UPDATE: Belleville Coun. Kelly Henderson has offered a response to Southeast Public Health’s announcement of its project $3.6 million in surplus funding.
In a statement to the media, Henderson said this money could have a ‘significant impact’ on not only Belleville’s budget, but also on the budgets of partnering municipalities.
Henderson originally had presented the amendment to lower their budget increase request from five to three per cent due to what she noted was the SEPH’s reported refusal to provide key financial disclosures to their various expense allocations.
She added she felt this was a lack of transparency from the health unit and that this money could have gone to reduce the financial burden on local taxpayers.
Henderson also outlined that she would be filing a freedom of information request for full disclosure of the health unit’s ‘Professional and Contract Services,’ as well as a motion on the new funding stream.
ORIGINAL STORY
Southeast Public Health appears to be in favourable financial standing coming out of the previous year.
The Board received an update on Wednesday from the Finance Committee which included information about the draft, unaudited 2025 financial results showing that Southeast Public Health has revenues slightly above plan due to additional one-time funding.
This has resulted in a projected surplus of approximately $3.6M, which subject to audit, will go into reserve to support future financial sustainability.
The Board deferred the staff presentation on the financial projections update until the next meeting on March 25.
Also on Wednesday, the SEPH was asked by Belleville Council to lower their budget increase to the city to three per cent from the requested five per cent.
