The first draft of the Minden Hills budget has a 7.54 per cent tax-supported increase from 2022.

Tabled Feb. 2, CAO Trisha McKibbin said the big hits were wages and benefits (35 per cent), materials, supplies and other operating costs (34 per cent), policing (12 per cent), contributions to cemetery and capital funds of seven per cent, contributions to reserves six per cent and serving debt six per cent.

“The effect of changing global markets, supply chain issues and inflation have created financial pressures on Minden Hills’ operating and capital budgets,” McKibbin added. “Maintaining current service levels, while balancing these pressures and increases, were at top of mind when building the first draft of the 2023 budget.”

The budget includes money to improve roads, public safety, comply with regulations, and for accessibility. There is also cash for studies to help the township, with a strategic plan and asset management plan.

Director of finance, Greg Bedard, noted property assessments in Ontario are still based on 2016 MPAC valuations, resulting in a growing disparity between the assessed value of a property and its market value.

Minden Hills raises about 70 per cent of the money it needs from property taxation. It gets upper-level grants, this year totalling about $2.25 million. It also raises money from user fees.

Bedard said wages and benefits were heading north, with annualization of four new positions, pro-rated in last year’s budget, a 1.75 per cent cost of living increase, people moving up the township’s pay scale and increased volunteer firefighter hours.

They’re budgeting a 22 per cent increase for fuel, and more for maintaining fleet. Insurance is up 7.6 per cent. A little over $957,000 would go to reserves, with almost half for roads.

As far as where money will go, public works and roads will eat up 64 per cent of the spend, followed by 20 per cent for community services, 14 per cent of public works and environmental and two per cent for the CAO’s office to develop a strategic plan.

Community services wants money for accessibility improvements, to fix the boardwalk and Village Green walkway.

Public works is seeking more than $2 million for roads, guardrails and an asset management plan. Landfills are set to cost the township $575,000.

Planning continues to experience operating costs associated with the need for external planning consultants. This has resulted in the budget for consultants to increase from $60,000 in 2022 to $125,000 in 2023. Many municipalities are dealing with similar issues, with an apparent lack of qualified or available planning professionals provincewide. There’s a proposal to up fees at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena and community centre by three per cent and contract out grass-cutting.

Mayor Bob Carter noted 78 per cent of the budget was for public works and infrastructure.

“We have probably underspent on infrastructure over the past number of years. At some point, it comes back to haunt you. We really have to emphasize and focus on our roads, bridges, culverts and buildings.”

Carter also told viewers of the meeting, it is a first draft. “We will go through this in a number of iterations. We need to get the budget right for ourselves and all of our constituents in Minden Hills.”

The Kinmount District Health Services Foundation (KDHSF) has announced Dr. Lesslie Ponraja will be joining the healthcare team at the Kinmount and District Health Centre (KDHC).

Susan Forrester of the communication committee said Dr. Ponraja is from England, where he has practised medicine for 20 years, 15 as a family doctor, and five in a hospital.

“The KDHSF appreciates the assistance of the Kawartha Lakes Health Care Initiative (KLHCI) during the recruitment process,” she said.

KLHCI recruitment and retention coordinator, Cindy Snider, added, “I wish to congratulate the KDHSF for all their hard work on the recruitment of Dr. Ponraja. It has been a pleasure to assist them through the process.”

Dr. Mihu, a family doctor at the KDHC since 1999, said she was “extremely pleased” to welcome Dr. Ponraja, especially with his “vast experience and friendly, supportive manner.”

Dr. Ponraja plans to join Dr. Mihu in seeing patients from Monday to Thursday, starting March 1.

Forrester said, “it is important to note that new patients are not being accepted at this time. Dr. Mihu has been caring for a large number of patients for several years, so initially, she will be sharing her existing practice with Dr. Ponraja while preparing for her retirement and the transfer of her entire patient roster to Dr. Ponraja over the next few months.”

The KDHSF expressed gratitude to Dr. Mihu for dedicating almost 25 years of care to her patients. “Dr. Mihu’s retirement is a loss for our community, but a welldeserved respite for her. We wish her the very best in the coming years,” Forrester said.

The KDHSF thanked the community for its support, which they said makes physician recruitment possible. “The KDHSF is continuing its efforts to increase the healthcare team at the KDHC in order to meet the needs of our growing community.”

The foundation is a registered charity comprised of community volunteers who work to support and expand the healthcare team at the centre. See kdhc.ca for more information.

With three aging buildings housing staff in Highlands East, CAO Shannon Hunter and deputy CAO and treasurer Brittany McCaw presented a business case for a single office, by either renovating an existing space or building a new one.

Hunter and McCaw made their pitch during a Highlands East budget meeting Jan. 31.

