BARRHEAD-For the last two years, Barrhead and District Family Community Support Services (FCSS) has asked the Barrhead municipalities for an increase in their budget.
However, at the Nov. 10 Town of Barrhead council meeting, executive director Shelly Dewsnap asked Town of Barrhead councillors to roll back the municipality's contribution in 2021 to 2019 levels.
Later in the meeting, councillors accepted Dewsnap’s presentation as information. The final decision whether council approves the FCSS budget will be part of the municipality's overall budget deliberation process which began earlier this month.
Although FCSS is a stand-alone, non-profit organization, they, like all other Alberta FCSS organizations, receive their funding through provincial and municipal government grants in an 80-20 per cent split, with the province being responsible for the larger portion. The rest of their funding for programming that falls outside the province's mandate for FCSS comes from community funding.
Traditionally, the Barrhead municipalities have contributed equal amounts. For the three years before 2019, FCSS asked for the municipal contribution to be set at $100,000 or $50,000.
However, two years ago, Dewsnap asked the municipalities to increase their share by $11,000 each, the bulk of which went towards a cost of living adjustment for staff.
This year in January, for the 2020 calendar year, asked for an additional $15,000 above the municipalities’ usual $50,000 contribution. Without the funds, she said FCSS would reduce the number of days a week it was open from five to four.
In addition to the contributions from the municipalities, the budget includes $315,423. Other expected revenue sources include home support fees from its senior support program, administration fees and donations for a total of $484,868.50. Expenses are projected to meet income for a balanced budget.
Dewsnap said the reason why FCSS is asking the municipalities for less money is that they project it will not be needed due to a change in how programming is delivered as well as a decreased demand for some programs partially due to the pandemic. She also noted some of FCSS' initiatives will be discontinued, singling out the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) program that won't be available after March 31.
On the expense side, Dewsnap said despite the restraints, the 2021 budget includes a 1.5 per cent wage increase.
"The increase is needed so that we remain competitive. And we also want to make sure that we are looking after our staff who have continued to work as normal throughout the pandemic," she said.
Dewsnap added staff will continue to have development opportunities as they have committed a significant portion, although slightly less than 2020.
FCSS also plans to increase its advertising budget, restoring it close to the 2019 level after cutting it by almost 50 per cent in 2020.
"We find that we are doing more advertising through the newspaper because of the pandemic because of its connection to the community. People are looking to it to see what is going on in the region and at FCSS," she said.
FCSS has also increased its supply budget for all of its programs and bumped up its overall maintenance and janitorial budget, again due to the changes made necessary because of COVID-19.
Dewsnap said they also significantly decreased the amount devoted to its counselling services, primarily because of the way they are delivering the program. Previously FCSS were providing the service in-house but they are now contracting it out.
However, she noted if needed, they have earmarked some of its community funds to offset any shortfalls.
Increased services
In 2021, they will increase the community development and volunteer coordinator's position from 15 hours a week to three days a week.
FCSS plans to expand the home support program, which provides light housekeeping at a subsidized rate for eligible seniors adding a collective kitchen program.
The initiative would see seniors get together in small groups and make meals together.
"It is not so much about the food, teach cooking or budgeting skills, but to replace the connection seniors lost when we cancelled the seniors' pie and coffee program," Dewsnap said.
FCSS also plans to expand their youth programming and offer stand-alone courses such as first aid, CPR and babysitting that were available through the discontinued Family Student Liaison program.
Woodlands County
Coun. Rod Klumph asked about the status of Woodlands County contributions. Currently, Barrhead's FCSS provides services to Woodlands County residents living in the Fort Assiniboine/Timeu and Goose Lake areas under an agreement they have with the county.
"We have sent a proposed contract to [Woodlands County council] for their consideration, to ask for $12,500 annually and perhaps a three-year agreement," Dewsnap said, adding Woodlands County councillors are expected to discuss it at their Nov. 17 meeting.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
