It is one less thing for the Grey Bruce Health Unit to worry about as they get set to move into their new building.
Medical Officer of Health Doctor Hazel Lynn announced at Friday’s Board meeting in Kincardine that the Province has accepted their 2008 draft budget.
The budget is set at 8.5 million dollars which is a five percent increase over last year’s budget.
The amount also includes a one-time grant of 624 thousand dollars.
Doctor Lynn says the fact that the Ministry of Health agreed to their budget is awesome.
She says 75 percent of the budget is paid for by the Ministry and it is would have been a different story if they did not accept the budget.
She recalls last year’s budget was sent back to the Board 500 thousand dollars less than what they had asked for.
Doctor Lynn says the Health Unit wouldn’t have been able to make that money up this time around to balance the budget.
The remaining 25 percent is covered by both Grey and Bruce Counties.
A large majority of that budget is going towards wages and benefits.
But Board Chair Larry Kraemer says a portion will also be going to help pay for the new office building in Owen Sound.
He says unlike last year where they worked in a building that they owned, the Health Unit will be carrying a mortgage with their new building.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit is set to move into their new building on August 25th.