“The municipality of Highlands East is considering building a municipal office and council chambers due to inefficiencies, cost of maintenance, and managers working out of three buildings,” McCaw said.

She added benefits would be saving money on utilities, energy efficiencies, longevity for future replacement, reducing maintenance costs and assets to cut back on future contributions to reserves for replacement of multiple buildings. The two added that having all senior staff under one roof would be beneficial to properly manage and supervise, cross train and share resources. Another crunch, she said, is the inability to meet future growth, including human resource requirements.

The public would benefit as well, having all services in one place and a proper council chamber. Council now meets on stage at the Lloyd Watson Centre.

As for excess buildings, McCaw said council could consider making them available for housing, “which would provide some relief to the current housing shortage in Highlands East and Haliburton County.”

The municipality has been putting funds away for seven years, now totalling $938,469, not including previous years’ surpluses, which could also be used towards a new build. An estimated price from seven years ago was $1.5 million, it’s expected to cost much more in today’s market.

McCaw said they could possibly reduce the office footprint, since, through COVID19, they realized office space could be maximized by plans for shared spaces, work from home, compressed work weeks and scheduling alternate shifts.

The township has the Lloyd Watson Centre at 2249 Loop Rd., built in 1975. It’s home to the municipal office, memorial centre and food hub. Average annual maintenance is projected to be about $35,000 to $107,000. It’s recommended a new roof top furnace, windows, doors, roof, and interior water leak repairs be considered. It costs $8,622 a year for heat, hydro and insurance.

There’s another building at 2778 Monck Rd., for the environment and bylaw departments and the library. Also built in 1975, maintenance costs are projected at $8,604 to $72,300-a-year. Exterior doors, interior painted drywall and baseboard, and upgraded electrical panel are needed. Approximate hydro, building and insurance is $9,175.

The third building is at 1032 Gooderham St. Built in 1987, it’s home to the building department and a library. Maintenance there is put at $9,261 to $60,000 annually. It’s recommended interior and exterior work be done to fix water and moisture issues, costing about $100,000. Utility and insurance are $6,959.

“Due to the age of these buildings, major maintenance will be required in the upcoming years,” McCaw and Hunter said.

Deputy mayor Cec Ryall said, “how you accomplish what you do in this space you have is beyond my understanding. You’ve got people standing on top of other people or sitting on top of them … the long and the short of it is there is absolutely no argument we need space.

“The question is ‘how do we determine how much space we need and are we getting it in the right place at the right time’?”

He was not in favour of budgeting $100,000 for an architect. A former industrial engineer, he said they first need an expert to assess their needs now as well as look at future growth. He wondered if they could work with Trent University or Fleming College on that for a fraction of what an architect would charge. He was seeking a more detailed report leading to a shovel-ready plan in the event of federal or provincial grants becoming available.

But Hunter said they were only at the stage of seeking council approval to proceed with the project. She said it was too early to hammer out details.

The discussion, as well as one about what to do about two aging public works garages, will continue.

As the province prepares to bid farewell to long-time Mississauga mayor, Hazel McCallion, the Highlands’ David O’Brien is reminiscing on his 30-year friendship with the woman dubbed ‘Hurricane Hazel’.

The two met when O’Brien was city manager in Ottawa and McCallion on various Association of Municipalities of Ontario and Federation of Canadian Municipalities committees.

When the city manager job came up in Mississauga, McCallion asked O’Brien to apply and he got it. They worked together for 10 years, and became close friends.

“We clicked. We did our business of running a city together, and that worked well, and the friendship just evolved out of that,” O’Brien said.

The two stayed in touch after both retired. O’Brien would go to McCallion’s home every couple of weeks with coffee and cinnamon rolls. When he moved to Wilberforce, they chatted on the phone every couple of weeks for an hour or so.

“Whatever was happening federally or provincially, she liked to get together and chow down on that and have a little fun,” he said.

Their last phone call was a few days before McCallion passed away on Jan. 31. It was a shorter call, as she was weak and failing, but the two had a few chuckles. “It was definitely a goodbye call,” O’Brien said. He has been working behind the scenes on McCallion’s funeral plans. She will lie in repose at Mississauga City Hall Feb. 12 and 13. Premier Doug Ford has also announced a state funeral at 11 a.m. Feb. 14.

O’Brien said McCallion’s favourite line was “do your homework” and it was wellknown at city hall “you better come prepared because if you were mumbling along, she’d say ‘the meeting is over, go and do your homework, and come back when you’re ready’.”

He described her as straightforward, however, if a problem cropped up, she would have all the time in the world to sit with her senior leadership team to brainstorm solutions.

“She was tough, which was good and why the city became what it did … a no-nonsense mayor but always willing to help you out.”

