Mariposa House Hospice will receive a rare contribution to its operating costs from the City of Orillia.
The Severn Township hospice asked council in October for $100,000 over two years to help the non-profit organization, which opened in February, become sustainable.
Council was told at the time it takes up to two years for a residential hospice to “fully develop revenue streams to an adequate level.”
During Thursday’s budget committee meeting, when a $50,000 contribution for 2022 was discussed, there were mixed opinions on the request.
John Henry, the city’s treasurer and chief financial officer, noted Mariposa House Hospice’s financials for 2021 showed excess revenue over expenses of about $250,000, though he couldn’t say what the organization’s situation would be like in 2022.
“I’m philosophically opposed to municipalities providing operating funds to the health-care sector,” Coun. Ted Emond said, noting health care is funded by the province with the help of federal transfers.
Mayor Steve Clarke shared that concern.
“There appears to be times when we are straying more and more away from our actual mandate,” he said, adding the city previously provided the hospice with capital funding of $150,000 over five years.
“I would advise members of council to bear that in mind and think about the precedent we’re setting for other organizations.”
There was talk about inviting hospice officials to present a deputation during the special council meeting on Dec. 6, prior to the budget being ratified, but the city’s procedure bylaw does not allow for that to happen.
Council members considered waiving that bylaw for this purpose but instead decided to provide the $50,000 for 2022.
They were advised they could reach out to the organization to get the information they want before voting on the final budget.
Operating budget discussions wrapped up this week. The capital budget will be discussed next week. All decisions require ratification at a special council meeting Dec. 6.
