The municipality of West Nipissing will be receiving nearly $960,000 from the government.
It comes as part of the provincial and federal government’s commitment to provide up to $4 billion to Ontario’s municipalities.
The money is part of the Safe Restart Agreement.
Mayor Joanne Savage says that no decision has yet been made about how the money will be spent.
“The government always provides guidelines pertaining to funding. […] It’s COVID relief… so it’ll have to relate with COVID itself. All municipalities across the province of Ontario… Their budgets have been skewed in many ways due to closures. There’s been loss of revenues.” she said.
The Mayor adds that with gradual re-opening, there are also expenditures to making sure facilities remain safe for users, as well as the impact of the actual operations.
“There’s going to be an accountability process and reporting process to the Ministry. Any funds not expended will remain in Municipal coffers, and can be used for further COVID relief issues that can occur in the future.” said the Mayor.
She gave the example of the Assessment Centre Community, Marcel Noel Hall.
“It’s an excellent community partnership. We’ve been providing support as far as greeters at the centre, as well as the facilities being used. During this time, there is increased sanitation required. So additional expenditures, but also lost revenue because we can’t open that hall to be able to seek opportunities renting it for special events. All this to say… it’s great news we’re getting this funding. Whatever funding we get from the provincial or federal government will reduce the tax burden towards our taxpayers.” finished the Mayor.