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Counties count zero on budget plan
St-Pierre noted that the counties prop- erty tax portion represents about half of the total tax bill homeowners and business owners receive in their mail each year. The municipal property tax allocation makes up most of the other half along with those for the school districts, provincial government, South Nation Conservation Authority, and a few other agencies. Knowing that the coun- ties budget may not require a rate increase, St-Pierre observed, makes it easier to ex- plain to taxpayers who their tax bill works out. “I’m very happy that the counties are in such good shape,” said François St-Amour, The Nation mayor, adding that when he was the UCPR warden there was a focus on building up the counties’ budget reserves. He also cautioned that one reason why The bylaw states that council members “must serve and be seen to serve their con- stituents in a conscientious and dignified manner…must be committed to perform- ing their functions with integrity, avoiding the improper use of the influence of their office, and conflicts of interest, both appar- ent and real…perform their duties in office and arrange their private affairs in a man- ner that promotes public confidence and will bear close public scrutiny…recognize and act upon the principle that democra- cy is best achieved when the operation of
the counties is able to enjoy a “zero budget” situation is because the provincial govern- ment has begun uploading some of the expenses, like land ambulance costs, that used to be the total responsibility of the counties, which then had to share the bur- den with member municipalities, thus driv- ing up their property tax rates. “We’re going to need a few years of zeroes to catch up on the downloading,” St-Amour said. The mayors representing the eight mem- ber municipalities on counties council will receive their review copies of the budget report by email next week. If they have no changes to suggest to staff before the November session, then the final version of the 2014 budget could be ready for approval before Christmas. government is made as transparent and ac- countable to members of the public as pos- sible…serve the public interest by uphold- ing both the letter and spirit of the laws of Parliament and the Ontario legislature, as well as the laws and policies adopted by the municipal council.” The bylaw sets guidelines for behaviour of council members during meetings and how they are to treat staff. It also sets guide- lines for determining potential conflict of interest situations along with sanctions for any infractions.
GREGGCHAMBERLAIN gregg.chamberlain@eap.on.ca
L’ORIGNAL | Next month counties council members could be looking at a big zero for the 2014 regional budget. That is the goal that staff for the United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR) have set for next year’s tax rate increase if all their calculations for expenses and revenue work out. “The financial state of the counties is excellent,” said Stéphane Parisien, coun- ties chief administrator, as he presented a verbal preview of the draft budget report during the Oct. 9 committee of the whole council session.
“Whenever you put forward a budget of zero per cent (tax rate), I will never question your ability to deliver,” said Mayor Jean-Paul St-Pierre of Russell Township.
Clarence-Rockland council considers code of conduct VISION vision@eap.on.ca ing the session.
Details of the proposed code of conduct bylaw are on the municipal website at www.clarence-rockland.com under the Avis Publiques section of the French-language version of the website. Deadline for public comments on the bylaw was Oct. 11. The bylaw is based on related portions of the Ontario Municipal Act, Municipal Con- flict of Interest Act, Municipal Elections Act, Municipal Freedom of Information and Pro- tection of Privacy Act, and the federal Crimi- nal Code.
ROCKLAND | Before the end of October council members for the City of Clarence- Rockland may have their own official code of conduct to follow. Last month Bylaw 2013-116 received first reading. The bylaw, Promote High Stan- dards of Conduct for Members of Municipal Council, comes up for second reading dur- ing the Oct. 21 regular council session. Third and final reading may also take place dur-
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