Hastings County plans to continue supporting both Centennial Manor in Bancroft and Hastings Manor in Belleville.
This comes after Belleville City Council’s apparent refusal to support the 2018 budget for both of the long-term care centres.
Bancroft Mayor and Hastings County Long-Term Care Chair Paul Jenkins says the budget was passed by a joint committee with representatives from Hastings County, Quinte West and Belleville.
According to Jenkins, the 2018 budget for long-term care centers was higher than in previous years because of new costs as a result of Bill 148. He says that he feels Belleville Council’s decision to reject it seems like more of a lack of understanding than a refusal.
Jenkins says that the passed budgets would see a 0.38% tax levy in Belleville, which is determined by a longstanding weighting assessment model.
He says he wants Belleville on board so they can unite to provide better care for residents in long-term care centres.
Jenkins says that the well-being of residents in long-term care centres is always the number one priority for him and the rest of County Council.
Moose FM reached out to Belleville Mayor Taso A. Christopher for his comment but has yet to receive a response.