MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - County council has approved further allocations from the Municipal Operating Support Transfer (MOST) grant, following previous allocations $866,702.
During the Dec. 9 council meeting, councillors approved $30,000 for Greenwood Neighbourhood Place (GNP) and $20,000 for county shop and office washroom enhancements.
The federal grant program is intended to provide support to municipalities which have experienced significant operating impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The impacts can be in areas such as personal protective equipment, supplemental cleaning, support for vulnerable populations, and replacement of reduced revenues.
Council instructed administration to bring a report to the Jan. 12 council meeting regarding possible further allocations, including priorities such as rural community halls, small businesses hurt by the COVID pandemic, and libraries.
On Nov. 25 councillor allocated $866,702 in MOST funding to various projects, including the 2020 tax incentive program at cost of $240,468. The incentive is meant to help ratepayers who are facing financial hardship by offering a one per cent reduction in the total tax bill if paid prior to July 15, and a 0.5 per cent reduction in total tax bill if paid prior to Aug. 15.
About $380,000 in MOST funding remains to be allocated by the county.
During a previous meeting, GNP executive director Sari Werezak gave council an update on recent activities and challenges facing the community-support organization.
The organization requested $30,000 from the county for 2021. It serves clients in both the town of Sundre and surrounding Mountain View County.
“We know that we are the conduit for the community to find access to supports and we have built a level of trust,” said Werezak. “People who come into our office feel safe and supported. We service a whole range of demography and we truly are community builders. GNP is taking care to identify, connect and mobilize assets that exist in our community.”
GNP has suffered significant financial reduction from the province due to elimination of funding contracts and reduced grant program funding, she said.
As a result of reduced hours at GNP -- from four days a week to three days in 2020 -- there has been added strain on staff who continue to try to deliver the same level of service and programs, she said.
GNP services include social service support, a community resource centre, information and referral, meeting space, and a volunteer centre to foster community connections and opportunities, she said.
GNP administers Sundre's Family Community Support Services (FCSS), which includes youth, adult, family and seniors’ programs, and various workshops throughout the year. For example, the community volunteers income tax program ran more than 400 hours and completed 282 returns in 2019.
Joint FCSS and GNP programs include Tools for Schools and board development workshops.
GNP has community partnerships with numerous groups, including the Primary Care Network, Family Resource Network, Career Access Network, and Mountain View Emergency Shelter.
A Sundre and area needs assessment is currently underway, and so far, 43 per cent of respondents have been from the county, council heard.
The 2021-22 GNP budget calls for total revenue of $214,332, and expenses of $275,183, for a projected deficit of $61,851.
Coun. Peggy Johnson commended GNP’s staff and volunteers for their efforts.
“Thank you for all the good work you do. It is hugely significant,” said Johnson.
Reeve Bruce Beattie said, “Hopefully we can find ways to make Greenwood Neighbourhood Place continue. Never has there been a greater need for these types of social services and programs.”
