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March 1, 2005 Minutes COUNTY COUNCIL Tuesday, March 1, 2005 The Elgin County Council met this day at the Administration Building, at 9:04 A.M., in a special meeting to discuss the 2005 County Composite Budget, with all members present except Councillor Vowel (arrived at 9:20 A.M.). Warden Mcintyre in the Chair. Moved by Councillor Faulds Seconded by Councillor Rock THAT we do now move into Committee Of The Whole Council. - Carried. GRANTS Warden Mcintyre indicated the Elgin Federation of Agriculture had contacted him requesting that Council consider a grant for 2005 to promote the plight of Elgin's commodity groups. Councillors noted that 20oA> of employment in Elgin County is involved in agricultural aspects and that farmers have no means to increase what they get paid for their products. Councillors also discussed that awarding the grant may set a precedent for future years and other agencies require funding as much as agriculture. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT in response to a request for financial assistance, the County of Elgin grant $1,500 to the Elgin Federation of Agriculture for the promotion and protection of Agriculture in the County of Elgin; and, THAT said grant be paid out immediately due to the urgency of the matters being considered by the Elgin Federation of Agriculture. Councillor Wilson requested a Recorded Vote. These were recorded as follows: YEAS NAYS ABSENT Warwick Vowel Rock Hofhuis Baldwin Wilson Faulds Acre Mcintyre TOTAL 6 2 - Carried. The grant would be allocated from the Non-Specific Grant line in the budget as it is an extraordinary circumstance. Council requested a motion be prepared to send to the governments outlining the plight of the agricultural industry in Elgin County. Moved by Councillor Rock Seconded by Councillor Wilson THAT, given the extraordinarily difficult economic adversity facing Ontario's farmers, a major economic engine of the Province of Ontario, the County of Elgin register its deep County Council 2 March 1, 2005 concern for the future of agriculture and strongly encourage the Ministers of Agriculture for Ontario and for Canada to move swiftly to address the tremendous financial shortfall faced by farmers to avoid the economic catastrophe certain to befall this vital component of Ontario's economy; and, THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Elgin's member municipalities and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario for support. - Carried Unanimously. The Director of Financial Services reviewed the Grant Requests and Councillors discussed each request on its own merit: Moved by Councillor Faulds Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT grants to the Elgin County Plowmen's Association for $150; St. Thomas-Elgin Art Gallery for $7,500; and St. Thomas-Elgin Second Stage Housing for $4,000 be approved for consideration in the 2005 County Composite Budget. After final review of the 2005 grant requests, the following were approved for consideration in the 2005 County Composite Budget: Shedden Agricultural Society Wallacetown Agricultural Society Rodney-Aldborough Agricultural Society Aylmer & East Elgin Agricultural Society Elgin 4-H Association Tillsonburg & District Multi-Service Centre Quad County Support Services Seniors Picnic St. Thomas-Elgin Art Gallery Non-Specific Town Crier Second Stage Housing YWCA of St. Thomas Elgin Community Nutrition Partnership Elgin County Plowmen's Association TOTAL $ 4,500 4,500 4,500 7,500 2,000 4,200 2,000 2,500 7,500 5,000 2,000 4,000 10,000 5,000 150 $65 350 - Carried. CAPITAL BUDGET The Director of Financial Services noted that needs exceed the Capital Budget requisition by $601,658 and increases with each year. Suggestions were made that staff to carry out the capital items required within the budgeted amount and to find efficiencies to complete all the items. The Capital Budget was agreed to in principle for consideration in the Composite Budget. Councillors noted that delaying the New Sarum Bridge project could accommodate reductions to this budget and the $850,000 project could be considered for removal from budget for this year. Council took a break at 10:25 A.M. and reconvened at 10:40 A.M. REPORTS Reserves ComDarison - Director Of Financial Services The Director of Financial Services noted that there is no standard percentage for Reserves in use across neighbouring Counties. Councillors spoke to the pros and cons of maintaining reserves to an appropriate level and using Capital Reserves, specific to a department, to decrease the budget requisition. County Council 3 March 1, 2005 Moved by Councillor Rock Seconded by Councillor Vowel THAT the report titled "Reserves Comparison" dated February 23,2005, presented by the Director of Financial Services, be received and filed. - Carried. Draft 2005 Budaet - March 1. 2005 Presentation - Director of Financial Services The Director of Financial Services highlighted the changes to the draft budget, noting the Province will be reconciling the CRF revenue for 2003 and an amount of $175,000 has been placed in the budget. The City of St. Thomas recently forwarded increased budget projections for Ontario Works which equates to more than a 10k increase to the budget. Staff pointed out that the Province is funding at a much lower level (280k) than it should be for Land Ambulance. Moved by Councillor Baldwin Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT the report "Draft 2005 Budget - March 1,2005 Presentation" dated February 21, 2005, presented by the Director of Financial Services, be received and filed. - Carried. 