He added she supported female staff in getting ahead in the organization and brokered on behalf of youth.

Another long-time mayor

Dysart et al mayor Murray Fearrey said he met McCallion on many occasions, most often at municipal conferences and provincial events. A few times, he sat next to her at strategy sessions, “and her comments on most, if not all, issues were clear, focused and definite.”

He added, “fiscal responsibility and common sense were her guides for managing Mississauga. Every municipal politician I know had the utmost respect for her as a lady and her leadership skills, the special dedication and commitment she demonstrated for 38 years. She was and will be a role model for years to come in municipal politics.”

O’Brien believes her legacy is the forwardthinking that made the City of Mississauga what it is today. He recalled how they had development charges before they were supported by the province to help the city get the infrastructure needed to keep up with growth.

Another example was her mayor’s gala, which led to the creation of the Hazel McCallion Foundation for Arts, Culture and Heritage. O’Brien remains chair of the board.

O’Brien brought McCallion to Wilberforce for a fishing weekend five or six years ago. Growing up in the Gaspe, she loved to fish. She got skunked and told O’Brien she didn’t think there were any fish in his lake. During the weekend, as the two sat on the dock, or stopped into Agnew’s General Store, he said people were in awe of her.

O’Brien worked with eight or nine mayors in his municipal career and said, “she will always be the standout. I travelled the world with her and met some very interesting people.”

He is out of the country, and while he will be back for the state funeral, he plans to watch it virtually. That said, he will make a trip to her gravesite in Stittsville in the not-too-distant future, “and just sit there quietly and we’ll have a chat.

“She was a force to be reckoned with, both politically and from a business point of view. She loved her community. I will remember her with great pride, great joy, as a good friend and a mentor and somebody that I had so much respect for.”

County councillors were unwilling to board a bus Feb. 8 that would have allowed staff to prepare and put out a tender for a possible rural transit system for the Highlands.

Director of economic development and tourism, Scott Ovell, and director of planning, Steve Stone, wanted a green light to develop and put out a request for proposals. Ovell said it could result in a detailed operational budget, implementation schedule and service delivery map, “that would clearly lay out how the transit service would operate, and how much it would cost to initiate and subsequently operate.”

He added they weren’t asking council to say ‘yes’ to a service now, but possibly at a later date.

In June 2018, a consultant, the IBI Group, did a public transportation implementation plan. They used a business case created by the Haliburton Transportation Task Force to come up with an outline for a countywide system. A recommendation was made at a Jan. 23, 2019 meeting but council did not proceed. However, $50,000 has been put aside in subsequent years.

In the meantime, the County has taken part in two pilot transit projects. In the spring of 2022, they gave $20,000 to an initiative involving SIRCH, Fleming Crew and the City of Kawartha Lakes Human Services. In addition, council funded a project with Point in Time Centre for Children, Youth and Parents.

New staffers wanted to put it out to tender

Ovell and Stone said it’s well-noted the County has some unique transport challenges, including its geography, population density and demographics. However, they said the need has been expressed for years and now might be the time to finally proceed.

They added, “the need for a public transit service has only been magnified by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant increase in the County’s population.”

The two said they had been contacted by transit service providers over the last year, asking to meet and present options. They said they were given “valuable information on the numerous options if we were to pursue a public transit service.

“With the advancements in technology and proliferation of ride sharing or on-demand services since 2019, more rural municipalities have been able to successfully implement transit services within their communities.”

They thought multiple companies would potentially bid on the project, with multiple transit solutions, “whether it be a fixed route, on-demand, or ride share service, or a combination.”

The IBI document recommended $294,000 a year for a service. At the end of 2022, there was $152,754.16 in a transit reserve. While gas tax funding is not available in the first year of operation, in the second year, the County could get an estimated $68,523. In the third year and beyond, the funding could go up to $126,020.

Councillors say ‘no’

Coun. Murray Fearrey said, “I think it’s something that everybody desires, but it’s not practical in Haliburton County the way we’re located.” For example, he said waterfront property owners likely wouldn’t use a service but would have to subsidize it. He suggested council, “park it for the time being because I just don’t think it’s practical. I know it’s hard to say that, but it’s just reality. It’s distance and it’s sparse population.”

Coun. Cec Ryall was part of the task force six years ago and said the challenges have not changed. However, if free, he did not have a problem with a tender to get more information. However, he wanted council to revisit its past work before spending any money. “I do not want to start from zero.”

Coun. Bob Carter said while it would be wonderful to have a service, the budget estimates appeared “pretty optimistic.” He was also fearful of giving somebody a contract, only to have them say in 18 months’ time, they cannot make it work. “We can’t just be half-committing.” He didn’t feel he would know what he would be committing to financially either, so agreed with parking it.

