CENTRE WELLINGTON – Centre Wellington Council has approved entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Grand River Conservation Authority.
The decision came at Monday’s committee of the whole meeting.
According to a report presented to the committee, due to provincial changes to the conservation authorities act, conservation authorities and municipalities are required to enter into agreements for certain services by January 1, 2024.
“In December 2020, the Province made changes to the Conservation Authorities Act, which require Conservation Authorities (CAs) to focus on and deliver their core mandates of protecting people and property from flooding and other natural hazards and conserving natural resources,” the report said.
The report says conservation authorities will continue to levy for the majority of their services which are mandatory, however, certain services can now be entered into at the discretion of the municipalities.
The GRCA has indicated that only Category 1 and 2 services are provided to the Township of Centre Wellington.
“Staff have received the draft MOU and have consulted with the GRCA and other local municipalities. Clarification on the various schedules and cost allocation between Category 1 and 2 have been received. Staff are comfortable that the general objectives of the agreements to provide clarity around services and associated costs, have been achieved,” the report said.
Staff say the continued partnership with the GRCA represents a responsible approach to environmental resource management and protection.
“No one agency is capable of this on its own and the Township benefits from the many contributions that the GRCA provide though their various programs and services.”
Highlights from the GRCA agreement include:
- 5 year MOU commencing on the date the agreement is made
- Covers Category 2 services and programs
- No Category 3 services requiring municipal contribution (those provided are either self sustaining or will be transitioned to self sustaining)
- Members will be charged a levy for Category 2 services as part of the regular budget process
- Category 2 services of particular importance to Centre Wellington include support for wastewater optimization, water quality monitoring, watershed sciences, subwatershed planning and conservation services as they relate to the County of Wellington’s Rural Water Quality Program
For 2024, the GRCA has indicated that the Category 1 and Category 2 amounts combined will equal the 2023 Township GRCA levy amount with appropriate cost of living adjustments.
“The Township’s GRCA levy for 2023 is $335,603. For 2024, the Township’s Category 2 allocation is $26,365.00. The Category 1 levy for 2024 will be determined as part of the GRCA budget process.”
You can read the full report here.
