Motion sought information on reserve funding options for Lower Beverley Lake Park septic infrastructure
Rideau Lakes council voted against seeking information on whether parkland reserve funds could be used to support future septic infrastructure work at Lower Beverley Lake Park after a debate over taxpayer responsibility, competition with private campgrounds and the role of municipal reserves.
During the June 8 committee of the whole meeting, Coun. Paula Banks introduced a motion asking staff to report back on whether any septic infrastructure identified in the Egis Sewage System Assessment Report could qualify for parkland reserve funding consideration.
An Egis engineering assessment found that 10 of the park’s 11 sewage systems required remedial work ranging from the installation of effluent filters to full leaching bed replacements. While no immediate operational failures were identified, several systems required replacement or significant upgrades to meet current regulatory expectations.
The Lower Beverley Lake Park board emphasized earlier this year that all existing sewage systems remained functional and that no system failures had occurred. The board described the work as targeted improvements to specific systems identified in the engineering review.
The motion on June 8 also asked staff to report on options for council to consider contributing up to $200,000 toward the issue through eligible parkland reserve funding, municipal contributions, donations or an interest-free municipal loan structure.
Banks stressed several times that the motion was intended to gather information rather than commit funds.
“We’re just asking staff to look at the septic system and what would be eligible for parkland funds,” she said. “We’re not committing to funds. We’re just asking staff to bring back a report.”
Coun. Dustin Bulloch, who seconded the motion, said the request would clarify what options might be available if funding discussions arise in the future.
“This doesn’t give direction to do anything,” Bullock said. “It’s merely to get information.”
The proposal drew opposition from some members of council, particularly over the possibility that municipal reserves could be used to support infrastructure at the park.
Deputy Mayor (DM) Jeff Banks questioned whether Lower Beverley Lake Park could continue to be described as self-sufficient if taxpayers were asked to help fund major capital expenses.
“What I have issue with is that I have heard that Lower Beverley Park is self-sufficient,” he said. “Well, it’s not self-sufficient if the taxpayers have to start sticking money into the infrastructure.”
He argued that park management should have planned for such costs by setting aside reserve funds generated through campground fees.
“If we do this once, then the request is going to continue to come back again, again and again,” DM Banks said.
Coun. Ron Pollard also voiced concerns about using parkland reserve funds for septic infrastructure at the park.
“Nothing against the park, but if we’re going to do that, then every campground in the (municipality) could apply for a piece of money from the parkland reserve,” Pollard said. “That’s not what it was designed for. It’s for public recreation.”
Coun. Debbie Hutchings said she had heard concerns from residents about how private campgrounds could compete if municipal resources were used to support a township-owned operation.
“It’s either a business or it’s a park,” Hutchings said, adding that she did not support subsidizing something that “can’t handle itself.”
Paula Banks pushed back on comparisons to private businesses, arguing that Lower Beverley Lake Park is a township asset.
“It is a township-owned park, so it can’t be compared to a commercial operation,” she said. “We own it.”
She also noted that the township regularly invests in maintaining other municipal facilities.
“We need to maintain our assets,” Banks said. “I’m not asking for funding. I’m asking staff to do the work and see what is even eligible.”
Seeking a compromise, Coun. Linda Carr proposed removing the portion of the motion referencing contributions of up to $200,000 and other funding mechanisms.
The amendment passed by a recorded vote of 7-1. Hutchings abstained and DM Banks voted against it.
The revised motion would have directed staff only to determine whether septic infrastructure identified in the Egis report, including the main comfort station septic system and other systems servicing public recreation facilities, could qualify for parkland reserve funding consideration.
Even in its amended form, the motion failed by a recorded vote of 5-4. Voting in favour were Paula Banks, Bulloch, Carr and Mayor Arie Hoogenboom.
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