Southwestern Public Health last month presented its 2024 levy to the city and it came at a whopping 37 per cent increase over last year’s levy.
For this year, the city is obliged to pay just over $1.5 million, up from $1.1 million in 2023.
In his report to city council, Dan Sheridan, the city’s Director of Finance advised, “Section 72 of the Health Protection and Promotions Act requires obligated municipalities to pay the expenses of health units; therefore, staff are not seeking approval for the increase, just making Council aware of the increase.”
City staff had budgeted for a four per cent increase so there is a an almost $400,000 shortfall this year.
Sheridan is hopeful can be offset by surpluses in other areas.
The levy drew instant pushback from members of council.
Can it be appealed, Coun. Steve Peters wondered.
Coun. Gary Clarke took it a step further, “let’s vote no and see where it goes. This is an outrageous budget request.”
Coun. Steve Wookey cautioned, “I would like to hear from the authority (the health unit) in person, my guess is they are doing things that are mandated by the province.”
Mayor Joe Preston chimed in with, “Health is not in the municipal budget. We have to be firm with the health unit that increases have to be held to a certain limit.”
Sheridan admitted, “I don’t know what alternatives there are to appeal.”
He added, “I have not heard from the Ministry of Health on our options. We are required to start paying on a monthly basis.”
Council voted 8-1 to accept the report and ask for further information from Southwestern Public Health.
Coun. Clarke was the lone dissenting vote.
As a result, a trio of representatives from the health unit, including Program Director Peter Heywood, are going to make a presentation to council at Monday’s (March 11) meeting.
