Toward a long-term plan

Wellington resident wants to know if she has a future in the County

Withering under unrelenting provincial downloading, municipalities such as Prince Edward County risk being overwhelmed by costs that don’t belong on the property taxpayer. Homeowners and renters pay the bill. When the bill gets too high, folks move— leaving a heavier burden upon those who stay.

It may be inconsequential to the wealthy. It is devastating for families on the margins., for individuals trying to make ends meet on a fixed income, for businesses that rely on a thriving middle class—for whom the County isn’t just a weekend getaway.

One of these people is Jennifer Armstrong, a 20-something resident of Wellington. She has lived in the village her whole life. Attended CML Snider. She works at a local business. Jennifer has become an advocate for those who wish to make a life in the County, but are unsure whether they can afford to do so.

Jennifer is a leading member of the Wellington Community Association (WCA). On its behalf, she made a plea to the Audit Committee last month. She wants to see a 10-year plan. She wants to know where the municipality is going and what life will look like in a decade from now. So she can plan. So she can decide if there is a place for her here.

Armstrong cited specifically the pressures created by Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster, Doug Ford’s behemoth housing legislation, which is compelling municipal governments to do things beyond their capacity and beyond their taxpayers’ ability to pay for.

“The province is bullying municipalities into permitting new homes without regard for increased pressure on medical services, schools, and other infrastructure,” explained Armstrong to the Audit Committee.

“I believe we need to be better prepared. As a young person hoping to make a life for myself in Prince Edward County, I insist we try.”

The WCA has been working with Heather Taylor of EY, a consultancy. Taylor served as the Chief Financial Officer of the City of Toronto. She saw firsthand the impact of provincial downloading on the city and the aftermath of tracts of homes needing municipal services that the city wasn’t prepared to provide. Taylor pulled together a 10- year capital plan—hammered out over years— spelling out what was required and how much it would cost.

Elected officials, residents and business owners could see the choices that were made. They could agree or not—but it was all there in front of them. No surprises. It has helped immensely, according to Taylor.

Toronto has the resource to do this. To plan. To organize. To manage the unrelenting provincial pressure.

But most municipalities don’t. Taylor is working with cities such as Cornwall, Barrie and Collingwood currently to help them brace for the impact of Bill 23 on their community.

Jennifer Armstrong and the WCA believe Prince Edward County should be doing the same.

“I am here today to suggest we need such a plan,” said Armstrong, “A 10-year financial plan that measures the economic and financial impacts of Bill 23 on this community. A plan that assists Shire Hall to deliver stable and predictable funding in a transparent, flexible and accountable way.”

Her intention is to extend Shire Hall’s financial planning horizon beyond the immediate term.

“They must inevitably focus on near-term pressures,” said Armstrong. “This proposal is meant to supplement municipal capability and to provide a new tool to manage the fallout from provincial decisions.”

Armstrong asked the committee to recommend that Council consider Taylor’s proposal at budget time.

Committee members were generally positive in response to Armstrong’s presentation.

Committee member Jane Lesslie agreed that the “property taxpayer can’t pick up every bill that the federal and provincial governments stop paying.”

Councillor John Hirsch was cool on the idea. He is confident that both levels of government will eventually provide additional funding for municipal infrastructure. Hirsch suggested, however, that if such a plan were undertaken, it might be done in conjunction with other municipalities in the same situation.

Committee member Mark Kaplan suggested it might be helpful to examine the County’s finances through an “external lens.”

Finance director Arryn McNichol agreed, but was unsure whether the timing was right to do so now. With less than a year in the job and a significant project—the asset management plan— nearly complete, his team was stretched.

“Not yet,” said McNichol, “but we’d consider it if we thought it was necessary.”

The Audit Committee was inclined to give the finance director some time. But the need for a transparent 10- year plan—one that is reliable, durable and holds decision makers to account—remains. It is likely to shape municipal election campaigns next year.

“Municipalities have been fighting a losing battle with the province—we need better tools to make it a fairer fight,” said the WCA’s Armstrong.