A big question mark hovers over the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority and its budget for next year.
CAO Tammy Cook tells us the Ford government wants authorities in the province to cut non-essential programs, but here in this region that does not amount to much.
She explains most of the programs they administer which are ‘non-core’ are raised through their foundation or other sponsors, and cost about $5,000 to $10,000.
Cook says officials at the LRCA are surprised by the request and suggests the budget process is now in “a bit of a flux” as a result.
She wonders if provincial cuts mean they will have to dig into their reserves to fill in any funding gap.
Those reserves are built up by adding a little extra to the budget each year in case some longer-term funding is anticipated for any major projects like the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway or for erosion control along Victor Street.
