District of Muskoka - Services Review

Citizen Involvement in District Service Review

Background

In August of 2008, spending at the District of Muskoka became front page news when it was learned that the District debt had exceeded $100,000,000. An angry group of associations and individuals converged on a public meeting hosted by the District of Muskoka in Bracebridge to question, vent, suggest change, and in general express outrage at the situation. Many presentations were emotional, some factual, and a few even helpful. What the meeting did bring into focus for us was that:

  • We (the Ratepayers) did not know as much as we needed to about the District of Muskoka (as compared to the Township of Muskoka Lakes)
  • As taxpayers in the Township, approximately 14% of our tax dollars go to the Township, while almost 50% goes to the District
  • To understand and be effectively engaged in District matters would demand more resources than we (the MRA) had.

Over the next while, we (the MRA) met with representatives of the Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA), the Lake of Bays Association (LOBA), and the Georgian Bay Association (GBA) to see how we could present a more effective voice at the District.

Jointly, our associations delegated several District meetings, but the one that is most relevant took place during the budget review in early April of 2010. We made a coordinated 3-part presentation that began with Bill Rogers from LOBA, followed by Brian McElwain of the MLA, and concluded with Peter Long of the MRA. Each part of the presentation focused on different areas of the budget, but all made reference to the "Core Services" that the District was to provide.

There are several observations that can be made about that meeting with the District, including:

  • All our associations were sending essentially the same message
  • It was clear that some of the items that District was spending money on were not really part of their “core services”
  • The “normal” time for public input (in this case the budget) came far too late in the process to have any affect; our presentation was made on April 6, and the full Council met on April 12 to approve the budget

In the days following the meeting, discussions were held with Gord Adams (then District Chair) who agreed that our input was valuable, that a review of "Core Services" was essential, and that earlier citizen involvement was beneficial to all (see Gord's letter of September 2010).

Of course, the election of 2010 then took place, and an entirely new Township Council was elected, and the majority of the District Council was replaced, including the District Chair.

The good news is that John Klink, the new District Chair, agreed with Gord Adams, and hosted a meeting with our 4 associations at the District on March 23rd of this year. John also insured that the right people from the District were there including Deputy Chair Scott Young, CAO Jim Green, Director of Finance Stephen Cairns, CES Chair Alice Murphy, and himself as District Chair. We talked about the budget process for the coming year, special projects, and of course - "Core Services". The meeting proved very beneficial to all, and the District followed up with a detailed listing of the services provided by the District, and how (and if) they were mandated.

Recent Events

At a recent (District) Corporate and Emergency Services (CES) committee, Jim Green (the District CAO) brought forward a proposal that would:

  • Establish a Steering Committee chaired by the District Chair to examine the range and level of services that the District provides with the goal of reducing the operating and capital budgets
  • Establish a "Citizen Advisory Committee" that would be comprised of 9 members representing various associations, stakeholder groups, the public, etc. to be engaged at all phases of the review
  • Provide funding for the Review and its reports

After debate at the CES committee meeting, a number of things changed in the resolution going forward to Council for their approval - specifically:

  1. The Steering Committee moved from a Council responsibility under the District Chair to a CES responsibility under its chair
  2. The Citizens Advisory Committee was "deleted" and staff directed to encourage their (citizen) participation in the future
  3. The funding will be provided in the 2012 budget

The first issue about the constitution and accountability of the Steering Committee is a matter for District Councillors to work out. However, the second aroused not only the local newspapers, but also the associations that had been working for early citizen involvement on important District matters.

Our four associations hastily convened a joint meeting in Bracebridge on October 26th where we unanimously agreed to try to effect a change in the CES motions to District Council on October 31st related to citizen involvement. To that end, we decided on the following course of action:

  • We would draft and send a joint letter to all District Councillors (see our letter)
  • We would individually phone District Councillors to further explain our concerns
  • We would jointly delegate the District Council meeting on October 31st to ask that they reconsider citizen involvement throughout the entire process (see our delegation presentation)

The Outcome

At the District Council meeting of October 31st, our efforts appear to have paid off. Most importantly, the Citizens Advisory Committee was re-established, and staff was directed to seek interest from groups and individuals interested in serving on such a committee. That work is ongoing at present

In a related matter, the composition of the Steering Committee was changed back to the original makeup proposed by Jim Green, and includes:

  • District Chair - John Klink - also chair of Steering Committee
  • Deputy District Chair - Scott Young
  • Standing Committee Chairs:
    • Community Services - Fran Coleman (Huntsville)
    • Corporate and Emergency Services - Alice Murphy (Township of Muskoka Lakes)
    • Engineering and Public Works - Bob Colhoun (Gravenhurst)
    • Planning and Economic Development - Lori-Lynn Giaschi-Pacini (Bracebridge)
  • A Council representative from Township of Georgian Bay
  • A Council representative from Lake of Bays

Our associations are very pleased with this final outcome. Most importantly, we are glad that the District has recognized the value of early citizen involvement. Perhaps Georgian Bay Mayor Larry Braid summed it up best when he stated

“I can tell you, I’ve been around this for 14 years now and I can only say one thing: involve your citizens or it’s suicide.”

You can see a final copy of Jim Green's amended and approved report here (approved report)

We should also not kid ourselves in this matter. Involvement on the Citizens Advisory Committee will be hard work, demanding of time, and the willingness to do more than complain. The Citizens committee is still being formed, and we will update you with it's membership when available.

Last Updated: November 23, 2011