The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board recently revealed the details of their approved operating Budget for 2007.
Chair Maureen Boldt was pleased to disclose that the board managed to keep the overall budget under control with a modest increase of 4.07% from 2006 for total of $59,386,902. She also noted that the municipal share represents an increase of 2.7% coming in at $29,487,016 and comprises 49.65% of the total budget.
In thanking MPP Monique Smith, Boldt was most happy to announce that the Board will be giving a 2% rebate to member municipalities. For most, the rebate will bring the net impact of the 2007 Budget to less than 1%.
“We had some serious issues in our region that are unique in the province, but we have phenomenal management here, but we also had additional funding from the provincial government that no other municipality got, they recognised our issues and they came to the table for us quietly,” she says.
Bold explained that the province gave the board special funding to do an socio-economic impact study to identify the special unique circumstances the area faces.
“So we took that funding and did the research and came up with what the issues were in our region. Such as identifying that fact that we have two and half times the provincial average of people on Ontario Disability Support Programs, such as we have two times the provincial average of people on Ontario Works.”
“We have the lowest education levels in the region and we have the most single parent families … we have the lowest household incomes. We’ve identified all kinds of issues like that, our job now with this board, we’ve decided to see what it is we can do to change that outlook,” she continued.
“The future is bleak with that crystal ball we’ve seen, we want to see what we can to resolve the issue. That’s why we’re going to have a task force, we’ve got the issues now we want to come up with solutions. We’re going to look at a short term, medium term and long range goals for the region to see how we can make it a healthier community.”
Bold also said the taxpayer would have had to come to the table with another half million dollars had the province not come to the table with special funding.
“Because we’ve identified our unique circumstances they came to the table financially for us so it’s taken the burden off our local taxpayer. To the point were we are almost a million dollars in surplus from last year, and we’re returning it back to our local regional partners, 2 % now and probably another refund once our books are audited.”
Complete details are contained in the news release below.
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Chair Maureen Boldt is pleased to announce that the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board approved the operating Budget for 2007 at its regular meeting held on February 14, 2007:
The overall budget is $59,386,902 - an increase of 4.07% from 2006.
The Municipal share is $29,487,016 and comprises 49.65% of the total budget and represents an increase of 2.7% over 2006.
Based on increased revenues and expenditure controls which realized savings from 2006 operations, the Board will provide a 2% rebate to Member Municipalities. For most, the rebate will bring the net impact of the 2007 Budget to less than 1%.
Chair Boldt states, “ the Budget preparation process this year was made easier by the Provincial Government when the Ministries that we depend on for funding stepped up to the plate early with their share of the Board’s costs. I want to personally thank Monique Smith, our Member of the Provincial Parliament for her ongoing support and recognition of those most in need in our District”.
Key Features of DNSSAB 2007 Budget
- Improved Revenue
- Increase of $284,000 from Ministry of Health and Long-term Care for Emergency Medical Services;
- Increase of $240,000 from the Ministry of Community and Social Services to enhance Ontario Works Employment initiatives and Homelessness Services.
Targeted Expenditure Increases
- Provides a 2% increase in the Municipal Share of Ontario Disability Support Program and Ontario Works Program Benefits;
- Enhances Emergency Medical Services by funding additional weekend shift coverage in West Nipissing and providing a full year staffing pattern for the Municipality of South Algonquin and the Highway 60 corridor of Algonquin Park;
- Supports the implementation of the Affordable Housing Program components that will provide assistance to qualified renters who may be in a position to purchase their own home, support new projects to build affordable rental housing and assist with upgrade or conversion of existing units.
- Increased contributions to Public Housing will ensure that current housing units are maintained to a high standard for the long-term.
The Budget maintains all other important services of DNSSAB as outlined in the Background.
Background
- The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) is the Provincially designated Service Manager or Delivery Agent for Ontario Works, Children’s Services, Social Housing, Homelessness and Emergency Medical Services which were devolved to the Municipal level from 1999 through 2001.
- DNSSAB contributes financial support through Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program to a total caseload of over 5300. Within this caseload there are more than 1900 dependent children
- Under Children’s Services over 800 children from more than 500 families receive fee subsidy for childcare. In addition, an extensive network of licensed Childcare Providers is supported and Resource Teachers are funded to provide support to children with special needs. There are over 15,430 children 14 and under in Nipissing District.
- Through the Nipissing District Housing Corporation, other non-profit Housing Providers and the Housing Registry, the Board provides coordinated access and subsidy for more than 2000 rental units.
- Emergency Medical Services provides the Paramedics and Ambulances that respond to more than 19000 calls annually. The Board also funds numerous Community Services in support of low income families and their children.
