My view: Springwater Budget – A Different Direction?

Bill and Lorraine French.

I was so pleased to see the leadership at the budget meetings in the last two weeks being provided by Councillors Cabral, Ritchie, Hanna and Moore. They seem to understand that this year is not like any other and that control needs exercised. Through a motion by Councillor Ritchie, Council provided direction to staff to go back to the drawing board and come back with a zero tax rate increase. As usual the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Ward 3 Councillor opposed this move.

Even a zero tax rate increase will not mean your tax bill won’t increase as your assessment might have increased and the tax rate is applied against that. However, a zero tax rate increase would soften the blow. I know the senior staff can do it and I hope they heed the direction of Council rather than skirting around the request and cherry picking reductions that none of Council would support. That is an old trick that has been used in the past.

In particular, even though supported by a majority of Council (Cabral and Hanna opposed the recommendation), why would we add dollars to the library budget for an early education specialist. Education is a Provincial Tax dollar responsibility and with COVID-19 the Province has ramped up and have great online learning opportunities that you are paying for with your provincial tax dollars.

Another subject that would add dollars was adding a surcharge tax for improved broadband service in Springwater. We all agree that the internet services in Springwater and other rural municipalities is terrible, but communication is a Federal responsibility and we pay them to provide these services. The County of Simcoe along with other Counties and Regions have been lobbying for five years committed big dollars and little has been accomplished as this is a federal responsibility. Our pittance would make little difference except adding a burden on every taxpayer in Springwater and like most taxes would never disappear.

Springwater needs to stay focussed on the delivery of the local services we are responsible for such as Policing, Fire and Emergency Services, roads, recreation and leave these other “wants” to the levels of government that are responsible. I thank the four Councillors for being aware of the challenges residents are experiencing and very disappointed that our two heads of Council still seem to be disconnected with the reality we are currently living in.

Virtual Meetings – What do you think?

I know we are all participating in virtual meeting with various organizations to be safe. However, I belong to an organization that as soon as restrictions were lifted in June we developed hybrid models to host in person and virtual participants, and the leadership is attending the live setting. It is held in a supervised facility. I attend and am in that three quarter of a century age bracket and I feel safe. We have had about 20 meetings since then and no issues, as we have well defined protocols and follow the three Musts (Distancing, Wear Masks and Wash and disinfect hands).

As a former elected official, I find it odd that the current Springwater elected leaders want to be safe, but have no problem having their emergency services, some administrative staff, recreation, library and public works perform their modified functions in the real world. If you have ever attended a meeting in the Springwater Council chambers, it is ideal to have a physically distanced live meeting. If nothing else, it shows an appreciation and understanding for everyone else that must perform their jobs and take calculated risks everyday to service the needs of us taxpayers along with the many residents that have to work each day outside their home.

But alas, that would take leadership and vision and, as I have said, there is giant void at this time in Springwater. I raised the question some time ago during a Council Question Period about live meetings but the answer was deflected by our Mayor to the CAO who had to parrot that they are following an option (not a directive) of the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.

That seems to make sense, sort of. If that is the case and policy, why does the Committee of Adjustment meet in the chamber for their meetings? Do the two heads of Council think that they and Council are more important and above everyone else?

Bill served as Mayor of Springwater and a County of Simcoe Councillor from 2014 to 2018 and has taught business at the college level for over 15 years.