Authorities.
Each letter noted “our council has offered many times to accompany the conservation authority in discussion with the Ministry of Natural Resources in regard to funding. Council [has] met with ministry representatives, but feels it would be of more benefit if a joint effort were made to discuss funding. We do not understand why the conservation authority is so reluctant to work with council to try to obtain further funding from the province.
Discussion started after receiving a letter from the Township of Chatsworth, which asked council’s support of its resolution for a maximum increase of 2.5% to the conservation authority levies.
Before council discussed it, Mayor Mike Broomhead read letters to be sent to the various conservation authorities.
He noted the increases from the GRCA were not so bad (in comparison). Each letter pointed out that each conservation authority has implemented substantial increases to the levies over recent years.
SVCA increases
This year, the SVCA proposed an 8.627% increase.
In the previous three years the increases were 12.275% (2006), 14.985% (2007), and 10.502% last year.
GRCA increases
This year, the GRCA proposed a 5.02% increase.
In the previous three years the increases were 8.30% (2006), 6.38% (2007), and 5.42%.
MVCA increases
This year, the Maitland authority proposed an 8.19% increase.
In the previous three years those increases were 44.4% (2006), 9.4% (2007), and 9.5%.
Broomhead said the most disappointing thing is, “We do a lot of lobbying, and we’ve been successful. We can see the rewards of taking the time, and putting the effort into lobbying.”
Even if it is a trip to Toronto for a 15 minute meeting, or whatever, “If that is what you need to do, then you do it.”
He noted that a representative of the Grand River Conservation Authority telephoned him last Friday about an article in one of the local papers, and was not happy. But then he asked that person why there is a reluctance to have municipal partners with them in lobbying efforts. “I don’t understand that. No one seems to have an answer,” Broomhead said.
He said the person did not seem to have an answer either.
The reason given was that each conservation authority involves numerous municipalities, and the challenge is getting everyone in the same room.
However Broomhead said his council is ready to go wherever was needed.
Councillor Dan Yake said it seems other municipalities are slowly but surely starting to get on the bandwagon as well. He had no problem supporting Chatsworth’s resolution.
Councillor Ross Chaulk added, “It’s good to see others starting to jump on board.”
Broomhead said it is one thing to say taxes must increase because their is no support from another level of government. “If that is the case why the levy is increasing, then we have to work together to change that. The only way that will happen is if we stand united.”
Broomhead said one thing he considered interesting was, “The articles in the paper were quite good, but sometimes the wrong message gets out.”
He stressed that the discussion in no way was critical of the work of conservation authorities. The projects are all worthwhile.
