It’s time to say no.
So says Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith when it comes to the budget request from the Saugeen Conservation Authority.
At a recent preliminary budget meeting (FEB. 8), the conservation budget shows a charge of almost $15,000 to the town in 2010 and that would increase to just over $21,400 in 2011.
It represents a 5.8% increase.
Mayor Smith says it’s too much, despite the good work the conservation authority does.
He says for the past several years, there have been significant increases and it’s time to get a handle on it.
He says this latest request is well above any tax levy that will be established and that means, money would have to be taken from other departments to satisfy the request.
He’s hoping the two reps from council on the conservative board–Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau and Vice Deputy Mayor Doug Gowanlock–will take the town’s message back to them.
Smith says the conservation authority needs to find new ways at looking what they authority does for the province and how it can be cost-effective.
