FOURTH MEETING OF THE
2009 BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE
CANADA ROOM,
DECEMBER 1, 2008
MINUTES
|
Budget
Sub-Committee: Mayor F. Scarpitti Deputy Mayor J. Heath Regional Councillor J. Jones Regional Councillor T. Wong Councillor V. Burke Councillor E. Shapero Councillor J. Virgilio (1:40 p.m.) Councillor J. Webster Councillor C. Moretti Councillor D. Horchik, Chair Councillor L. Kanapathi Councillor A. Chiu Regrets: Regional Councillor G. Landon |
Staff J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services B. Librecz, Commissioner of Community and Fire Services S. Laing, Director, Human Resources J. Lustig, Director of Financial and Client Services D. Taylor, Acting Director, Strategic Initiatives S. Tam, Manager, Business Planning and Innovation A. Tang, Manager, Financial Planning B. Nicholson, Manager of Business & Technical Services J. Kee, Committee Clerk |
The Fourth 2009 Budget
Sub-Committee meeting convened at the hour of 1:05 p.m. with Councillor D.
Horchik in the Chair.
1. STATUS OF THE 2009
OPERATING BUDGET SHORTFALL
Councillor D. Horchik, Chair, reviewed the
status of the 2009 Operating Budget Shortfall.
Members were advised
that following the Budget Sub-Committee meeting of November 24th,
and various adjustments approved, the revised shortfall was now $2.83M, for a
tax rate increase of 2.76%.
2. CONTINUATION WITH THE
REVIEW ON OPTIONS TO
REDUCE THE OPERATING
BUDGET SHORTFALL
Copies of a revised agenda and attachments
were distributed, and Mr. Joel Lustig, Director of Financial and Client Services, provided a brief refresher of
the options to be considered this date to reduce the Operating Budget
Shortfall. Committee was advised that
any additional options individual Members wished to add would be considered following
the consideration of the options presented by staff.
There was some discussion regarding “ramp-ups”, and the potential
reduction of services in some areas.
Staff provided details regarding “ramp-up reserves” and explained the
process followed to incrementally increase the funds. It was stressed that there would be no
service level affects whatsoever regarding phase-in of the ramp-ups.
Copies of a summary of other potential
reductions were distributed. Mr. Lustig
noted that the original Operating Budget Shortfall had been $6.73M, with a tax
rate increase of 6.56%, and reviewed the reductions which had been approved at
the November 24th meeting of the Budget Sub-Committee, reducing the
shortfall to $2.83M, and the tax rate increase to 2.76%. Members were advised that the summary sheet
provided contained a list of higher priority items for Committee’s
consideration this date and it was suggested that if these potential reduction
options were approved, the tax rate increase would be reduced to “0%”.
Winter Maintenance - $1.7M increase
costs to be phased-in over 4 years - $1.28M
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti; Seconded by
Councillor L. Kanapathi
That winter maintenance costs in the amount of
$1.7M be phased-in over four (4) years.
CARRIED
Cornell Fire Station Ramp-up – from $0.375M to $0.2M
– A reduction of $0.18M – Staff explained that delaying the opening of the
Cathedral Fire Station by three months (as approved by the Budget Sub-Committee
on November 24, 2008) is independent of the phase-in of the ramp-up for the
Cornell Fire Station.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti; Seconded by
Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the ramp-up for the Cornell Fire Station be
reduced from $0.375M to $0.2M for the year 2009; and
That the funding source for the potential
shortfall when the facility opens not be identified at this time, and
That this action will not affect the planned
opening date of the Cornell Fire Station.
CARRIED
CSIO (Canadian Sports Institute
Moved by Councillor A, Chiu; Seconded by
Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the CSIO Ramp-up be reduced from $0.3M to
$0.2M.
CARRIED
Trees for Tomorrow – Staff provided
details of the status of the Budget for the Trees for Tomorrow initiative for
2008 and projected funding for 2009, and also provided details of its four
separate projects, including the staff and community programs. Committee requested clarification on the
program, details of the status of the funding, and the plan for 2009, and asked
that staff report back at the next meeting of the Budget Sub-Committee.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones;
Seconded by Mayor F. Scarpitti
That the “top-up” for the Trees for Tomorrow reserve
fund (Capital Project #9197) be reduced from $0.1M to “$0”.
