The Independent

Members of the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority board will have one big task to complete before it merges into a new regional authority – building a budget.

And it has to be done by June.

General Manager Ken Phillips told board members April 16 the province is now directing the 37 conservation authorities to prepare one last budget before nine regional bodies are formed.

Originally, the province suggested the merger would take place after the October elections.

“Initially, they said the existing board of directors will be dissolved as of October 26…now they’ve sort of massaged that a bit to say the existing board will still sit until such a time as the new board of directors has been appointed,” says Phillips.

That’s why the province is tasking the current authorities with a new budget.

Phillips suggests it could be passed by the board by June with member municipalities okaying the document by September.

“The unfortunate reality for our municipal partners is you will be voting on a budget that…you will have to pay, but will have no say in, control over, how it’s actually implemented.”

Phillips adds when the new regions are formed “there is a strong possibility there will be a significant increase in our area for levies.”