FONOM Board Meets in Sault Ste. Marie
Date published: Monday, September 30, 2013
The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities Board of Directors held its September 19, 2013 meeting in Sault Ste Marie, the host city for the 2014 annual FONOM conference. The Board addressed several topics.
Meeting highlights included:
• A program review presentation by Bruce Strapp on behalf of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) outlined priority sectors, application timing and explained the review process. FONOM was pleased with Mr. Strapp’s presentation and FONOM looks forward to the rollout of the revamped program.
• FONOM agreed to move forward with an agreement with Dan Lawrie Insurance Brokers Ltd. which provides a group insurance package to municipalities with as little as three employees. This group insurance package will help generate a source of revenue for FONOM.
• Mayor of Sudbury, Marianne Matichuk, made a presentation on behalf of the Northern Ontario Large Urban Municipalities (NOLUM). The focus was placed on key needs for northern municipalities which included relationships, infrastructure, energy, workforce development, research and innovation, and revenue sharing. FONOM will work in collaboration with partners and the Provincial Government to organize a Northern Summit.
The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities expressed their interest in having representation on the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) Board which will allow for a greater presence of northern municipal concerns.
FONOM supports the distribution formula recommended by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) concerning the Rural, Small Urban and Northern Municipal Infrastructure Fund. The recommendation of a base plus per capita funding model was argued to be the most equitable means to deliver immediate funding that supports road and bridge infrastructure.
A resolution put forward by the Town of Parry Sound in support of Ontario’s urban forests was supported. FONOM also demonstrated its support for the Township of Baldwin concerning the dialogue that they wish to open with the provincial government regarding correspondence with small municipalities and Provincial Land Tax reform.
The next scheduled meeting for the FONOM Board will be held on November 14, 2013 in Little Current.
For more information, contact:
Alan Spacek, President, FONOM 705-335-0001