Consultant’s report places Brantford-Brant amalgamation debate to relaxation: Mayors

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A Brantford – Brant County amalgamation seems to be off the desk following the discharge of a advisor’s report.

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Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis says he received’t be speaking about it whereas Brant County Mayor David Bailey says it’s time to maneuver on.

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“While we acknowledge that the report is based largely on assumptions, we’re happy that Mayor Davis has concluded that amalgamation shouldn’t be the reply for the residents of town, as now we have lengthy been conscious it’s not the reply for the residents of the County of Brant,” Bailey mentioned in a ready assertion. “This is a place now we have constantly maintained since this report was directed to be accomplished by Mayor Davis utilizing his robust mayor powers.

“We are prepared to maneuver on from this dialog and give attention to what issues to our residents.”

Bailey made the feedback following the discharge of Brantford-Brant Amalgamation: Financial Analysis, a report ready by Hemson, a Toronto consulting agency. The report was commissioned by Davis utilizing his robust mayor’s powers earlier this 12 months.

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Brantford metropolis council had put aside $80,000 for the examine however the precise price got here in a $42,000.

The report, launched Nov. 28, discovered that amalgamation would seemingly lead to greater taxes and prices for Brantford residents and decrease taxes and prices for county residents.

County residents would additionally profit from improved service requirements, extra typical of city communities, resembling municipal-wide transit providers.

Davis mentioned he was stunned by the report’s findings.

“I believed that the top results of amalgamation can be county residents paying extra taxes and metropolis residents paying much less taxes,” Davis mentioned. “Instead, this examine has discovered the precise reverse.”

Davis mentioned the examine confirms that amalgamation would generate administrative financial savings. But these financial savings can be exceeded by offering city-level providers resembling knowledgeable as a substitute of volunteer fireplace service and and expanded transit system.

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Bailey took subject with the insinuation that county residents would profit from enhanced ranges of service, notably round emergency providers.

“It highlights a lack of information about how the county delivers providers to residents,” Bailey mentioned in his assertion. “Further, it means that our residents should not pleased with, or have full confidence in, the devoted first responders who serve our group with excellence and dedication.”

This couldn’t be farther from the reality, Bailey mentioned.

The county’s first responders and lots of of county staff stay targeted on serving the group and delivering the best high quality providers to residents, companies and guests, Bailey mentioned.

However, Bailey mentioned the report accurately highlights that the county and metropolis are distinctly totally different municipalities.

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“These distinctions are what make us distinctive and why our residents have been passionate in sharing their opposition to amalgamation every time it has been raised by town’s political management,” Bailey mentioned.

Bailey mentioned the county hopes the report will function a chance to maneuver ahead with a typical aim, offering the absolute best providers to each communities.

“The County of Brant will proceed to work collaboratively with the City of Brantford and helps future discussions which can be respectful and constructive,” Bailey mentioned. “When we work collectively, we are able to accomplish a lot extra.”

Meanwhile, Davis used the report back to appropriate the file with respect to amalgamation.

“I’ve typically been accused of pushing exhausting or advocating for amalgamation and that’s incorrect,” Davis mentioned. “What I’ve pushed exhausting for is acquiring dependable details about amalgamation.

“Everyone has an opinion about amalgamation however we’ve by no means had an goal unbiased evaluation of the prices and advantages.”

Davis mentioned the Hemson report supplies the target data wanted to higher form and inform the talk.

And, Davis mentioned, county residents needn’t fear about him speaking about amalgamation.

“There’s no actual profit to town,” Davis mentioned.

Vball@postmedia.com

@EXPVBall

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