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I'm going to be giving 2 delegation speeches tonight in front of Milton Town Council. The first on the wind turbines at the sports centre and the second on the Milton District Hospital Expansion efforts.

I'm expecting (or hoping) for a packed audience tonight as tonight's agenda is fairly hefty. The Halton Healthcare Notion of Motion in regards to the hospital being likely the largest.

http://www.milton.ca/execserv/agendas20 ... 8_2010.pdf

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I submitted my concerns regarding the healthcare funding by at this point I don't know if ill make the meeting. Ill be updating my blog later with that presentation for those who can't make it tonight.

As the election draws near and the "issues" get discussed I'm sure there will be a large audience again.

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Mike Cluett
Local/Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 & 8

Website | Email mike@mikecluett.ca | Cell (647) 888-9032 | Facebook Page | | Twitter @Mike_Cluett

My take? Typical Milton council operation.

Staff has their own plan on where to spend and that doesn't include making room for a hospital reserve fund. Staff wrote the hospital report and will also write the budget. Councillors either don't dare challenge staff or don't understand the question. The only funding suggestion from council was to "consider" using some of the slots revenue and that was already one of the someday options.

Result. A weak case for Milton hospital expansion including only a letter of commitment. Almost avoiding the hospital issue altogether for a full 4 year term. And a clear path for those who would prefer to fund any expansion with a tax increase.

I think council will end up doing more than just "consider" (if not, then they wasted some time yesterday debating the slots revenue so much near the end) but actually move a good portion of it to the hospital reserve fund. Have to see how the staff will lay that out.

But I was surprised they didn't change it so the reserve fund is created *now*. Still not sure why they're waiting in creating the reserve fund until next year. Even if it's just make the account now, and pass the hat around. At least it's there, at least we've started. A couple council members talked in support of creating the reserve fund now, but it didn't lead to any changes/votes on changes in that regard.

Gary I liked hearing you speak yesterday. Hope that continues in the future town council post-election (i.e. both you speaking in front of council, and the me liking it part )

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I think there's something to be said for prudence, and taking it a step at a time. And that's what this council seems to be doing. I think their hands are tied by the lack of provincial consent, and the fact there is no final number. I think you have be careful when those two factors as well as people's tax dollars are involved.

As long as Councilors Scherer and Lunau are sitting at that table the hospital will not be ignored... these two don't back down from a fight. If for whatever reason nothing is done in this budget year then I can pretty much garauntee they'll raise it again.

My friendly amendment would've been that a tax increase would be only as a resort after all other funding, and revenue options are exhausted. I think they're probably waiting a year because the final budget for 2010 has already been passed. And because it's an election year- who wants to be the one raising taxes in an election year?

The slots option was already included in the report. I think Barry actually was wasting time and helping close off more threatening discussion. i.e. Red herring. It may also indicate that Barry will run again because last time part of his platform was to make better use of the slots revenue. Didn't happen.

Regarding a reserve fund, last night a delegate said:
"You don’t wait until the exact numbers are known to begin saving for retirement or your kid’s education. Why is the report saying that it is too soon to set funds aside for the hospital expansion?

Is the idea simply to punt the question to the next Council? Is there a reluctance to disrupt current spending plans with a higher priority item? Or is the idea to delay building a reserve fund until there is no alternative to a special hospital tax levy?"
I think the answer to the last 3 questions is yes, yes, and yes.

Rick, thanks for the comment but it is hard for an old observer to remain enthusiastic about being a bit player in this council's theatrical performance.

William Shakespeare :

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players

Good on ya! I hope many others also send a message asking to give priority to the funding of a hospital reserve and do it without a tax increase. They are accepting comments on budget priorities until July 2. These comments may have some influence since they will be circulated to department heads submiting budget requests, and to council for the August budget meeting.

Recognize that there are some councillors, and probably candidates, that welcome tax increases. With more tax money sloshing around, they feel more likely to achieve their personal mission whether subsidized housing, fire department, arts center, etc. The majority can't afford to be silent.