Background

The BMRA has begun to develop a position on the topic of regional service delivery within the Southern Georgian Bay area.  Regional services include water, first responders, social services and recreational facilities.

The topic of efficient delivery of services within our broader region is not new,

We are now seeing some increased level of discussion at both municipal and provincial levels. 

Our interest is solely in aligning the delivery of services with the population that is consuming the services. The work we have been doing and continue to do with Grey County regarding how and where our tax contributions to the county are spent is part of the same initiative. As we continue to refine our position we have been seeking feedback from neighbouring municipalities.

We met with the Mayors of Collingwood & Meaford

The BMRA , represented by John White and John Relihan, recently met with 2 of our neighbouring mayors to discuss their respective viewpoints on efficient service delivery with Southern Georgian Bay.

Mayor Hamlin of Collingwood and Mayor Kentner of Meaford welcomed us to their offices for an exchange of viewpoints.  We discussed services like water, first responders, social services and recreational facilities.

Both mayors acknowledged the considerable economies of scale that are potentially available to our municipalities through some level of regional co ordination.

We appreciate the Mayors’ interest

Full credit to each of the Mayors, in that each seemed sincerely interested in doing what is right for our respective tax payers versus insisting on maintaining the status quo.

A long road ahead

The concept of a single tier municipality in Souther Georgian Bay is not likely to become a reality in the near future, however, interest in our position from both Collingwood and Meaford was very high.

Mayor Hamlin from Collingwood recently presented to one of the provincial legislative committees highlighting the inefficiencies within Sothern Georgian Bay that result from municipal and county boundaries that no longer reflect the reality of population growth and density within Souther Georgian Bay.

Our basic message is the same:

If our tax dollars continue to disproportionately fund Grey County then our tax burden will continue to disproportionally increase. Our goal is to work towards an answer that will see more of our tax dollars spent on the services that we need in Blue Mountains.

The fact that discussions and positions are being established is the beginning and we are happy that we have an opportunity to be part of that process.  We already have had the opportunity to present to provincial budget committees and we have been informed that we are invited to present to a legislative committee hearing in May .

Have you renewed your membership, yet?

We depend on your membership dues to continue to work to ensure and enhance the quality of life for our community.

If you haven’t renewed, yet, please take a moment now.

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THANK YOU!