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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.