Taxpayers facing high ambulance costs

Ken Johnston

Despite the power going off early on, Rainy River town council had a busy session Monday night.
A delegation, Mr. Dan McCormick spoke to council about the rising costs of land ambulance services. He is the Health Services Manager for the Rainy River District Social Services Board.
McCormick noted that the primary concern with the board is the fact that salaries for land ambulance staff continues to rise by 8-10% annually but funding from the provincial government has only increased by 1%. That has left RRDSSAB short by $450,000 and McCormick said added costs for salaries in 2005 are estimated to be $350,000. “We built into our budget what we thought was going to happen.” Being that it was higher than they expected, “We dipped into our reserves, something we can not continue to do.”
McCormick has been visiting all the town councils under the RRDSSAB umbrella telling them that unless the province increases funding the taxpayers will ultimately have to pay. “How long can you keep bearing those costs?”
He urged council to lobby the government for change to funding practises.
Mayor Glen Armstrong, Rainy River’s representative on RRDSSAB, said that the other option is for the province to upload, or take back the land ambulance services, hence taking the funding burden off the municipal tax base.
New Policies
The Personnel Committee of council introduced a new policy manual for non-union staff members.
Councillor Larry Armstrong voiced concern about the “tone” of the policy calling it, “negative in nature.” He cited the fact that employees will now be allowed seven sick days per year that if are not used up will be lost. “I see this as a disincentive.”
Armstrong went on to say, “This is more of a disciplinary policy or punitive policy. It is like egg shells. Watch where you are step or be punished.”
Armstrong did agree that a policy is needed but felt that the paper put in front of them needed more discussion and word-smithing.
Councillor Brent Anderson disagreed with Armstrong noting, “We have to be clear, concise and firm with such a policy. There can not be any grey areas.”
Mayor Glen Armstrong turned the gavel over to Anderson so that he could address the policy. He agreed with Anderson noting that he feels council has been negligent in the past for not creating such a manual. “It offers straight forward guidelines for employees to follow.”
Councillor Debbie Ewald asked how many other policy manuals were looked at to create this one.
Anderson said at least five.
“I am familiar with three and the more I read of this one the more I have become concerned with the tone (of it). It is more dictatorial (in nature) said Ewald.
Councillor Ed Tymkin expressed his support for the policy, noting that most of the concerns were language related.
A recorded vote on the policy was held with Tymkin, Anderson and Mayor Armstrong voting for it and councillors Larry Armstrong and Ewald voting against it. Councillors Gerry Marchuk and Dennis Ewald were absent from the meeting.
Council also passed new hiring and procurement policies Monday.
Other Business
•Council unanimously passed a motion to give all town staff a paid day off between Dec. 15 and Jan. 31st as a Christmas bonus. Previously the staff had received a $50 bonus.
•Council passed a bylaw allowing for property tax rebates for registered charities.
•Council passed a motion to purchase four new pagers for the Rainy River Fire Dept. at a cost of $2,017.75 plus taxes.
•A resolution was passed to be brought forward at the upcoming Rainy River District Municipal Association meeting urging the province to reevaluate the way the gas tax rebate program works. At present only communities with public transportation receive it.
•Council declared January Alzheimer Awareness Month.