Atikokan sets its sights on getting DSSAB jobs decentralized

Ken Johnston
Editor

Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) was the topic of several discussions at the Rainy River District Municipal Association (RRDMA) annual meeting Saturday in Bergland.
Atikokan Treasurer André Morin presented the RRDMA with a discussion paper on changing the apportionment of costs for DSSAB to the municipalities. In his paper he noted that presently the cost apportionment is done using average weighted property assessments. Morin suggested that rather than average assessments being used a new formula using actual assessments and a economic benefit factor be used.
The economic benefit would be calculated by the number of DSSAB employees living in a community. He suggested that for each employee in the community there is economic benefits to that community and they should therefor pay for that benefit.
At present much of the DSSAB is staffed in Fort Frances and some in the larger centers. Morin noted that this idea of revisiting the apportionment started with the Township of Chapple. If changed to Morin’s system he said Chapple would save $139,000 annually from its budget. He also noted that the new system would actually cost Atikokan about $50,000 more. “It is about what is fair,” said Morin.
Lake of the Woods Mayor Val Pizey noted that the current apportionment formula took a great deal of time to arrive at and that if DSSAB revisits it, it must get a double majority to change it. “I would caution you. The province may step in (if there is no formula in place) and force more costs to you.” She argued achieving a double majority was very difficult for the current formula and added, “You won’t get a double majority on this.”
Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown said he feels this is a very good time to be looking at this issue. “DSSAB is looking for more space and we should look at decentralizing it and spreading its jobs out.”
Donna Dittaro of DSSAB noted that the board is constantly looking at ways to ease the financial pressures on municipalities. She explained that centralized services save everyone money by having less duplication and one set of management.
Instead of cutting services the board looked at other ways it could make money. “That is where the Rainycrest idea came from,” said Dittaro.
At present the communities of RRDMA pay $5.5 million of the $12.3 million annual budget. Atikokan councillor Charlie Viddal noted that at provincial budget hearings held in Atikokan it was stressed to MPPs that the province should seriously look at taking back funding of social services.
Morin noted that the paper he put forward is intended to stimulate discussion and that perhaps after careful review it may be determined that the current system is the fairest achievable. He urged all municipal treasurers to get in touch with him to discuss the matter as soon as possible so that changes, if brought forward could be implemented before the current DSSAB is passed. Admittedly he said there may not be enough time to do that for this year.