County prioritizes economic stimulus package framework

By Kirk Starratt

kstarratt@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

Kings County council has put a prioritization framework in place for infrastructure funding for municipalities announced as part of an economic stimulus package in the recent federal budget.

Engineering and Public Works director Richard Lloyd said at council’s Wednesday, Feb. 4 session that the staff report and recommendations being presented came in response to a motion made at the January committee of the whole (COTW) meeting to provide the executive committee with prioritization framework for the project proposal list.

The list included more than 150 proposals valued at more than $47 million, not including those projects for which cost estimates were not readily available. Lloyd said this creates a unique degree of complexity to the program submission.

He noted the municipality is responsible for the collection and submission of county projects, those provided by the villages and the 11 district priorities submitted by councillors. A set of criteria has been established based on the most current understanding of the proposed federal-provincial infrastructure program and input from the executive committee.

The project criteria include Timing of Funding. The time frame for implementation is expected to be restrictive.

If funds are not expended in a timely manner in 2009 and 2010, they will be withdrawn. This makes it necessary for projects to start quickly, provide local employment and stimulate the economy.

The second criterion is Project and Labour Requirements. Labour requirements should be considered carefully and projects with a higher labour intensity are better candidates.

The third is Impact on General Tax Rate and the fourth is Operational Importance, Environmental Compliance, and Legislated Requirements. The fifth is High Visibility, Community Impact and Sustainability Requirements.

Three project tiers “We have three tiers of projects were looking at,” Lloyd said. In developing the project list for council, proposed initiatives were categorized in tiers, with Tier 1 projects being those that could be started and completed in 2009-2010; are easy to plan and implement; provide a positive impact on the community and local labour markets; are supported by environmental, legislative or operational factors; and have a favourable impact on the general tax rate.

Tier 2 projects don’t meet Tier 1 criteria but would provide sustainable value to the community and, subject to additional time or funding, should be implemented through future funding programs. These would have the potential to move to Tier 1 status if additional funding is procured.

Tier 3 projects are those that don’t meet the essential criteria or are longer term, carry much higher financial value or are strategic in nature. These would, in general, require substantial external funding, major stakeholder involvement, are complex in nature and require years of project development.

The proposed funding allocation for Tier 1 projects has been assigned based on percentages. For example, for the villages within Kings County, over all asset classes, 30 per cent of the funding would be allocated. The work required includes various repairs and improvements to village water, wastewater, roads, sidewalks, facilities, trails and recreation infrastructure. There are seven villages and the amount for each would be based on population.

For Kings County, under the Water and Wastewater asset class, 20 per cent of the funding would be allocated. The work required includes various repairs and improvements to county water and sewer infrastructure.

Requires repairs, improvements

Under the Municipal Facilities asset class, 10 per cent of the funding would be allocated. The work required includes various repairs and improvements to the county’s municipal complex facilities.

Under the Recreation, Trails and Community Centres asset class, 20 per cent of the funding would be allocated. Work required includes construction and improvements to county recreational facilities, trails and community centres.

Finally, under the Roads and Sidewalks asset class, 20 per cent of the funding would be allocated. The work required includes the paving of county roads and the construction and rehabilitation of sidewalks. Priority lists will be provided for each of the county asset classifications. Lloyd said this is a good mix for determining which projects get the go ahead. “We would prepare a list of projects we could get out the door in 2009 if this is accepted,” Lloyd said. “This allows us to apply funding over a broader range and do work that is important in all areas.”

However, as pointed out by Corporate Services director Bill McKennan, this is all predicated on the concept of block funding to municipalities. If the funding comes in another form, they won’t be able to target specific percentages.

Council approved a motion to direct staff to consult with the villages regarding the funding and priority method then meet with the executive committee to prepare a list of recommended Tier 1 projects. A report is to come back to council as soon as possible.

The federal government is allocating $12 billion for infrastructure across the country over the next two years, including a $4 billion infrastructure stimulus fund for municipal, provincial and territorial infrastructure “renewal” projects that would be ready for construction or “shovel ready” in 2009 or 2010.