New Minas Village Commission concerned with cuts to grant

New Minas village chairman Dave Chaulk is worried Kings County’s 20152016 budget could have long-term negative implications for the village.

The county’s budget, passed on April 14, includes a 20 per cent across-theboard cut in previously committed multi-year grants to community organizations – including one for the village.

The county had previously agreed to commit $500,000 over 10 years toward the cost of the Louis Millett Community Centre construction.

The chairman’s comments were made during the monthly village commission meeting April 13. This was before the county budget was passed, but District 11 Councilor Jim Winsor, who was in attendance at the village meeting, passed along some of the details of the council’s intention.

Chaulk confirmed 2015-2016 represents year three of the 10-year agreement between the county and the village.

“We’ve received $150,000 so far, but it looks like our $50,000 grant might end up being only $40,000,” he said. “We may be able to make an educated guess as to what might happen next year and in the years after that.”

Chaulk described council’s decision as “disappointing, but as long as it’s across the board, no one is really being singled out.”

If the grant ends up cut by 20 per cent for the remainder of the life of the agreement, “we’ll be out $70,000,” he added.

“We understand all levels of government are tax strapped,” he said. However, if there ends up being a shortfall in the grant to the LMCC, “we’ll have to find the shortfall as part of our budget. It’s our bill, and our responsibility.”