THUNDER BAY -- Most of the local social services administration board's budget increase will be covered by the province.
What isn't, is mostly due to uncontrollable social housing costs like utilities and property taxes. The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board's $89.6 million budget, presented to the board Thursday afternoon and set for approval Dec. 17, is a 3.7 per cent increase over last year. Around $114,000, or o.5 per cent of that, will come from the municipal levy. CAO Bill Bradica said most of the increase in the Ontario Works benefits are covered by the province.
While cases across the district are only up around one or two per cent, the province has committed to a $25 a month increase to benefits every year for three years.
"That is one of the main reasons," he said.
Around $16 million of the $24 million municipal levy goes to housing. On the social housing side, the board is seeing a 3.5 per cent increase in costs, largely due to hydro, water and property tax increases.
Child care is around $2 million.
