The budget for supplies, materials and equipment in the county’s emergency management budget was way over when county treasurer Craig Dyer reported last month to the finance committee.
That prompted county councillor Bruce Whale to ask why there was a “discrepancy” of $96,500 in that section when county council considered its financial reports. The annual budget was just $5,200 and the percentage increase was 1,956.
Dyer explained the entire amount was due to the emergency spending for the peoples of Sandy Lake who were housed in Arthur this summer after forest fires in northern Ontario.
Dyer assured county councillors that the county is filing claims with the federal government and he expects “the vast majority” of that spending will be reimbursed.
Councillors agreed to fund any municipal costs from its corporate contingency reserve.
In another financial matter, council agreed additional costs for the new central garage (phase one) would be funded from the roads capital reserve, and the balance of the projected 2011 operating budget surplus would be transferred in equal amounts to the roads capital reserve and the county property reserve.
Councillor Lou Maieron asked how much the county garage estimate was short, and Warden Chris White said it was estimated at $500,000 and is now $1 million.
