01 - January 30, 2024 Budget Committee Meeting MinutesBudget Committee
Minutes
January 30, 2024, 10:30 a.m.
Council Chambers
450 Sunset Drive
St. Thomas ON
Members Present: Warden Ed Ketchabaw, Chair (Committee Member)
Deputy Warden Grant Jones (Committee Member)
Councillor Andrew Sloan (Committee Member - virtual)
Councillor Mike Hentz (Committee Member)
Councillor Mark Widner
Councillor Richard Leatham
Councillor Todd Noble
Staff Present: Blaine Parkin, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk
Nicholas Loeb, Director of Legal Services
Jennifer Ford, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer
Brian Masschaele, Director of Community & Cultural Services
Amy Thomson, Director of Human Resources
Peter Dutchak, Director of Engineering Services
Michele Harris, Director of Homes and Seniors Services
Jenna Fentie, Manager of Administrative Services/Deputy Clerk
Stefanie Heide, Legislative Services Coordinator
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 10:51 a.m. with Warden Ketchabaw in the
chair.
2. Approval of Agenda
Moved by: Deputy Warden Jones
Seconded by: Councillor Hentz
RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the January 30, 2024 Budget Committee
meeting be approved as presented.
Motion Carried.
3. Adoption of Minutes
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Councillor Sloan
RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the Budget Committee meeting held on
November 29, 2023 be adopted.
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4. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
None.
5. Delegations
None.
6. Reports/Briefings
6.1 Director of Financial Services - 2024 Budget Continued
The Director of Financial Services/Treasurer presented the Corporate
Activities budget, a list of discretionary budget items, and the draft budget
document for the Committee's review. The Director also presented
adjustments to the Library, Museum, and Ambulance budgets that were
made since the last Committee meeting.
The Committee discussed the Southwestern Public Health budget and its
effects on the County Budget for 2024, and recommended that County
Council send an advocacy letter urging the Province to meet their 75%
funding obligation. The Committee recommended that no contingency
fund be set up to cover potential additional budget asks.
The Committee reviewed three (3) levy options for the 2024 budget.
The Committee discussed removing memberships for the Federation of
Canadian Municipalities and the Community Schools Alliance.
The Committee discussed referring the requests from the St. Thomas
Elgin General Hospital Foundation for the MRI, the Elgin County Hospice,
the St. Thomas -Elgin Public Art Centre, and SCOR to County Council for
final consideration.
The Committee discussed holding a period of public consultation at the
next Budget Committee meeting.
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones
K
RESOLVED THAT Option # 1 be used as the basis to calculate the
budget levy tax rate increase for 2024; and
THAT the recommended discretionary items be included as presented;
and
THAT no changes to the Ratios or Landfill Grants to West Elgin or Dutton
Dunwich be made for the 2024 Taxation year; and
THAT the final budget book be prepared for presentation to the public; and
THAT the Budget document be posted online for public consultation for a
period of one (1) week, to be followed by a hybrid public consultation
meeting to be held at the next Budget Committee meeting prior to final
presentation to County Council.
Motion Carried.
7.
Other Business
None.
8.
Correspondence
None.
9.
Closed Meeting Items
None.
10.
Motion to Rise and Report
None.
11.
Date of Next Meeting
The Budget Committee will meet again on February 13, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
12. Adjournment
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Councillor Sloan
RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 12:53 p.m. to meet again on February
13, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Motion Carried.
191
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Jenna Fentie,
anager of Administrative
Services/Deputy Clerk.
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VVard4n--Ffd Ketchabaw,
Chair.