Another financial setback for the City of Dryden.
The municipality has received word that funding under the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund has gone down for a fifth straight year.
Treasurer Steven Lansdell-Roll says they rely on the money to pay for capital projects and infrastructure upgrades.
The allocation for Dryden has dropped by $140,000 to just over $2-million.
Lansdell-Roll says they based their 2018 budget on expectations that the fund would be maintained at 2017 levels and calls the recent news “shocking”.
In light of the news, Dryden Council has opted to dip into reserves to honour a $1-million commitment to capital work in 2018.
Council debated at length on Monday the best option to pay for infrastructure upgrades, with a majority deciding against a property tax increase.
The capital shortfall for next year could be in the range of $700,000.
Lansdell-Roll admits the move will put challenges on future operating budgets.
