The Rural Ontario Municipal Association’s annual conference recently wrapped up with well over 2300 delegates from 316 municipalities attending. While there were lots of critical concerns and problems addressed at the event, Perth Councillor Jim Boldt said the overall atmosphere was noticeably upbeat.
Councillors and staff are encouraged to request meetings with Queen’s Park ministers on any topic in advance of the convention, and Perth chose to meet with Solicitor General Michael Kerzner to discuss the Town’s increasing costs of maintaining the local Ontario Court’s security.
Boldt said the Province recently ordered increased security at the court-house at Perth’s expense.
Boldt noted that in the past, operating the court in Perth was revenue neutral to the Town, but with 7 or 8 area communities also benefiting from good access to a Provincial Court, these increasing costs should be shared among them.
Boldt reports that the Solicitor General committed to reviewing Perth’s concerns and he pointed to other Ontario communities that have experienced similar court cost pressures and have found solutions.
Story by Brian Turner
