Budget cut ‘unjustified’: Otter Lake committee

Halifax regional council’s move to slash their budget is “vindictive,” “unwarranted and unjustified,” said Scott Guthrie, chair of the Otter Lake Community Monitoring Committee on Tuesday.

But several councillors are questioning why HRM is spending $90,000 a year on an underperforming committee that isn’t living up to their end of the deal.

“We’re at a time in this municipality where we know every tax dollar has to be accounted for and scrutinized,” said Coun. Becky Kent (Dartmouth South – Eastern Passage).

“It’s overdue, in my opinion, for change or a review of that particular structure.”

Several councillors said the committee is failing in several regards, including inconsistent communications, holding meetings without quorum and the fact that it isn’t accountable, nor are members willing to participate in a review.

Council put off a vote to cut the CMC’S annual budget to $42,500 on Tuesday. Instead, the issue will return to council in six months, and until then, the CMC can only spend half of its $90,000 budget.

The CMC was set up in 1999 to oversee the landfill in Timberlea, communicate with and represent the neighbouring communities. Not a lot about it has changed since then.

The committee, which is primarily comprised of volunteers, receives $90,000 a year, half of which is spent on administrative costs, including the salary for Reg Rankin, part-time executive director and former councillor. The rest of the budget pays for legal, social media, environmental and communications consultants.

The proposed budget cut would eliminate the funding for Rankin’s salary and the legal consultation.

‘Ill-considered and unjustified’

Scott Guthrie, CMC chairman, spoke virtually in front of council on Tuesday to defend the committee and its budget.

“We agree that there is room for improvement when it comes to CMC’S administrative and operational functions. We are open to looking at all well-meaning recommendations for that purpose,” he said. “At the same time, we are only interested in changes that strengthen the CMC, not enfeeble it.”

He said cutting their budget is “ill-considered and unjustified” and that there has been a paid, part-time position since the CMC was established in 1999.

Plus, past HRM councils have never had a problem paying for CMC to seek independent legal advice, he said. It’s something they’ll need more of as they monitor the proposed deactivation of the front-end processor and waste stabilization facility, he added.

“This proposed severe reduction certainly comes across as punitive,” Guthrie said.

“Frankly, the action is unworthy of the HRM council. It’s your choice, of course, but I think most fair-minded people would agree that vindictive action against a community volunteer group is not a good look for Halifax regional council.”

Need time to work on changes

Coun. Tim Outhit (Bedford – Wentworth) said he didn’t like how his councillor colleagues have been treated by the CMC when asking for information.

“When they came today, it was a little bit of a combative, defensive presentation rather than looking for solutions, while admitting they were open to discussions. Well, I think you should always be open to discussions to the people who fund you,” he said.

Outhit called for the sixmonth deferral so HRM staff can work with the CMC to update the 1999 agreement. He said the deferral gives council the clout to get the CMC to make changes, otherwise it comes off as punitive.

Some councillors questioned HRM’S timing of this examination of the CMC. Others like Coun. David Hendsbee (Preston – Chezzetcook – Eastern Shore), said there shouldn’t be a budget cut because the CMC provides a critical role of monitoring and informing the community.

Mayor Mike Savage said it makes sense to talk about the governance first, and if it’s not solved, then cut the funding.

“I don’t think this is how you deal with partners, even with partners with whom you have a disagreement,” Savage said. “We have a lot a stake here.”