Central Frontenac gets clean bill of health from auditors

Craig Bakay | Apr 24, 2019

“Everything’s looking quite healthy,” auditor Cara Chesney of MNP LLP told Central Frontenac Council at its regular meeting Tuesday evening at Oso Hall. “There were no difficulties encountered during the course of our audit procedures: no changes to the initial audit plan and no disagreements or difficulties with management.

She said there was an increase in tangible capital assets in 2018 (acquisitions totaled $2.8 million) and large projects included Elm Tree Road bridge and Henderson Road culverts. Large purchases included fleet and machinery.

This was offset by amortization expense of $1.8 million and disposals of capital assets. There was an increase in deferred revenue due to unspent funding from OCIF (which is required to be spent on infrastructure).

The $2.8 million in capital asset additions was the third largest figure since 2013. The largest figure was in 2015 at $6,199,670, which Treasurer Michael McGovern noted included Wagarville Road, which was paid for largely with grant money.

She said there was an increase in total expenses in 2018, attributable to wage increases, materials purchases and amortization of capital assets. However, total expenses were consistent with budgeted figures.

In the summary of audit findings, she said tangible capital assets are approximately 34 per cent used (35 per cent in 2017) and more than half of the annual expenses are related to transportation, followed by protection and general government.

Software woes for fire department
The fire department has its head in a cloud, and Dep. Chief Jamie Riddell didn’t seem too happy about it.

Riddell reported that Firehouse Cloud software has been installed but it has problems.

“IT has been one headache after another,” he said. “Cloud was supposed to make firehouse better — but it’s done the complete opposite.”

He did say that Central Frontenac joined South and North Frontenac to purchase a fit test machine for breathing apparatuses.

The home inspection program starts in May.

Hazardous waste day is gone for 2019
Council passed a resolution officially cancelling Household Hazardous Waste Day for this year but Mayor Frances Smith pointed out that if a plan to work with South Frontenac and/or the City of Kingston doesn’t work out, it could be revisited next year.

Coun. Tom Dewey tried to reopen debate to no avail. However, Dewey did ask for a recorded vote, with the results being Dewey and Coun. Elwin Burke voting against the measure.

New Quinte Chief administrator comes calling
New Quinte Conservation Authority CAO Brad McNevin addressed Council as part of his tour of the municipalities the CA services.

In Central Frontenac, Quinte Conservation administers the Fish Creek and Kennebec Complex wetlands,, the Depot Lakes Conservations Area, 45 lakes and six dams — Second Depot Lake, Third Depot Lake, Upper Arden, Middle Arden, Lower Arden and Dead Creek.

Central’s contribution to the total special levy is $8,567 of $350,000.

Later in the meeting, Council passed a resolution to firm up a special service delivery agreement with Quinte Conservation as it relates to planning matters.