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Winter
Wonderland
Children at the Bar U Ranch near Longview are treated to an early visit by Santa Claus during the annual ‘A Child's Christmas' event Sunday afternoon. The event featured hayrides, stringing popcorn, tobogganing, crafts and much more.
Cameron Schielke is determined to build a snow fort out of ice blocks during the popular ‘A Child's Christmas' event at the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site.
- photos by Lynn Sketchley
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 FCHS/AHSFA present Shakespeare See Arts & Entertainment  Phantoms hoping to host provincials See Sports |
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Headwaters facing a $2 million deficit
By Lynn SketchleyStaff Reporter
Headwaters Health Authority (HHA) announced on Monday it will be expecting a budget shortfall of approximately $2 million in the current fiscal year.
The deficit is being attributed to escalating costs and $750,000 in reduced funding which was announced last month by the provincial government.
To address the anticipated deficit, the board of HHA has approved a plan that will slash expenditures by $900,000 this year.
Board chairman Courtney Rousseau outlined some of the cuts saying administration will bear the brunt of the reductions.
'The first step in the plan will be to achieve administrative efficiencies and other initiatives that do not directly affect front line workers and health services,' said Rousseau.
He added that cost savings are expected in such areas as travel, education and the delay of some major information technology projects.
However, a second step in addressing the deficit will be the possibility of job cuts and a claw back on services.
HHA chief executive officer (CEO) Dave Richardson said, 'As a last resort there will have to be some reduction in staff and services, but these will be limited to services that will have the least impact on residents of the region.'
'For example, a number of rehabilitation therapy positions are vacant and they will not be filled,' he added.
Finally, HHA will attempt to increase revenues where possible from non-government sources. One such source is by implementing increased accommodation charges in long term care which were recently approved by the province. The increased fees will be effective Jan. 1, 2002.
Also, the board will look at what other health regions charge for services and HHA will try and be consistent with other regions.
Richardson said the board reached the budget reduction initiatives through a consultative process with operational level management.
However, the cuts may be still deeper.
The HHA board and executive will hold further business planning meetings and consultations with staff to deal with further funding shortfall next year.
Richardson said he could not elaborate on possible future cuts as the funding targets are not known at this time.
