In their last meeting for 2024, the councils of Ryerson, Armour, and the Village of Burk’s Falls met for a Tri Council meeting to review draft budgets for 2025.
Hosted by Ryerson Council, in the Katrine Community centre, the session focused on presentations of draft budgets for activities that the three councils share responsibility for. Delegations were made concerning the landfill, arena, fire hall, library and historical society, with an addendum from Burk’s Falls Mayor Chris Hope regarding a proposed joint ownership and funding for the Almaguin Highlands Health Centre.
Waste Management Administrator Amy Tilley presented a detailed synopsis of the 2025 budget for the Burk’s Falls Landfill. Prior to her budget presentation, Tilly outlined four key concerns facing the Landfill:
1. Residents using the landfill Thursday when adjoining transfer stations are closed. She suggested coordinating days off with other municipal landfills. 2. Drafting a letter to residents who do not participate in the pass system as to the cost and sorting requirements. Currently, the landfill accepts waste from assorted patrons, such as renters in the area who show up with materials but do not possess a pass. The reasoning is it is better than allowing garbage to be dumped on roadways. 3. Consideration of a Contractor Authorization form for contractors to dump waste on behalf of property owners, similar to the previous issue. 4. Staff shortages due to medical leave will be addressed in 2025 with temporary staff.
The Landfill budget proposal for 2025 contains some modest increases, but overall, expected revenues and expenses remain in line with 2024. Capital requirements foresee some major upgrades to the compactor and operator’s cab.
Burk’s Falls, Armour and Ryerson Memorial Arena draft 2025 budget announced projected operating costs to rise 5-9%, explained Arena Manager, Graham Smith, noting his concerns to councils that cuts to balance spending would have negative impacts on existing service levels. Smith pointed out that although revenues (user fees, sign rentals, concessions, skate sharpening etc.) could potentially offset operational costs, we “have to be very careful because we have to stay competitive with surrounding neighbours. And we also want to be able to make sure that we’re not outpricing our facility so that we’re losing rentals as well… which of course would then be a negative offset towards the facility.”
Smith presented his budgets in two parts: revenue/costs and capital requirements, some of which could be planned or deferred over future planning. Revenues have been trending positively, restoring service levels to pre-pandemic levels. The new clock purchased in 2020 has increased advertising despite rate increases. Revenues for ice rentals are up $70,257 from 2022.
While costs remain relatively stable to previous budgets, Smith highlighted his concerns about mounting Insurance premiums, which have increased from $21,982 in 2019 to $48,595 projected in 2025.
There was also discussion about occupational Health and Safety apprehensions for staff working alone in vulnerable places. Additional funds have been added for training and salary considerations.
Capital cost requirements for the Arena are consistent with 2024. Smith projected Capital needs to 2032. Council questioned the timelines for future roof maintenance and repairs in 2031, but Smith stated the roof inspections, done annually, indicate that the roof is sound. The most pressing major repair for 2025 is replacement of Compressor #2 for an estimated $60,000.
Fire Chief Joe Readman’s review noted that some line items have increased in anticipation of the new Fire Hall operations. Other than new equipment and gear, which returns to 2022 levels, the budget is similar to 2024. Later in the meeting, in a quick discussion on the status of the new Fire Hall, Readman explained that they are still awaiting final approval from the MTO, expected by the end of the year.
The Union Public Library draft budget was presented in colourful slides and a soundtrack by Nieves Guijarro. Activities and usage of library services have increased over 2023 and 2024 and are expected to continue. Councils are exploring the suitability of a proposed site location for building a new library close to the existing medical building in Burks Falls, pending a number of constraints, most importantly, funding.
Burk’s Falls and District Historical Society President Diane Brandt submitted her 2024 annual report with a request for $5000 in support from each council for operating costs for 2025. The society maintains most of its activities on two sites within the Burk’s Falls area, supplemented by donations, and is active from March to October. Brandt was warmly acknowledged for her dedication and commitment, giving hundreds of volunteer hours per year to preserve local history.
Following a lengthy discussion, Burk’s Falls Council passed a resolution on the new library project and engineer’s geotechnical proposal for soil sampling to test suitability for the new library at 150 Huston Street in Burks Falls, at a cost of $15,900.
A brief discussion on the Santa Claus Parade to be held December 7, 2024 in the Village of Burk’s Falls concluded the scheduled agenda.
Burk’s Falls Mayor Chris Hope submitted a final item to the meeting: a proposed shared ownership model for the former Burk’s Falls Red Cross Hospital, now referred to as the Almaguin Highlands Health Centre (AHHC) located at 150 Huston Street.
Historically, the Village has carried the costs of sustaining the Centre, which receives no direct and ongoing healthcare infrastructure funding support from the Province of Ontario. Given the importance of the AHHC to the region, not only for medical services but also for diagnostic equipment and staff, funding the Centre in a manner that addresses the aging facility’s necessities for renovation and upgrades is essential to securing the viability and future of the centre. Ongoing discussions are also taking place, and the possibility, dependent on numerous factors, of a new health care centre adjacent to the new Fire Hall building is being investigated.
“A ‘shared ownership” on the existing medical building at 150 Huston Street would be another option, but this hasn’t been discussed with the other municipalities involved as of yet. It was agreed that Burk’s Falls would first present their report to the Almaguin Highlands Health Council (AHHC), which includes all ten municipal members involved,” explained Armour Township Mayor Rod Ward in an email to the Doppler.
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