The Grey Bruce health unit budget is coming in at 10.28 million dollars for 2009, which is up 3.8% from last year.
Figures released by the board show the cost of the Mortgage for the new waterfront property at one million and 50 thousand dollars a year, and it will stay at that level for 25 years.
That number is up 200 thousand dollars from what had been budgeted last year and represents a 23.53% increase.
MOH Dr. Hazel Lynn defended the budget numbers saying the cost of accommodation is well within the target set by the province.
Both OPSEU and ONA representatives have claimed the board is laying off staff in order to pay for the new facility.
In the budget for 2009, there is a decrease in program staff spending of 173 thousand dollars.
That includes non-union workers, members of ONA and OPSEU Pro-tech workers.
Also, there is a drop of 170 thousand dollars in program support staff costs.
Dr. Lynn says those workers are mainly OPSEU members.
The MOH says the layoffs are not related to the cost of the new building, but stem from budget restraints imposed by Queens Park.
