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Penetang council's generosity could inject cash into local non-profits' coffers

Based on staff recommendations, council could approve money for the hospital, physician recruitment, Sistema Huronia Music Academy and the community emergency response team
2020-04-01-Penetanguishene
Town council to consider a number of funding requests during a special meeting this Tuesday. File photo Mehreen Shahid/MidlandToday

Some Penetanguishene community partners could have a reason to smile this week.

Penetang elected officials are coming together Tuesday to discuss community grant requests made by several local non-profits.

According to the report, staff is recommending council approve a number of those requests. If council agrees with staff, the Georgian Bay General Hospital will receive $15,000, the Southern Georgian Bay Physician Recruitment will receive $8,500 and $1,000 will go toward Sistema Huronia Music Academy. A further $2,000 will be given to the Midland Penetang District CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). 

Staff is asking Cultural Alliance's request of $10,000 be deferred until after the non-profit's presentation on Dec. 9.

The agenda also includes a number of requests around an increase in budget to extend contract positions. The first one up is the position of junior planner for which staff is asking an additional $25,000 be included in the budget to expand the current part-time position to a one-year full-time contract at a total cost of $57,000.

A similar extension request is being made for the current part-time contract for a bylaw enforcement officer. The increase in budget would be almost $32,000, bringing the total cost of the one-year full-time contract to $47,500.

A third budget request related to staffing comes after the decision to reopen the arena was approved by council.

Staff is recommending that funding for 40 weekly hours for a facility attendant be included in the 2021 operating budget in anticipation of a 2021-2022 ice season. The move would require that $12,270 be included in the 2021 arena operating budget. The staff report says this step will also ensure the town is financially equipped to reopen the arena for a 2021-2022 ice season.

A number of departmental draft budget documents included in the agenda are being presented to council for information. 

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and will be streamed live on the town's YouTube channel