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Municipality working through cash flow constraints due to pandemic

The County of Prince Edward continues to evaluate municipal operations and its financial outlook in light of the financial uncertainty caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

Marcia Wallace, County CAO

“As one of the largest employers in Prince Edward County, we are doing everything we can to limit the impact on our valued employees and their families, while at the same time acting in a manner that is fiscally responsible to our taxpayers,” said Marcia Wallace, Chief Administrative Officer.

The CAO noted the municipality will experience cash flow constraints in the coming months a result of giving people the option to defer their final tax bills until Sept. 15 and Nov. 16 and not charging interest or penalties on any unpaid taxes or utility bills. Additionally, no new tax arrears certificates will be registered on properties in 2020. The municipality is also forgoing revenue with all recreation facilities, arenas, and parks closed as well as facing higher costs associated with responding to the crisis.

“In an effort to lower costs, staff are reviewing budgets and work plans with an eye on reducing discretionary spending, and delaying procurement in order to contain costs,” Wallace stated in a media release.

The municipality is using natural attrition and not extending or renewing seasonal contracts as they come to an end at the end of April, or early May. The municipality has also put a hold on hiring summer students for the time being.

“The municipality remains committed to delivering all essential services to residents and businesses during the pandemic outbreak,” said Wallace. “To encourage proper physical distancing and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, staff are working from home whenever possible and extra precautions are in place to protect those employees who cannot.”

The municipality is redeploying staff and other resources to enforce the provincial orders related to the closure of non-essential businesses and recreation and outdoor facilities. Redeployed staff are also helping implement new safety measures at landfills and transfer sites.

“With a focus on recovery, development services staff are working strategically to move applications forward so that approvals are ready once the development sector is able to resume.”

Applications are still being accepted for building permits, even for activities that cannot continue under the current provincial orders to speed up municipal responsiveness.

The municipality is continuing with certain critical infrastructure projects as permitted under the province’s essential workplaces provision. The work, which supports local jobs, includes the replacement of the Black River Bridge, upgrades to the water towers in Consecon and Bloomfield, and various road, water and sewer projects.

Wallace said the municipality is also on track to implement its commitments to improve several rural roads during the summer construction season.

Up-to-date information on the County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is posted on the County website: www.thecounty.ca/county-residents/covid-19.

Filed Under: Local News

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