The Town of Aylmer is in…

The Town of Aylmer is in agreement with the comments and submissions made to the Ministry by the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority. In addition the Town would make the following comments upon the proposal:

1. The proposed boundary consolidation can be anticipated to significantly increase costs to local municipalities for the provision of services due to the following.
a) The newly created regional authority is likely to result in higher staff salaries than are currently paid by the many small authorities.
b) A large organization is unlikely to reduce staffing levels but will create a need for higher levels of professional expertise along with additional layers of management that do not exist at many small authorities.
c) Standardization of assets, amenities and equipment in camping and recreation areas is likely to lead to significant capital cost increases that are in excess of what is commonly advanced in small rural conservation authorities.
d) Local affordability is unlikely to be a key mandate of a new regional authority given that changes in representation are likely to minimize small communities.

2. Regionalization can be anticipated to hinder local economic investment. The Town of Aylmer enjoys a high level of responsiveness from the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority and the development community enjoys working with a reasonable authority for the issuance of permits. Additional bureaucracy and delays in permit issuance can be anticipated if a regional authority is established.

Respectfully the Town of Aylmer request that the Ministry undertake more due diligence and consultation to assure that the proposed change will not have a negative impact upon municipal levies or upon permit issuance requirements or timelines.

Thank you for your consideration,

Jack Couckuyt
Mayor of the Town of Aylmer