Home Shoreline News Staffing shortages in LTCs means big tax hike for Huron County

Staffing shortages in LTCs means big tax hike for Huron County

The draft budget proposes a 12.46% levy increase for 2023, nearly a third of which covers rising costs for the county's long term care homes

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As Huron County prepares their budget for 2023, one of the challenges they’ll face is rising costs brought on by a shortage of healthcare workers.

Staff have proposed a 12.46% levy increase for 2023, and nearly a third of that (4.08%) is to cover costs for local long term care.

In a report to council Treasurer Michael Blumhagen said provincial funding increases are falling short of what is needed, particularly in the county’s Home for the Aged.

“We’re seeing significant pressures at the homes and just the reliance on agency staff, unfortunately they’re running at a cost of 40 to 50 per cent higher than our existing staff, so it’s a significant pressure and we see that as increase in our budget for the homes,” he said.

The county operates two long term care homes in Brussels and Clinton.

To learn more about this year’s budget connectedcountyofhuron.ca