The first in a series of county budget meetings kicked off at the Oxford County Administration Building today.
OXFORD COUNTY - Oxford County Council got its first look at a proposed business plan and budget for 2018.
The $229.7 million draft budget comes with a $57 million levy, and includes $60.8 million in capital spending. It also dedicates $3.7 million to new initiatives.
CAO Peter Crockett says they looking to sustain service levels in the county.
"There are some aspects of the program improvements and initiatives that are around making sure we better address some health and safety issues; whether it be staff or residents at Woodingford or the residents served by our paramedic services."
If approved the budget would dedicate $80,000 to new security measures at social housing units, in a response to an increase in police reported assaults. It would also implement a five year plan for in house mental health training for Woodingford Lodge staff, which would cost $4,000 in a one-time fee and $36,694 in ongoing costs.
Warden David Mayberry says the budget also looks to hire more EMS personnel.
"We have the vehicles we just don't have people 24/7 all the time. We know that particularly in urban areas we need to increase the staffing to make sure we have enough people to cover all the shifts all the time, or at least more people in some cases to cover all the shifts all the time."
Council will discuss the budget again on December 5th, before possibly approving it on December 13th.

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