Huntsville & Lake Of Bays partner to create a new Climate Change Project Co-ordinator position
Lake of Bays Council agreed to partnership with Huntsville to create a new Climate Change Project Co-ordinator position, in the August 13, 2024, meeting.
Director of Planning Services, April Best-Sararas, advised that the department has received a total of 67 planning applications in the second quarter so far this year. Her report indicated 41 for the second quarter last year, resulting in 26 additional applications.
She told Council that the climate change initiatives are proving challenging to manage. She said, “It takes staff time and resources to implement projects on a timely basis.”
According to her report, some of the Township’s climate change projects include the Climate Emergency, Adaption and Mitigation plans, Integrated Watershed Management, Conservation, Electric Vehicles, and Environment Projects Grant Program.
It adds, “The existing permanent Planning Services Department staff complement does not have the capacity to advance all of these important climate initiatives in a timely manner without additional permanent support.”
Her report continues that staff have had discussions with Huntsville and concluded that benefits of a partnership for this shared Co-ordinator position include “skills, capacity and workload efficiency that it would bring.” It adds, “In addition, a shared services venture would provide additional support to both municipalities while reducing the financial burden.”
Sararas advised that $30,000 was allocated to climate initiatives in 2024 which haven’t been depleted and can be applied to the shared position for the remainder of the year.
Her report indicates the shared cost at $52,000 annually.
It adds, “Moving forward, funds for this position would be included as part of future annual budget processes.
Councillor, Mike Peppard, expressed that the partnership is beneficial to both municipalities and helps the Township achieve their environmental goals.
Mayor, Terry Glover, said, “Climate change is upon us. We see lots of evidence to that.”
He suggested, “It’s important to move forward to work with Huntsville on other items. This is a good move forward to be taking action.”
