KDSB Budget Defeated

Municipal leaders in the Kenora District still can’t agree on an acceptable budget for Social and essential Services.
Reps from Dryden, Ear Falls, Ignace, Kenora and Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls defeated the $50.8-million budget for 2010 on Thursday.
The budget is $2.6-million higher then the one presented in January due to additional uncontrolled costs in Land Ambulance and Ontario Works.
The budget process started in September.
Dryden Mayor Anne Krassilowsky says Municipalities can’t afford to absorb the extra costs.
Staff warn massive cuts may have to be made.
Closing housing units and land ambulance bases as well as eliminating funding for the Child Benefit Strategy were ideas tossed around during casual conversation around the KDSB table.
Meantime, Staff with the KDSB must be thinking a climb up Mount Everest is easier then figuring out a 2010 budget that suites everyone’s needs.
The climb could get a lot more complicated because of Provincial Legislation.
The Board is not scheduled to meet again until May.
However, CAO Sten Lif says they are required by law to submit a balanced budget to the Provincial Government by March 31.
With no current numbers in front of the Government, Lif is also concerned that the Board may be ignored when the McGuinty Liberals present their budget later this month.