Trying to get COVID-19 funding

Belleville is in the midst of dealing with the financial implications of COVID-19.

So far the city has received $1.12 million in the special funding from senior governments.

Director of Finance Carol Hinze told city council’s capital budget meeting on Tuesday there is a short time period when this must be spent.

An application on projects must be made no later than September of next year and the projects completed by the end of December 2021.

Hinze says staff is reviewing just what projects would fit into that time frame and is concentrating on parks and recreation.

“These programs will improve the existing infrastructure as opposed to new initiatives. In connection with Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the possibilities include improvements to Cascade Park, Stanley Parkette and Bird Park.”

The city is also looking at some funding available under the Rural Economic Development Fund.

“We have a number of projects within the current budget which might be good candidates for the funding including improvements to the city hall Mansards and facade trail improvements and Meyers Pier’s Dock B”

Hinze explained, “The funding for capital is 30% and municipal at 70%.”

Mayor Mitch Panciuk told council that these may have to be re-examined depending on when or if funds become available.

“Certainly since March it is unprecedented the amount of information that we are lacking and yet we have to go through our own process to set budgets and to move forward. And, it’s unlikely that’s going to change in the next little while. So you’ve had to make a number of assumptions which may be revised. I think council we understand that and we appreciate it.”