Changes ahead for KDSB board

News — 15 December 2010

Kenora District Services Board (KDSB) is looking at some major changes as of January 1, 2011. With the recent municipal elections, the services board is looking at 11 new members out of 13.

Having to start right in with the annual budget, it will be a steep learning curve for most new members. The budget process normally begins in November for KDSB, but with the changeover in membership, it was delayed to late January.

Sten Lif, CAO for KDSB says the second round for budget debate should take place in February, and if all goes well, have it passed and in place by March.

Lif does foresee some significant challenges for the upcoming board, where the budget is concerned.

“There is significant increases in cost coming down, and some of that will be offset by some uploading of the ODSB costs to the province, but there is still significant numbers involved,” says Lif.

Lif says one of the biggest challenges and achievements the current board had to undertake was an operational and governance review which was done in 2008. One of the recommendations that came from that review was to develop a strategic plan.

The board took on the challenge of developing the plan, and had it complete and implemented by January of 2010.

“There are some challenges there, always there is the cost of business, where is the money going to come from,” comments Lif. “I think the new board is going to have to take upon itself to make several trips to Queen’s Park and talk specifically to the Ministers that we deal with, outlining what our issues are.”

KDSB will see the departure of Lif as well, effective the end of May. Announcing his retirement in August, the new board will have to learn along with a new CAO.

Lif says he is taking on a volunteer role with the Northwest Local Health Integration Network as part of their Integration Leadership Council.

KDSB will have its first official meeting of the new board on January 13 and elections for chair will take place at that time.

By Ally Dunham