The Warden for the County of Renfrew is sending a letter to the Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) to get clarification on a request to increase funding. The Finance and Administration Committee discussed the matter at the January 14th virtual meeting.
In a letter sent last month (December 2020), health unit staff say they require over $1.73-million for expenses in 2021. The 2021 funding request is 8.5% higher than 2020 and works out to be about $135,000 more than last year. In 2020, the local health unit had requested a 10% increase to funding.
Under direction from the Finance and Administration Committee, Renfrew County Warden Debbie Robinson, will be sending a letter to the health unit asking for more details. Robinson wanted to assure the increase was for local programs. The Warden said with everyone working on finding efficiencies, she would like to see what the health unit has come up with over the last 12 to 18 months.
A year ago (January 2020), County Council reached out to the health unit for clarification and a detailed explanation of the dramatic cost increase. County council was looking for confirmation that money is only being spent on eligible expenses, an explanation on why reserves are not being used to offset the increase, estimates of the 2019 surplus and what it’s being used for and an explanation of mitigation and cost reduction strategies that have been put in place to reduce the burden on municipal taxpayers.
A letter has also been sent to the province and to date no formal response has been received.
You can watch the virtual meeting here.
