Bruce County Council has decided to delay passing this year’s budget.
Personnel costs and ensuring there is enough office space for employees are the reasons behind the delay.
This year’s budget includes hiring two new full-time employees in the Human Resources Department.
The Clerk-Treasury budget also includes a four-month contract position worth over 13 thousand dollars which could be eliminated in favour of a full-time treasury position instead.
The balance of the salary costs would be covered by the Human Resources budget.
The hiring of a new Disability and Wellness Coordinator and Web Developer could also be delayed until May and June in order to save over 26 thousand dollars.
A summer student position in the EMS department could also be eliminiated in order to save over 56 hundred dollars.
Warden Bill Goetz says there were still a few issues surrounding the budget and there was no big hurry for it to be approved.
He says it’s his responsibility to take the time needed to address the issues surrounding costs and ensuring there is enough space at the county building for everyone to work in.
Goetz says the delay in approving the budget doesn’t mean the new employees won’t be hired, but it could be delayed, and he wants to be sure everyone on council understands the ramifications surrounding costs and office space.
The office space shortage could be solved by having departments relocate to other areas of the county building.
A special meeting of the County’s Corporate Services Committee will take place on April 15th and the budget approval process will begin at that time.