06 - December 10, 2020 Budget Committee MinutesCouncil Budget Committee
Meeting Minutes
Elgin County Administration Building
Council Chambers/Webex
December 10, 2020 at 1.00 P.M.
ATTENDEES: Warden Tom Marks (Budget Committee Chair)
Councillor Mary French (Budget Committee Member)
Councillor Ed Ketchabaw (Budget Committee Member)
Councillor Dominique Giguere (Budget Committee Member)
Jim Bundschuh, Director of Financial Services
Julie Gonyou, Chief Administrative Officer
Brian Lima, Director of Engineering Services
Michele Harris, Director of Homes and Seniors Services
Amy Thomson, Director of Human Resources
Brian Masschaele, Director of Community and Cultural Services
AI Reitsma, Manager of IT
Katherine Thompson, Supervisor of Legislative Services
Jennifer Ford, Senior Financial Analyst
Lisa Czupryna, Senior Financial Analyst
Mathew Waite, Financial Analyst
Carolyn Krahn, Legislative Services Coordinator
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Council Budget Committee met this loth day of December, 2020 in the
Council Chambers, at the County Administration Building, St. Thomas at 1.09
p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Moved by: Councillor Ketchabaw
Seconded by: Councillor Giguere
RESOLVED THAT the agenda be approved as presented.
Recorded Vote
Yes No
Councillor French I Yes
Councillor Gi uere
Yes
Councillor Ketchabaw
Yes
Warden Marks
Yes
4
0
- Motion Carried.
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Moved by: Councillor French
Seconded by: Councillor Ketchabaw
RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the meeting held on November 24, 2020 be
approved.
Recorded Vote
Yes
No
Councillor French
Yes
Councillor Giguere
Yes
Councillor Ketchabaw
Yes
Warden Marks
Yes
4
0
- Motion Carried.
4. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
5. DELEGATIONS
None.
6. BRIEFINGS AND REPORTS
6.1 Elgin County Info -Tech Membership — Manager of IT
The Manager of IT presented more information on the proposed Info -Tech
Membership including impact on key Elgin County objectives, a sample
Info -Tech engagement plan, membership recommendations, and
membership fees.
Moved by: Councillor Giguere
Seconded by: Councillor Ketchabaw
RESOLVED THAT the Budget Committee recommend that the Info -Tech
Membership be included in the 2021 Budget.
Recorded Vote
Yes
No
Councillor French
Yes
Councillor Gi uere
Yes
Councillor Ketchabaw
Yes
Warden Marks
Yes
4
0
Motion Carried.
6.2 White Station Operations Centre — Director of Engineering Services
The Director of Engineering Services provided information regarding the
history and current status of the Whites Station Operations Centre to
assist the Committee in making a recommendation to Council regarding
the future use and required maintenance of the property or the potential
divestment of the property.
Moved by: Councillor French
Seconded by: Councillor Giguere
RESOLVED THAT the Director of Engineering Services present a report
regarding the options for Whites Station to County Council with Budget
Committee recommendations, which include the development of a three
(3) year plan to either divest the property to Central Elgin or another
interested buyer or to renegotiate the lease agreement with Central Elgin
in order to recover the necessary investments to remediate the property to
the current standards.
Recorded Vote
Yes
No
Councillor French
Yes
Councillor Giguere
Yes
Councillor Ketchabaw
Yes
Warden Marks
Yes
4
0
Motion Carried.
6.3 Budget Steering Committee Meeting #4 Departmental Overview —
Director of Financial Services
The Director of Financial Services provided information on the 2021
Budget process including cost reductions, cost increases/service
enhancements, explanation of increases, taxes, debt financing, use of
surplus, reserves, tax ratios, update on recent changes and upcoming
changes, and new items since the November 9th meeting.
The Committee agreed on the following next steps:
A preliminary average property tax increase of 3.2% for 2021 be proposed
to Council (3.6% for 2022 — 2029 and 2% for 2030 are unchanged);
A debt proposal be developed with a term of 10 years, with approximately
$9 million increase in total debt for the facility asset management plan;
The Committee proposes to Council that $60,000 of the 2020 capital
surplus be used for a Terrace Lodge capital camera project;
Any surpluses not previously allocated be used to supplement the 2021
SRF reserve, with any unused funds at the end of 2021 being used to
reduce 2022; and
Tax ratios for farm and small commercial be left unchanged.
7. OTHER BUSINESS
None.
8. CORRESPONDENCE
None.
9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Committee will meet again on December 12, 2020 at 1.00 p.m.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by: Councillor Giguere
Seconded by: Councillor French
Resolved that we do now adjourn at 3.04 p.m. to meet again on December 12,
2020 at 1.00 p.m.
Recorded Vote
Yes
No
Councillor French
Yes
Councillor Gi uere
Yes
Councillor Ketchabaw
Yes
Warden Marks
Yes
4
0
&Julie Gonyo ,
ef Administrative Officer.
Motion Carried.
j//VtI.
To Marks,
Chair.