"$56"- * 54 r /&84
New draft budget well-received by council
GREGG CHAMBERLAIN gregg.chamberlain@eap.on.ca
Counties approve cell service resolution The United Counties of Prescott-Russell council (UCPR) gave its official approval to a resolution of support to a cellphone service improvement project for Eastern Ontario.The Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus (EOWC) and the Eastern On- tario Regional Network (EORN) are working on a region-wide plan to improve cellular phone service and eliminate “dead zones” in cell phone service in Eastern Ontario.The twin goals of the project are to help further stimulate and support economic growth in the region and also improve public safety by ensuring that contact with and between fire, ambulance and police services by cellphone is possible during emergency situa- tions. – Gregg Chamberlain five-page summary brief of the latest revi- sions to the 2018 preliminary budget report. The suggested reductions would cut another $300,000 approximately from the expense side of the budget, bringing it down fromabout $43million to under $42million. It also reduces the original 5.4 per cent tax rate increase needed for the first draft of the budget to 2.7 per cent. Last month counties council asked admi- nistration to try to bring the tax rate increase for the budget down to 2.5 per cent, though mayors Pierre Leroux of Russell Township and Fernand Dicaire of Alfred-Plantagenet Township indicated they could accept a rate increase of 3.6 per cent if it meant helping the counties meet both current and future asset management needs after several past years of zero-per cent budget increases. The 2.7 per cent tax rate increase would translate to about $27 more for the average homeowner on his or her counties property tax bill. During a later interview, Ménard- Brault said the latest revisions will allow the counties to maintain existing services without having to either cut programs or lay off staff. “I think it’s an excellent budget,” said Ménard-Brault. She noted that the revised budget will also allow the UCPR to make good on its commitment to a contract with the Town of Hawkesbury to maintain fire dispatch call service for six of the UCPR’s member muni- cipalities.The City of Clarence-Rockland has its own separate fire dispatch call service contract with the City of Ottawa. The revised budget will also allow the UCPR to participate in the Eastern Ontario Rural Network (EORN) cellular broadband project.The EORN cellular project goal is to eliminate the number of “dead zones” for cellular phone service in Eastern Ontario. The benefits include allowing cellphone users to call 911 anywhere in the region during emergencies, and also boost the region’s potential even more for economic development as many businesses now rely on dependable cellphone connections with their employees and clients. The draft budget will come back before counties council for final review and a pos- sible approval vote during its November 22 regular session.
The United Counties of Prescott-Russell council may meet its budget deadline for 2018 with weeks to spare after all. “I am personally prepared to support this,” said warden Gary Barton during the Nov. 8 UCPR committee of the whole council session. Julie Ménard-Brault, director of finance for the counties, presented council with a JulieMénard-Brault, directrice des finances des Comtés unis de Prescott-Russell, a présenté le 8 novembre sa deuxième ébauche du budget de 2018. Cette nouvelle ébauche prévoit une augmentation de 2,7% du taux d’imposition plutôt que 5,4 %, tel que présenté dans l’ébauche de septembre. —photo d’archives
UNE ÉQUIPE AU CŒUR DÉVOUÉ QUI ENRICHIT LA VIE DES RÉSIDENTS!
JOURNÉE PORTES OUVERTES & BAZAR LE SAMEDI 25 NOVEMBRE 11H À 15H Marché local · fleuriste · pâtisseries · tricots · décorations · rafraîchissements ·
Information sur nos nouvelles suites PROMOTION: 50% RABAIS SUR UN MOIS
1122, Notre-Dame | Embrun ON 613-443-1690 | admin@lepavillon.ca VEUILLEZ NOUS TÉLÉPHONER POUR PLUS D'INFORMATION OU VISITER www.peachtreeliving.com
www. editionap .ca
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog