Cecilia Nasmith
With the third quarter of Northumberland County’s fiscal year ending on Sept 30, county council heard at its October meeting that the budget is primarily on target at this point.
Glenn Dees was accompanied by chief administrative officer Jennifer Moore for the report, with Moore highlighting some significant achievements of the third quarter.
Moore organized her presentation according to the four strategic pillars.
Under Economic Innovation and Prosperity, Moore said that a settlement-services co-ordinator has been hired and that (in collaboration with Alderville First Nation) an application has been made to host the 2019 Ontario Indigenous Summer Games.
“We met with the evaluation committee yesterday,” Moore said.
Under Sustainable Infrastructure, she had updates on three emergency-services bases. The Colborne one is completed, the Roseneath one is expected to go live in November, and the Campbellford one should be completed by April 2020.
The process for the Golden Plough Lodge-and-archives build is proceeding, with updates to be shared as it goes along, and the waste-relocation-and-cell-development process in the Brighton landfill is under way,
A newly hired grant writer has submitted applications for more than $750,000 in funding in her first three months. She expects to be able to deliver at least $80,000 in funding for 2019.
And an information-technology strategic plan is being completed with security upgrades and training for staff.
Under Thriving and Inclusive Communities, Affordable Housing Strategy engagement sessions have been hosted, and the fourth annual Surviors Day event recognizing first responders saw 12 cardiac-arrest survivors in attendance.
Two of Northumberland’s paramedics have received exemplary-service medals from the Governor-General, and a number of them escorted participants on the 2018 Paramedic Ride through the county.
Moore added that the county has submitted application to the Ministry of Finance to opt out of the Property Tax Vacancy Rebate Program.
Under Organizational Excellence, they are developing and enhancing mechanisms to share information, experience and technological best practices through local working groups, such as the intermunicipal working group that continues to meet regularly.
They have completed an RFP for banking services with a view toward preferential fees and interest rates.
Moore was especially pleased with the new power lift-load stretcher installations that are now complete in the county’s ambulances, and she says the paramedics are too.
And she speaks from experience – she took a test ride acting as a patient being transported.
“It’s a very smooth ride,” she commented.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