2005 PROPOSED COUNTY COMPOSITE BUDGET The Director of Financial Services highlighted the lines where increases occurred for other than salary and benefit items. Council questioned the WSIB Reserve and claims; Ontario Works and Social Services increase; 2004 projected Surplus which historically has been flowing into Reserves or used for priority projects; and the shortfall in road infrastructure spending. Much discussion ensued regarding the application of the prior year's Surplus to projects after the current budget has been set. Councillor Baldwin suggested reducing the WSIB budgeted amount for 2005 to $200,000 and then adding $200,000 from the 2004 surplus to the WSIB Reserve once the audit is completed. He further suggested the 2005 budget increase to the tax rate be limited to 3-40k. The Director of Financial Services was directed to rework the draft budget taking into consideration the suggestions from Council and present the revised figures after lunch. Council recessed at 11 :58 A.M. and reconvened at 12:41 P.M. Moved by Councillor Hofhuis Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT we do proceed In-Camera to discuss personnel matters. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Warwick Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT we do now rise and report. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Faulds Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT the confidential report regarding a contract position be deferred pending receipt of additional information from the Foundation for Rural Living. - Carried. County Council 4 March 1, 2005 Moved by Councillor Rock Seconded by Councillor Vowel THAT on an annual basis, beginning January 2005, the Warden and the Council wages be adjusted by the same percentage as is determined for non-union staff and the relevant policy be amended. - Carried. CORRESPONDENCE Corresoondence for Consideration 1. Duncan McPhail, Chair, Elgin County Land Division Committee, requesting reconsideration of the recently approved Land Division Committee Stipend. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #1 : Moved by Councillor Warwick Seconded by Councillor Baldwin THAT Correspondence Item #1 be received and filed. - Carried. Corresoondence for Information (Consent Aaendal 1. AMO News Release "Plan to Replace $656 Million Community Reinvestment Fund Appears to Leave Province's Bills Unpaid in 2004. 2. AMO Member Communication Alert "Premier Commits to Reconsidering CRF Decision. 3. Municipalities Make Gains in Federal Budget. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Items #1-3: Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Rock THAT Correspondence Items #1-3 be received and filed. - Carried. DRAFT 2005 BUDGET The Director of Financial Services presented budget recalculations resulting in a decreased levy requirement as requested previously for Council's review. One option resulted in a 4.1 ok increase to the tax rate; the second option resulted in a 3.620k increase to the tax rate; and a third option resulted in a 30k increase to the tax rate. Councillor Baldwin noted information may be forthcoming prior to the March 8th meeting regarding an additional surplus to be paid to the County from a local Board. Moved by Councillor Rock Seconded by Councillor Hofhuis THAT the 2005 County Composite Budget be approved representing a tax rate increase of 30k over 2004 rates. County Council 5 March 1, 2005 Councillor Rock requested a Recorded Vote. These were recorded as follows: YEAS NAYS ABSENT Warwick Vowel Rock Hofhuis Baldwin Wilson Faulds Acre Mcintyre TOTAL 4 5 0 As a result of the Recorded Vote the Motion was Defeated. Moved by Councillor Warwick Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT Line 25, Reserve For WSIB, be reduced by $200,000 and that an equivalent amount from the 2004 Surplus be applied to cover the expected 2005 expenditures; and, THAT Line 22, Grants, be reduced by $3,350; and, THAT Line 1, Surplus From Prior Year (revenue), be increased by $100,000; and, THAT the resulting 2005 County Composite Budget in the amount of $18,424,203 be approved representing a tax rate increase of 3.620k over 2004; and, THAT the necessary by-law be prepared. Councillor Rock requested a Recorded Vote. These were recorded as follows: YEAS NAYS ABSENT Warwick Vowel Rock Hofhuis Baldwin Wilson Faulds Acre Mcintyre TOTAL 7 2 0 As a result of the Recorded Vote the Motion was Carried. Moved by Councillor Acre Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT we do adopt the recommendations of the Committee Of The Whole Council. - Carried. County Council 6 March 1, 2005 BY-LAWS Moved by Councillor Rock Seconded by Councillor Vowel THAT By-Law No. 05-05 "A By-Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the March 1, 2005 Meeting" be read a first and second time. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Acre Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT By-Law No. 05-05 be read a third time and finally passed. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Rock Seconded by Councillor Vowel THAT we do now adjourn at 2:32 P.M. to meet again at 9:00 A.M. on March 8, 2005. - Carried. Mark G. McDonald, Chief Administrative Officer. James Mcintyre, Warden.