The City of Dryden will have to shell out more money for public health after all.
Councillor Norm Bush says they have decided to pay the 2020 municipal levy increase despite an earlier decision to only pay 2019 rates.
Increased pressure on public health due to COVID-19 factored into the decision.
The hike results in another $30,000 out of City coffers.
However, Bush stresses they can’t continue to absorb these unsustainable cost increases and he’s hoping for better dialogue with the health unit after the pandemic ends.
John Carlucci agrees that the decision doesn’t mean the City can afford on-going levy increases.
“I just don’t want to take our foot off the gas. If down the road we can have a healthy discussion with the Northwestern Health Unit, that should be done, because I still think we are paying a lot more than we can afford.”
Michelle Price says they need to start dealing with this now so they are ready for 2021.
“Let the health unit know that we desperately can’t afford to have these continued hikes and rates.
The 2019 rate was $363,780.99.
In 2020 the City of Dryden will be required to pay $393,330.08.