CARRIED
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones;
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That staff be requested to report back to the
next meeting of the Budget Sub-Committee with a short report on the status and
funding details of the Trees for Tomorrow Program.
CARRIED
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Committee recessed at
the hour of 3:01 p.m. and reconvened at the hour of 3:14 p.m.
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Achieve Cost Recovery for the Existing Cashier
from PowerStream - $0.02M
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones;
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That staff be directed to achieve cost
recovery for the existing cashier from PowerStream.
CARRIED
Winter Road Guide & Map, and Parks and
Pathways Map to be Available Online - $0.02M – Members were advised that these
publications are being phased out and being placed on the Town’s website. It was suggested that these publications be
included in a smaller format in the Town’s annual calendar starting with the
2010 calendar, as the 2009 calendar has gone to print. Staff will also consider placing the
publications in the Recreation Guide, and look into the feasibility of
sponsorships to fund the costs.
Moved by Councillor E. Shapero; Seconded by
Councillor A. Chiu
That the Operating Budget be reduced to $0.02M
for 2009 on the basis that the publications are being put online; and
That staff be directed to investigate other
creative opportunities and sponsorships and report back.
CARRIED
Additional Investment Income - $0.31M – Staff
advised that the investment income budget could be increased by $0.31M in 2009
and sustainable into 2010.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti; Seconded by
Deputy Mayor J. Heath that staff be directed to
include the additional investment income of
$0.31M in the 2009 Operating budget.
CARRIED
MESF – To Achieve a Base Amount of $0.11M – Staff provided
clarification regarding the status of the current funds in the 2008 MESF
budget. It was suggested that the
proposed top-up amount be $0.12M to achieve a level of $0.30M.
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong; Seconded
by Councillor E. Shapero
That the Markham Environmental Sustainability
Fund (MESF) be topped-up by $0.12M to the level of $0.30M.
CARRIED
CSIO (Canadian Sports Institute Ontario) – (Additional
Consultant Funds, if required, to be Funded from Corporate/Capital Contingency)
- $0.10M – Committee raised the matter of thermal and geo-thermal power, and
staff advised that a report and analysis is being prepared for presentation to
Council in the next couple of months.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu; Seconded by
Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the CSIO Consultant funds of $0.10M be
reduced to $0 (Capital Project #9343), and
That additional CSIO consultant funds, if
required, be funded from Corporate/Capital Contingency.
CARRIED
Preparation of Energy Grant Applications – to be done by
internal staff - $0.05M
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti; Seconded by
Councillor C. Moretti
That the budget for the preparation of the energy
grant applications be reduced by $0.05M, and that internal staff be directed to
prepare the forms in 2009.
CARRIED
Bird Collision Study & Implementation – $0.15M – The Study
in the amount of $0.05M be funded from Development Charges, and the
implementation to be determined after completion of the Study. Committee expressed concern that monies for
the retrofit of current facilities would not be spent in 2009, and staff
advised that the study and remedial measures would be undertaken in 2009. The importance of outreach to the business
community was also raised.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti; Seconded by
Councillor J. Virgilio
That the budget for the Bird Collision
Implementation be reduced from $0.1M to $0 (Implementation will be determined
after completion of the Study); and
That the Study, in the amount of $0.05M be
funded from Development Charges, and
That staff be requested to investigate options
regarding the feasibility of Life Cycle funding.
CARRIED
Elimination of Trip to
Corporate Wide Expenditure Reductions - $0.41M – The Chair
advised that this matter would be referred to the next Budget Sub-Committee
meeting.
3 NEXT STEPS
The Chair advised that staff will provide a
full update on the status of the 2009 Operating Budget Shortfall, including
reductions approved this date, at the next meeting, which is scheduled for:
Monday, December 8, 2008
2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Canada Room,
Those Members wishing to add further items
would be able to do so at that time, and if time permits, Committee will
continue with the review of the Capital Budget.
ADJOURNMENT
The fourth Budget Sub-Committee meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m.