Chair debate gets $10,000 pre-budget approval

LAURIE WEIR

The Township of Rideau Lakes will celebrate the opening of the new Portland Hall and Library in May, with a pre-approved budget of no more than $1,000.

During a regular council meeting on March 3, Coun. Sue Dunfield introduced a motion to host a celebration on Saturday, May 17, to allow summer residents a chance to check out the new building. She was seeking pre-budget approval for the event, which was passed. 

Chair debate

Dunfield also introduced a motion for pre-budget approval of $10,714 before taxes to purchase 150 sturdy, stackable chairs and trolleys for the hall. The chairs, found at Costco, cost $71.43 each, according to the motion. The trolleys would allow for more storage options. 

Getting value for the money is important, said Mayor Arie Hoogenboom, but he noted that purchasing decisions should be handled by staff, not council or community enhancement committees. He also raised concerns about buying locally if the opportunity is available.

Hoogenboom questioned the use of the Portland Community Enhancement Committee’s legacy fund, which he said is “taxpayers’ money too … We shouldn’t be taxing the public twice for this.”

Dunfield said she and Steve Holmes, the township’s parks and facilities manager, had compared costs, and Costco offered the best price for suitable stackable chairs. She acknowledged the purchase was not local but said at the time—before the tariff war started on March 4—it was the best deal available. Locally, she said, she found chairs that were at least $20 more per unit (or $3,300, HST included). 

She added that the legacy funds are earmarked for a bulletin board in the village, new dishes for the hall and other kitchen utensils. “The legacy funds are there to enhance the hall. The chairs are there for us to sit on. We supply them for all our other halls.”

Coun. Marcia Maxwell said that if staff recommended the purchase, it should be presented to a municipal services committee meeting by staff. She suggested deferring the discussion.

Chief Administrative Officer Shellee Fournier said $100,000 is allocated in the budget—yet to be passed—for hall furnishings, including chairs. However, she said the contingency fund is only for construction expenses. She noted that the urgency may be due to potential price changes for the chairs.

Dunfield agreed that the word “contingency” should be replaced with the pre-approved dollar amount.

Both motions were passed. More to come on the open house in the weeks ahead.