FOURTH MEETING OF THE
2007 BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE
TOWN OF
Canada Room,
MINUTES
|
Budget Sub-Committee Councillor D. Horchik, Chair Regional Councillor J. Heath Regional Councillor T. Wong Councillor V. Burke Councillor J. Webster Councillor L. Kanapathi Councillor A. Chiu Mayor F. Scarpitti - Ex Officio Councillor J. Virgilio Councillor C. Moretti |
Staff J. Livey, Chief
Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services J. Sales, Commissioner of
Community & Fire Services A. Taylor, Commissioner of
Corporate Services B. Cribbett, Treasurer J. Lustig, Director of
Financial and Client Services D. Taylor, Director,
Strategic Initiatives F. Wong, Manager, Financial
Planning G. Taylor, Manager,
Facilities D. Gadjanov, Senior Financial
Analyst S. Skelcher, Senior Financial
Analyst J. Kee, Committee Clerk |
The fourth 2007 Budget Sub-Committee meeting
convened at the hour of
1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF
BUDGET
SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING #3 OF
To ensure that all directions of the Budget Sub-Committee and all commitments made by staff noted in the minutes are more prominent and followed up, staff was requested to provide a summary of outstanding items.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the
minutes of the Budget Sub-Committee meeting of
CARRIED
2. 2007 CAPITAL
BUDGET – APPROVAL TO PRESENT
AT BUDGET
BREAKFAST
Mr.
Joel Lustig, Director of Financial and Client Services, reviewed the proposed 2007
Capital Budget to date in the amount of $91.242M. A complete listing, including the Capital
Funding Request Forms for New Projects was also presented. The Chair provided details relating to each
of the new included Capital items, as follows:
- tree planting initiatives – (full report will be presented to General Committee in Spring, 2007)
- bike routes & pathways
- additional funding for
- Economic Competitiveness – ICI
Intensification Study
- Agriculture Activity and Policy
- Planning Project management
- MTPS Transportation Model Update
3. 2007
OPERATING BUDGET – APPROVAL TO PRESENT
AT BUDGET
BREAKFAST
The
Director of Financial and Client Services reviewed the proposed 2007 Operating
Budget to date, detailing revenues and expenditures. The projected shortfall/tax rate increase to
date is $3.59M and 3.97% respectively. Members
discussed other possible sources of revenues, including PowerStream, and the Life Cycle Replacement and Capital
Reserve.
The Director
noted that the following three items have not been included in the Operating
Budget at this time, which would increase the proposed tax rate to 4.59% for
2007:
- Turf maintenance program (5-year phase-in)
- Recreation Re-organization (4-year phase-in)
- Auditor General position
Members discussed the potential impact of the proposed tax rate, and staff advised that the dollar increase on an average household would be in the range of $40-$46. The importance of providing necessary services to the community both now and in the future was emphasized, and concern was expressed regarding the impact of decreasing revenues from non-tax sources such as development charges. Other matters including comparisons with proposed tax rates of other municipalities, and the cost of living/inflation rate were also raised. The Committee discussed measures that could reduce the financial impact of the proposed three initiatives to the 2007 Budget, including: further phase-ins, ramping up, or the re-allocation of funding for the Auditor General position.
It was agreed that the 2007 Capital and Operating Budgets, with a proposed tax rate increase of 4.59%, would be presented to the public at the Budget Breakfast on April 16. Information packages would be forwarded to attendees in advance, and details will be provided at the meeting regarding the three additional items.
Staff was requested to consider options to reduce the shortfall, if such was the outcome of the Budget Breakfast, and these would be considered along with the other feedback at the April 23rd Budget Sub-Committee meeting.
4. OPTIONS FOR
INCORPORATING COUNCILLOR REQUESTS
INTO FUTURE
BUDGET DISCUSSIONS
The
Director of Financial and Client Services presented options for incorporating
Councillor Requests into future budget discussions:
1)
Councillor Requests due in May; staff summarize and prepare responses to
General Committee in May/June; General Committee review and approval to be
included in the budget process; or
2)
No change to current process
Staff
advised that Option 1, which would integrate Councillor Requests with the
Business Unit planning process, that is conducted during the summer and early
fall, would also provide more time for evaluation and analysis. During the discussion that followed, it was
suggested that many of the Councillor Requests relate to current programs,
expanded programs, or new initiatives.
It was noted that the proposed date of May could be changed, however, it
would be beneficial if requests for large items were received before the summer
break. Staff pointed out that throughout
the year, direction from Council is received on a number of initiatives, and these
are incorporated into the BUP process. Committee
advised that there are often many political components to the Councillor
Requests, and it was suggested that it might be beneficial to place a financial
limit on them.
It was agreed that a decision was not required at this time, and more discussion at a later time on would be useful. In the interim, staff was requested to send out notices to Members of Council prior to key dates during the BUP process asking for Councillor Requests.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the presentation of the Director of Financial and Client Services regarding options for incorporating Councillor Requests into future budget discussions be received.
CARRIED
5. NEXT STEPS
Committee reviewed the proposed schedule of up-coming meetings.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the following information be presented at the Budget Breakfast:
- Proposed 2007 Property Tax Rate Increase of 4.59%
- Proposed 2007 Operation Budget $151.8M
- Proposed 2007 Capital Budget $91.2M
- Proposed 2007 Waterworks Budget $50.1M
- Proposed 2007 Building Services Budget $8.0M
And that the following schedule of meetings be confirmed:
- Budget
Breakfast – Monday, April 16th (
- Additional
Budget Sub-Committee Meeting – Monday, April 23rd. (Canada Room
- General Committee – Monday, April 30th – Recommend Budget to Council
- Council Approval of 2007 Budget – Tuesday, May 8th.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The fourth 2007 Budget Sub-Committee meeting adjourned
at