The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville continue to provide programming and services, including critical care services.
Maple View Lodge longterm care facility is COVID-19 and influenza ‘A’ free. As the health of residents and staff continues to be of the highest priority, the facility is meeting and exceeding provincial guidelines, including no visitors. There is increased monitoring and screening and staff is prohibited from working in more than one home. Many of these measures were implemented prior to being mandated by the province. The staffing and emergency supply equipment levels are currently adequate.
Emergency Child Care Centres are open and operating in Kemptville and Brockville. The centres are for qualifying essential and frontline workers open seven days a week. Both centres may be expanded if needed.
Child care rooms are limited to six children each to maintain required distancing guidelines. For an application form, please go to: uclg.formbuild-er.ca/Community-and-Social-Services/Childrens-Services/Emergency-Licensed-Child-Care-Application.
Social Services Emergency Relief Fund: Additional funding from the province totalling $1.553 million is being used to allow the expansion of a wide range of services and supports for vulnerable populations. Funding will help to support such services as food banks, charities and non profits to support the delivery of their critical services to those in need in our community. An additional amount will be administered through the Employment and Education Centre for individual applications to provide supports related to Covid-19. Funds will also support the establishment of a temporary social distancing centre for those facing precarious housing situations. For more information contact Director of Community and Social Services, Alison Tutak at 613-342-3840, ext. 2305.
Counties Paramedic Service: The service has undertaken an expanded role in Community Paramedicine as authorized by the province and is assisting with testing at the COVID-19 Brockville Assessment Centre. Paramedics are available for home testing when required under the direction of the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. The Paramedic Service is anticipating additional testing supports as needed with increased testing in long-term care and retirement homes. Staffing and emergency equipment supply levels remain adequate.
Economic Development: The Counties Economic Development Office is working with economic development agencies across Leeds and Grenville. It is coordinating any COVID-19 funding support messages for business. A survey of businesses has been completed with results shared with all Leeds and Grenville municipalities. See the COVID-19 Business Support webpage for more information: https://invest.leedsgrenville.com/en/contacts-news-events/covid-19.aspx#.
Counties reporting a surplus from the 2019 budget: Counties Council approved the distribution of the 2019 budget year-end surplus totaling $739,326 to various reserves.
The Counties total budget expense for 2019 was approximately $104-million. After completion of the year-end audit, the Counties ended with a 0.71% surplus within the operating budget. For more information, con-
tact Counties Treasurer Pat Huffman at 613-342-3840, ext. 2468.
Public Works projects to begin as scheduled: The rehabilitation of sections of County Roads 1, 3 and 42 will begin as scheduled in May. Work will include patching, culvert replacement, paved shoulders, guide rail replacement and line painting. For more information, contact Drector of Public Works Arup Mukherjee at 613-342-3840, ext. 2412.
