Grey County staff are recommending an agreement with the City of Owen Sound to help cover the cost of courthouse security and court transportation.
The Owen Sound courthouse actually serves a larger region than just the city, but it’s the city that’s been footing the bill for it.
It serves the Bruce Peninsula and all of Grey County except for Hanover and West Grey.
On June 27th, County Councillor and Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy made a motion that County council direct staff to prepare a report summarizing the issue and providing options or models for funding.
Grey County staff say in their report, “The funding shortfalls that result from court security and prisoner transportation place an inequitable financial burden on the City of Owen Sound ratepayers for what is undeniably a service utilized by an inter-county regional population.”
Some money to cover the cost comes from the province each year, but it isn’t the full amount. In 2023, it cost Owen Sound taxpayers about $236,000 to cover the required total of about $566,000.
County staff say, the 2024 shortfall is expected to be $229,440.
They recommend the County cover the difference through annual tax allocations.
Council is due to hear the report Thursday, July 25th.
No decisions have been made yet.