Tim Lanthier, CAO of the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority made a presentation to Council to discuss the changing relationship between the Conservation Authority and Council.
Mr. Lanthier discussed the Mandatory vs. Non-Mandatory Programs with Council.
Category 1: Mandatory Programs and Services
• These are programs that must be provided and for which levy can be apportioned.
• Category 2: Municipal Programs and Services
• These are programs carried out on behalf of a municipality. Costs are determined within service
agreement.
• Category 3: Other Programs and Services
• These are programs that the Authority deems to be advisable to further the purposes of the Act.
• General Operating Expenses
• Corporate and other operating expenses essential to the organization.
Through recent changes to the CAA, the Province has defined Mandatory
programs as programs and services related to:
• Natural Hazards – Planning, Permitting, Flood Forecasting, Flood and Erosion Control
• Management of CA-Owned Lands – passive and related amenities
• Drinking Water Source Protection
Other Items Prescribed:
- Core Watershed-Based Resource Management Strategy
- Water Quality and Quantity Monitoring
New Budget Process:
• One regulation incorporates the previous two.
• Weighted collection of levy from all member municipalities for Category 1 programs and general operating expenses/capital costs. Same as existing.
• Municipal Services agreements to define fee for service for Category 2 programs.
• Agreements for Category 3 programs if apportionment required.
• Board approves for circulation, 30-day circulation period, final Board approval.
The Transition Plan defines the timeline for getting agreements in place.
• GSCA’s Transition Plan was circulated on December 22, 2021.
• Inventory of Programs and Services defines the work that GSCA does,
the cost to provide this work, and Categorization into Category 1, 2, 3 or General Operating Expense.
• GSCA’s Inventory of Programs and Services was circulated on January 28, 2022.
• MOU’s or Agreements will be required between GSCA and each member municipality by December 31, 2023.
As we move forward through this transition, the following actions are necessary:
• Council should ask/provide any questions regarding the inventory ASAP.
• Over the next 2 - 3 months we will be meeting with municipal staff to iron out the agreements.
• Would like to have all agreements signed by ~August 31, 2023, at the latest.
• Create first draft budget under new regulations: ~September 2023
• Implement approved budget under new regulations: January 1, 2024
At this time, to ensure we meet these tight deadlines, we request the following:
• That Council direct Staff to work with GSCA to draft necessary agreement(s).
• That Council direct Staff to bring such agreements back to Council for authorization in June or July 2023.
Council directed staff to work with GSCA to draft necessary agreement(s) and o bring such agreements back to Council for authorization in June or July 2023.