Spending has to be smart

By CAL PATTERSON – WARDEN’S COLUMN Barrie Examiner Feb 24 2011

Simcoe County Council approved the 2011 operating budget recently, another step along the road to long-term fiscal responsibility.

One only needs to consider the budget, now topping $408 million, in order to understand the size of this great region and the commitment we have to provide a host of quality services to our residents.

This is the first budget to gain approval from our new council, and I would like to commend everyone for asking those important questions and showing leadership during this challenging process. The hard work will ensure the greater good of all member municipalities and residents will be served in 2011.

The annual budget is truly a working document, a business plan that sets out strategy and highlights specific capital projects and addresses challenges we continue to face as a result of growth and the economy.

Simcoe County has a long and proud record of fiscal responsibility, which has once again been recognized by Standard & Poor’s, a global leader in credit ratings and credit risk analysis. Our sound financial practices in 2010 earned an AA-credit rating due to low debt loads and a responsible management approach to providing services in accordance to a long-term business plan.

Residents will experience a 1.5% increase on the county portion of their municipal property taxes in 2011. Council works hard each year to keep the tax rate as low as possible and we believe this year’s increase is responsible and recognizes the challenges faced by many in the current economy. Difficult economic times continue for businesses and families across the region, and our budget includes significant increases in spending for social services to meet the high demand.

The county provides paramedic services, long-term care and social services, including Ontario Works benefits, to residents across the region, which includes the cities of Barrie and Orillia. We have allotted $14 million to Ontario Works spending in 2011.

With the budget approved this early in the year, council is able to move forward with several construction projects totalling $44 million in the transportation and engineering department. Earlier tenders will ensure we obtain the best pricing and highest quality contractors to complete road resurfacing and rehabilitation and other construction projects.

Along with significant roads projects, the budget includes provisions to build new paramedic stations in Alliston and Beeton. For Beeton, funds are to be used for site investigation, preparation and conceptual designs with the balance of the project to be budgeted in 2012. The subject site is the soon-to-be abandoned county works yard at Main and Patterson streets. It would replace temporary accommodations now at Simcoe Manor.

Budget approval is a long and often challenging process that begins about half way through the year at the county. This year was further complicated and extended due to the municipal election, which was held in October 2010. That election brought many new faces to county council and those individuals assumed the responsibility of approving the budget that was scrutinized and recommended by the previous council.

Each standing committee received in-depth presentations and had opportunities to ask questions and recommend revisions to the proposed budget.

With a few alterations, council approved the budget as presented, which shows our commitment to smart spending and improving services to our residents.

For more information about the 2011 budget and county of Simcoe services, please visit www.simcoe.ca.

Cal Patterson is the Simcoe County Warden