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.