Peter Hambly says authority staff and directors have worked hard to keep the overall budget increase at under two percent.
He blames the lack of provincial funding on why the authority has had to ask its member municipalities for an eight percent levy increase.
At one time, the province funded almost all activities of conservation authorities. The amount is now down to less than five percent.
Hambly admits the levy increase is hard for municipalities to swallow and could be unacceptable for them to agree to.
He hopes Hanover council supports the budget but agrees with comments suggesting that efforts be made to make sure Saugeen Conservation is spending its money as efficiently as possible.
Hambly believes the authority’s programs are worthwhile but can’t continue without proper provincial funding.
He says if the province doesn’t come forward with funding, then the municipalities have to.
Hambly says the authority is “stuck in the middle” with the current budget situation.
