The County of St. Paul held its annual general meeting on May 2, with nearly 30 people taking the time to listen to a brief overview of the county’s audited financial statements and taking part in a question and answer period with council.
“All-in-all, (the County of St. Paul) ended up pretty close to where they wanted to be,” said Shawn Warrington, a representative with Synergy Chartered Accountants. He added that although the county has a surplus, “it’s a healthy surplus.”
“The County of St. Paul is in a healthy position,” and has the ability to make up for unforeseen issues, said Warrington.
In 2012, there was a lot of road building that was budgeted and not realized, such as the Northern Valley Road. That project is set to be done this year, heard those in attendance.
Following the presentation of the financial statement, County of St. Paul Reeve Steve Upham offered a Reeve’s Report and went through a list of highlights from 2012.
Items such as celebrating the County’s 50th anniversary, successful grant applications, progress on the new fire halls in Ashmont and Mallaig, water lines, FCSS, and recreation improvements were mentioned.
A total of 16.5 miles of road construction took place in 2012, which was slowed because of the weather.
“We were dogged with moisture . . . rain, rain, and more rain,” said Upham. But, there were four bridge replacements, 55 dust controls completed and 899 miles of road graveled.
The coyote and wolf reduction program was “very successful” and will most likely be extended in the fall, said Upham.
Highlights of the 2013 budget include the retrofitting of the public works shop, 16 miles of road construction, and $1.7 million of oiling and paving have been budgeted for public works. The county will continue to work on the upgrading of the Ashmont Water Treatment Plant and other water issues.
A large Canada Day celebration is being planned in Ashmont this summer and weed control will be on the list for the Ag. Service Board. County also decided to pave all the lake lot and multi-lot acreage subdivisions, which has a price tag of $6.3 million and is described by Upham as being “a smart business decision.”
The county is looking forward to a year that is expected to see growth. There is already an 81 per cent increase in development permits from last year.
“There are things happening all around us,” said the reeve.
Questions from ratepayers to various councillors included concerns about road construction, water projects such as the Elk Point waterline, and tax increases.
Upham and CAO Sheila Kitz explained that tax increases are a combination of factors, some beyond the county’s control, such as the school requisition and M.D. Foundation requisition. Assessments on properties also affect taxes.
A recent rezoning of land near Owlseye Lake was also brought up.
“I really weighed the views of both sides,” said Coun. Maxine Fodness when asked why she voted in favour of the rezoning from agriculture to industrial and country residential.
Concerns about the Ashmont lagoon and requests for council to consider hiring a bylaw officer were also heard.
“It’s always on the radar,” said Upham about the issue of hiring a bylaw officer, something council has decided against in the past.
Councillors made note that the turnout at this year’s AGM was good. Last year council opted out of having an AGM because of poor attendance in the past. Many of the ratepayers in attendance recommended council return to hosting the AGM annually.
