By: Summary by Kim Krause

(Kim is a journalist with the Schreiber Media Centre, funded by the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative).

The first council meeting of the new year kicks off with a presentation from MPAC.

A situation is brewing within all municipalities right now over the way MPAC has been handling recent assessments and evaluations. Around 2 years ago COVID forced most companies to rethink their operations and procedures. MPAC used that as an excuse as to why there were no updated assessments for the year 2020. This information is vital to all municipalities in helping to create operational budgets for the year. The last assessment was in 2016 and according to the conditions of an agreement are to be updated every 4 years. This year municipalities will still be forced to work with figures from 2016 which makes all current assessments 6 years out of date. If the situation is not resolved timeously, there is potential for large scale increases in property taxes going forward which will have a negative impact on property owners. Add this to a runaway situation with property prices and it becomes apparent that this problem needs to be addressed.

Sharla Knapton is the newly appointed Account Manager at MPAC local offices, replacing Chad Tanner. Sharla started the presentation with an explanation of the roles of various governments and organizations in terms of the evaluation process. After the presentation there was a brief discussion.

The open meeting was conducted as usual with the passing of the minutes of the previous meeting and the regular business of the day including debit orders and accounts payable.

• Kelly Chisholm’s appointment to the library board was approved. 
• Attendance to the NOMA conference was confirmed.
• Insurance policy for the Township has been renewed and the costs continue to escalate to $130,000 just for this year. 

Department reports:

• Treasurer report shows a reduction in arrears balance of 50%.
• Community economic development has confirmed a seniors community grant to aid in virtual programming. A New Horizons Grant will pay for a seniors road trip and a United Way grant will be used to purchase food hampers in the summer.
• Schreiber Public Library board minutes confirm the hiring of a summer student but was confused by a co-op appointment of the same student.
• Director of Operations report is the first one submitted by the new Director who was appointed last month and concluded in rethinking a priority list in regards to maintenance and controlling costs. Also included was an update on the outdoor arena and the implementation of recent COVID protocols. Equipment repairs for vehicles were also approved. HVAC work had been recommended to the municipal building and will proceed.

There were no Questions for question period.

Under Communications there was a request for support for the NOMA meeting in the spring.

Unfinished business included the final Usage agreement for the memorandum of understanding with the library to be approved at the next council meeting.