In the face of possible provincial government cutback in funding, Hastings County is focused on growing its assessment base.
The province is considering such things as cutting budgets for public health and consolidating paramedic services.
At a meeting of county council Thursday, CAO Jim Pine said staff is reviewing the provincial budget, along with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
They are looking at ways to respond with recommendations regarding the provincial Progressive Conservative decisions.
Hastings County CAO Jim Pine tells Quinte News nothing is certain just yet, but the way you lessen the burden on local taxpayers is to grow the local economy.
He says you can’t depend on provincial dollars anymore so municipalities have to generate dollars themselves.
Pine says county staff will work with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario in connection with the effect of the provincial budget on local municipalities.
“There’s clear direction that the province intends to take around reducing the deficit and I think that’s the world we live in now. Our own organizations know we respond to such things. It’s hard for me to give you any specifics yet because I don’t know the things that are coming down.”
Pine indicated staff would respond quickly to development applications. “I think the number one thing is speed to developers. It’s one thing we should do for industry. Time is money for industry. We recognize that. We want to be able to do everything …as quickly as possible to make sure they can get shovels in the ground.”
Warden Rick Phillips tells Quinte News his municipality of Tyendinaga Township is concerned about the change in planning rules that lower the number of severances on a property.
Pine pointed to what he called “exciting things ” happening in the north section of the county where a proposal for a cannabis facility is going through the system.
“There’s huge potential for this and we’re working closely with the company right now to help them with a whole bunch of different areas and they’re doing it locally as well.”