Coun. Jennifer Dailloux wanted the County to get a better handle on demand. She said there are assumptions but, “who are the people who would say ‘yes’ to this sort of service…on what terms, where they’re located.” She wondered about a community interaction platform.

Coun. Lisa Schell said there was no harm in an RFP that would only cost staff time. “Otherwise, we won’t have any of those answers which people are asking around the table right now. There may be something that we never thought of.”

CAO Mike Rutter said they could spend time gathering data to demonstrate need, such as via the pilot projects, as well as see what other communities are doing. Warden Liz Danielsen said they could also examine what subsidies might be available from other sources.

Council deferred the report, with Danielsen saying they could revisit the file in the future.

That decision was disappointing to Tina Jackson, who has lobbied for public transit.

“In an area as large as Haliburton County, the ability to access health care, food, education, social, recreation, employment opportunities and more is intrinsically tied to one’s ability to get there. With development of the Community Safety and Well Being Plan underway, the need for transportation to accomplish other community goals will be highlighted once again. On the positive side, our population growth has the potential to feed a larger ridership base.

“We are continuing to leave provincial dollars on the table for every year we go without public transportation of some form – dollars that really could be improving the quality of life for Haliburtonians.”

Dysart et al is kicking off a new month-long celebration through February.

The 28 Days of Fun event is designed to bring families together for a collection of free and inexpensive activities this month. Replacing the popular Frost Festival, which last ran in 2019, it is a chance for people across the municipality to try different activities at their own pace for an opportunity to win some prizes, says Andrea Mueller, the township’s recreation coordinator.

“We were looking at ways to get people out and exploring the municipality during the winter. The Frost Festival was a great event; however, we felt it was time for a change,” Mueller said. “At first, we discussed promoting a few key events, but then one of our staff suggested 28 activities – one for each day in February, so we ran with the idea.”

Passports outlining the various tasks can be picked up at town hall, the Dysart branch of the Haliburton County Public Library, the Haliburton Welcome Centre, and Haliburton Highlands Museum.

Mueller said staff had some fun developing the various activities, which feature several local landmarks. Among those are snowshoeing at Glebe Park, taking a winter picture at the Haliburton Sculpture Forest, visiting the Haliburton fish hatchery, stopping by a local art gallery or studio, and attending the grand opening of the Harcourt outdoor rink – Feb. 5 at 1 p.m.

There’s also a slew of features people can complete at home, such as cooking, trying out a winter sport, building a snowman, trying a new craft, and helping a neighbour shovel snow.

Most activities require a stamp, which can be collected by staffers at the various sites, or by taking and submitting a photo.

Activities do not have to be completed in any order. For every four stamps collected or photos submitted, people will earn an entry into the grand prize draw. People can earn a maximum of seven entries into the draw.

Prizes include a guided adventure from Winterdance Dogsled Tours, a pony ride at South Algonquin Trails and a $100 gift certificate to a local business of participants’ choosing. The contest will run from Feb. 1 to 28, with entries to be received no later than 4 p.m. March 3. Stamped passports can be dropped off at town hall or Haliburton Welcome Centre, while photos can be emailed to recreation@dysartetal.ca, including your name, phone number, date, and activity number.

The draw will take place March 6 live on Facebook.

“Age and ability do not matter, anyone and everyone is welcome to participate,” Mueller said. “The more activities you complete, the more you increase your chances to win. We hope that people will embrace this winter activity, as it is something we would like to offer each year, with a twist on the activities and prizes.”

Coming up

• Razzamataz presents Jam Side Up with the Kif-Kif Sisters Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. The show features flying bunnies and speeding French fries. “These identical twins fight giant pink monsters and practice the art of snacking. The Kif-Kif Sisters mix surprising comedy and audience interaction with enough happiness to make vegetables explode.” Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion, Haliburton.

• Hike Haliburton winter edition Feb. 4-5. “The festival is more than just traditional snowshoeing/hiking; heavily integrating the arts, culture, heritage and foodie experiences to truly showcase the area.” See winter. hikehaliburton.com for more information.

• Rails End Gallery presents its annual members salon exhibition Feb. 4 to April 1. This year’s theme is intersection. Curator Laurie Jones said, “Intersection is a word that brings to mind a crossing, a chance meeting, or perhaps a Venn diagram? Any convergence could be interpreted as a form of “intersection” but it can also refer to a severing of into distinct parts.”

• The massacre of most of the Donnelly family, the “Black Donnellys” as they were known, by an angry mob on a cold night in February, 1880 in Lucan, Ontario was a huge story at the time. The Yours Outdoors Speakers Series presents Keith Ross Leckie, author of the book, Cursed! Blood of the Donnellys, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Fish Hatchery on County Road 1.