Huron County Warden Paul Gowing says one of the most encouraging signs he got from the recent Western Wardens meeting in Blyth was the attendance of the president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
AMO President Gary MacNamara announced a three-phase program to find new revenue for lower-tier municipalities to compensate for the cuts in funding from the province.
Paul Gowing says it's a clear signal that the rest of the province is aware of the challenges rural municipalities are facing, and that's something that's been questioned recently by several rural municipalities.
Recent figures indicate municipalities get about nine cents of every tax dollar, but are responsible for about 60 per cent of their infrastructure.
Gowing adds the first phase of the project will involve making lower-tier municipalities aware of the project and consulting with them on their specific issues and what they see as possible solutions.
