Draft NVCA budget proposes levy increase of 3.5 per cent

News release from the NVCA November 30 2012 

Wayne Wilson, CAO/Secretary-Treasurer, presented to the Board the NVCA’s draft 2013 budget, which reflects a levy increase of 3.5%. This is an increase of $0.15 per watershed resident for a total cost of $8.97 per person to provide all of the conservation services required to preserve our healthy waters. The percentage increase is consistent with population growth pressures and inflation. The NVCA also proposes to use $285,000 from reserves to support the draft budget.

The Board authorized staff to circulate the draft budget to NVCA municipalities for review and input before the Board votes on it in February 2013.

NVCA PLANNING AND REGULATION REVIEW FEES TO BE STUDIED

It is the NVCA’s policy to charge user fees for services related to planning and development, to ensure development is safe (i.e. not within a floodplain or erosion hazard area) and not harmful to wetlands and other vital natural areas. Development applications range in scope from individual residents building on or improving their property to more substantial projects such as new subdivisions and commercial growth.

The current fee structure recovers approximately 65% of the cost of the planning program, with the remainder coming from municipal levy. This reflects the fact that not all of the program’s work is development related ? the NVCA also participates in activities including Municipal Permitting, Official Plans, Secondary Plans and Comprehensive Zoning By-Laws.

The Board voted to strike an ad hoc committee comprised of both Board and staff members to review the current fee schedule and policy. They instructed staff to prepare draft terms of reference to be presented at the December 14, 2012, Board of Directors meeting, at which time the committee will be formed. No changes to the fee structure will be made until such time as the committee reports back to the Board at a date to be determined.

PLANNING PROGRAM CONTINUES TO ADAPT TO IMPROVE SERVICE

In 2010, a third-party review of the planning program resulted in 36 recommendations related to such things as organizational capacity and governance, municipal alignment and partnerships, education, communication and awareness. The recommendations were prioritized and staff have been working on them as resources permit, following the Board’s direction.

Staff updated the Board on the actions that have been taken thus far, including updating the list of works not requiring NVCA permit approval, implementing a triage approach to ensure that critical issues receive immediate attention and working with municipalities to establish planning agreements.

Implementation of the recommendations continues to be a high priority, and NVCA staff will continue to identify and update implementation strategies through the  business plan.

CURRENT FEE STRUCTURE WILL APPLY TO BALMORAL SUBDIVISION

The Board of Directors heard an appeal of NVCA planning fees from representatives of Black Ash Enterprises and Lucas & Associates Consultants in Planning and Land Development regarding a proposed subdivision in Collingwood. The Balmoral subdivision would include single-family homes, townhomes and mid-rise apartment units.

Staff noted that the current fee schedule is generally consistent with adjacent Conservation Authorities in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, and continues to represent the best means of addressing the cost of implementing the planning program.

The Board directed staff to use the current NVCA fee schedule for the Balmoral application.

NVCA TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH OMAFRA TO STUDY AGRICULTURAL PHOSPHORUS USE

Land in the Innisfil Creek subwatershed is primarily used for agriculture, including potato, carrot, onion and sod production. Watershed modelling indicates that fertilizer applied to cropland is a key source of the high levels of phosphorus consistently found in the surface water of this area. High levels of phosphorous lead to an increase in algae and low oxygen levels in the water, potentially killing fish and other aquatic life.

The NVCA currently lacks a detailed understanding of the application of nutrients to the landscape and its impacts downstream. The Board authorized the NVCA to enter into an agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) for a project on agricultural phosphorus use in the Innisfil Creek Subwatershed. A total of $40,000 in funding will be provided by OMAFRA, with no additional funds required from the NVCA.

BOARD APPROVES NEW POLICIES & PROCEDURES

The Board approved two NVCA policies and procedures, effective immediately. The Accessible Standards for Customer Service & Use of Assistive Devices has been implemented in accordance with the requirements of the provincial Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, Ontario Reg. 429/07. The Employee Expense Policy & Procedure has been revised to reflect the current NVCA organizational structure.

For the full agenda including documents and reports, please visit our website: http://nvca.on.ca/meetings/BoardofDirectors/Agendas/