RRDSSAB asks for less money from towns

News Release
RRDSSAB

The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board (RRDSSAB) approved the 2013 Annual Budget of $~18.8 Million at the regular Board meeting held March 21st, 2013. The overall budget reflects a decrease of 1.02% on costs to the Municipalities.
Approved components of the budgets are:
•Ontario Works $2.75 M
•Children’s Services $3.49 M
•Emergency Medical Services $6.61 M
•Social Housing $5.38 M
•Central Administration $0.53 M
CAO, Dan McCormick noted, “The Board, Staff & Management at the DSSAB, have worked very hard over the past year to hold costs and return funds to the Municipalities through a reduction in the 2013 levy.”
The overall 2013 DSSAB budget of ~$18.8 million increased ~$2 million from the 2012 Approved Budget. The increased budget amount is primarily due to ~$1.3 million, in additional, 100% provincial funding for Children’s Services. This new funding and 2012 savings in Children’s Services results in a 23.1% decreased costs to the municipalities for this program.
Additionally, a reclassification of DSSAB housing costs from the prior year results in a higher budget figure, but does not reflect an increase in program costs or cost to the municipalities. Social Housing sees an increase in overall program costs of $417,000, which is directly related to the addition of the 100%, provincially funded Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI). Overall, with use of 2012 unexpended funds, the cost to municipalities, for the Social Housing Program drops by 0.7%.
Ontario Works realizes a slight increase due to the loss of Provincial Transition funding however a reduction in expenditures limits the effect to the Municipalities to 1.9%.
Land Ambulance increases slightly from 2012 with the inclusion of costs associated with increased coverage for the Rainy River Hospital by 2.3%.
“It is a difficult time in the Rainy River District with many changes both negative and positive affecting our Municipalities,” stated Ross Donaldson, Board Chair. “This budget reflects an achievable budget that maintains services across our District, while striving for further efficiencies in the future.”