Mayors Update April 20, 2020
The pandemic we are facing has demanded there be a significant shift in our operations within the village. That being said, all is operating as it should. All facilities except those that are considered essential have either been closed or access limited. The bills are being paid and the finances are safeguarded.
In the background there is work being done to upgrade our WEB site. Bylaws have been blocked while they are being reviewed. This review will see the bylaws broken into two categories (operating procedures for Council and general bylaws), this split should ease or reduce the search time needed when looking for information. It will also serve as an opportunity to list those bylaws that are in need of an update. No Bylaws will be amended or deleted in this review. I expect that they will be accessible on line within the next two weeks.
The COVID-19 pandemic has generated some new limits to what we “can” and “can not” do. We are working with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing as we move towards the appointment of an Acting Mayor and call a Municipal election. We will not be holding Council meetings with the general public until the pandemic is over. Government has passed legislation that permits this. Its not that there are secrets that Council wants to withhold from the general public. It is a matter of cost, time and social distancing.
This should not be of a major concern, as Council will not be making any major decisions until after an election has been held.
The Budget will go before Council on the 21st of April for fourth reading and I have every intention of recommending it be approved with one condition. I would like the budget to be returned to council after the election of a new Mayor so that we can claw back some funds to be put aside for future projects. The mindset of allocating and spending 100% of the tax dollars collected without setting aside for future requirements, needs to cease immediately. This form of budgeting will only increase your property taxes at a great rate of speed.
I have attempted to respond to questions and comments on the “Around Sayward” site and for reasons beyond my control, the information keeps being deleted. In the future, I will place information/responses on the Village WEB site.
I have attached the latest update from the SRD wrt COVID-19 for your review.
Director Bulletin Apr 21
Directors Bulletin April 15
Thank you to everyone who is respecting the “Social Distancing”
Keep Safe
William (Bill) Ives
Councillor
Village of Sayward