Town wants no reduction in provincial funding

Correspondence sent to Essex MPP Bruce Crozier

Posted By Ron Giofu/The Amherstburg Echo

Posted 2 months ago

AMHERSTBURG — The town has sent correspondence to Essex MPP Bruce Crozier as well as the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) asking that the municipality's share of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund remain intact.

A report from treasurer Paul Beneteau stated that the town has been advised by AMO that there will be a decrease in the OMPF grant by $250,000. That represents a 1.94 percent increase to the general tax rate. Councillor John Sutton stated at the Nov. 9 meeting of council that it was "the most important report before us.

"It is imperative that the province reinstate the full municipal partnership fund," added Sutton. He added that such a report underscores "why we take the actions we do," in reference to earlier debate on the sale of Ranta Marina.

Total funding for both 2008 and 2009 was $1,017,700.

"It will have a devastating impact if they fail to continue this funding," added Mayor Wayne Hurst.

Beneteau's report states the OMPF was established in 2005 to assist municipalities in offsetting additional expenses incurred as a result of the province reallocating some services to municipalities, replacing the Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF).

"OMPF is based on two components," Beneteau explained. "The first component falls under the Northern and Rural Communities Grant. This grant provides funding to northern and rural communities in recognition of the unique challenges they face. In order to support this grant, a rural and small community measure has been calculated for each municipality to determine the proportion of its population living in rural areas or small communities. This component provides funding to municipalities based on the proportion of their population that is living in rural areas or small communities. Municipalities with a rural and small community measure of 75 percent or more receive the full per household amount of $150."

Beneteau added that municipalities with a rural and small community measure between 25 percent and 75 percent receive a portion of this funding on a sliding scale with that component representing $354,500 in 2009.

"The second component provides funding to rural communities to support policing costs," Beneteau added. "This grant provides funding equal to 50 percent of eligible police costs above $150 per household for municipalities that have a rural and small community component. Municipalities with a rural and small community measure between 25 percent and 75 percent receive a portion of this funding on a sliding scale. The town's 2009 allocation amounts to $413,300."