Orsi wants a bigger voice at county

By Sara Ross, Orillia Packet & Times November 16, 2012 

Orillia needs a stronger voice when it comes to County of Simcoe decisions that impact the city, Mayor Angelo Orsi says. “Our dollars are going there, so we should have a say in its finality,” Orsi said Thursday.

County council is made up of mayors and deputy mayors from 16 towns and townships. Orillia and Barrie are separated cities, but do share responsibility for human services — like land-ambulance services — with the county.

The two cities are represented on county council through committees.

At Tuesday’s human services committee meeting, Orsi supported Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman’s motion to phase the proposed 2013 capital spending for land-ambulance services over two years.

Committee voted in support of the motion and sent it to county council, which meets Nov. 27 for budget decisions.

“Even though it’s our recommendation, it can be defeated at county council because we’re not there to carry the vote on that,” Orsi said.

The Orillia mayor is interested in sitting at the county council table for matters, like human services, that impact the city.

“That would be unique, but would be more consistent with our position,” Orsi said.

The county’s draft 2013 budget includes a $11.1-million budget for paramedic services compared to $10.4 million in 2012. Orillia’s share would be increased $205,000 to $1.45 million in 2013 from $1.25 million in 2012. Barrie would see a $948,000 increase from $5.58 million in 2012 to $6.53 million in 2013.

The county is proposing $5.42 million in capital projects for paramedic services in 2013.

“While I understand the need to do these things, I just think they’re trying to do too much in one year,” Lehman told The Packet &?Times. “It does have a substantial financial impact on my municipality.”

Phasing over two years is a reflection of the fiscal times, he said.

“…All levels of government have to make some tough choices right now on additional spending,” Lehman said.

Orsi agreed spending should be phased over two years.

“We need to be sensitive to the overall budget,” he said. “…Every dollar counts and if we can stretch it out and… phase it in, it’s probably easier for the tax base.”

The County of Simcoe is looking to construct three paramedic stations — in Alliston, Collingwood and Beeton — in 2013 and wants to replace six ambulances, refurbish two and replace other equipment.

“All three of those (station) projects are carry-over from previous years,” Jane Sinclair, general manager, health and emergency services, said Thursday. “Because of timing issues and other projects… those projects weren’t completed in the original timeframes.”

Renegotiations with the cost-sharing agreement also impacted Orillia’s and Barrie’s shares.

“Vehicles (are) always a significant capital expenditure for paramedic services given the geography we are responsible for,” Sinclair said.

All budget recommendations from human services and corporate services go to the performance management committee for recommendation.

On Thursday, the county’s performance management committee — which does not have representation from Orillia or Barrie — voted to not recommend Lehman’s phased-in approach to county council.

“There’s no final decision until council meets on Nov. 27,” Brenda Clark, county clerk, said. “Council has the final say.”

If county council decides to go ahead with the full 2013 proposed budget without phasing it in over two years, Orsi will consider taking action.

“We hope the recommendation from the human services committee goes through and if it doesn’t, perhaps that’s something we have to look at,” he said.

Clark said it is possible to add a city mayor to county council.

“Anything’s possible,” she said. “There is a process that would have to be undertaken to change the composition of county council.”

The County of Simcoe is guided by the municipal act that only allows member municipalities to sit on an upper-tier council. As Barrie and Orillia are not member municipalities, they are not represented on county council. Any changes to the municipal government structure would have to go through the municipal act.

Lehman is hopeful county council will listen to the separated cities.

“I know they’ll remember us and… hopefully there will be support for my motion because all of us in all municipalities are squeezed by the fiscal times,” he said. “That’s a lot for us to do in one year.”

The county is also looking to add eight full-time paramedics.

“We’ve seen, particularly in the last year, a significant increase in the number of calls we’re responding to,” Sinclair said. “We have not introduced additional front-line paramedics to our service since 2007.”

Lehman is in support of the additional hires.

“I’m supportive of them adding new staff… because I believe there is a need,” he said.

Orsi isn’t convinced.

He said there’s an issue with paramedics being in hospitals for too long after dropping off patients.

“What’s happening is they’re basically stuck there until the hospital signs them off as being accepted,” Orsi said. “That’s tying up a lot of time and money for paramedic services. We just want more information before we go out and hire more people.”

The performance management committee is recommending the eight paramedics — brought on last year on a temporary basis — remain temporary, Clark said.