01 - January 12, 2021 Budget Committee Agenda Package
Council Budget CommitteeMeeting
Elgin County Administration Building,Council Chambers
January 12, 2021, 1:00 P.M.
Agenda
st
1Meeting Called to Order
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2Approval of the Agenda
rd
3Approvalof the Minutes
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4Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest
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5Delegations – none
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6Briefingsand Reports
1.Presentation – Budget CommitteeMeeting #5
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7Other Business
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8Correspondence – none
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9Date of Next Meeting
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10Adjournment
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Council Budget Committee
DRAFT MeetingMinutes
Elgin County Administration Building
Council Chambers/Webex
December 10, 2020at 1:00 P.M.
ATTENDEES:Warden Tom Marks (Budget Committee Chair)
Councillor Mary French (Budget Committee Member)
Councillor Ed Ketchabaw (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
Al 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
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The CouncilBudget Committeemet this 10day of December, 2020 in the
Council Chambers, at the County Administration Building, St. Thomas at 1:09
p.m.
2. APPROVALOFTHEAGENDA
Movedby:CouncillorKetchabaw
Seconded by: Councillor
RESOLVEDTHATtheagendabeapprovedaspresented.
RecordedVote
YesNo
CouncillorFrenchYes
2
CouncillorYes
CouncillorKetchabawYes
WardenMarksYes
40
- MotionCarried.
3. APPROVALOFTHEMINUTES
Movedby:CouncillorFrench
Seconded by: Councillor Ketchabaw
RESOLVEDTHATtheminutesofthemeetingheldonNovember24, 2020be
approved.
RecordedVote
YesNo
CouncillorFrenchYes
CouncillorYes
CouncillorKetchabawYes
WardenMarksYes
40
- MotionCarried.
4.DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
None.
5.DELEGATIONS
None.
6.BRIEFINGS AND REPORTS
6.1Elgin County Info-Tech Membership – Manager of IT
TheManager 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
Seconded by: Councillor Ketchabaw
3
RESOLVED THAT the Budget Committee recommend that the Info-Tech
Membership be included in the 2021 Budget.
Recor
dedVote
YesNo
CouncillorFrenchYes
CouncillorYes
CouncillorKetchabawYes
WardenMarksYes
40
- MotionCarried.
6.2White Station Operations Centre – Director of Engineering
The Director of Engineering 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 orthe potential divestment
of the property.
Moved by: Councillor French
Seconded by: Councillor
RESOLVED THAT the Director of Engineering Services present a report
regarding the options for Whites Station to County Council withBudget
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.
RecordedVote
YesNo
CouncillorFrenchYes
CouncillorYes
CouncillorKetchabawYes
WardenMarksYes
40
- MotionCarried.
4
6.3Budget Steering Committee Meeting #4 Departmental Overview –
Director of Financial Services
The Director of Financial Servicesprovided 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
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changes, and new items since the November 9meeting.
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 10years, 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 againon12, 2020at 1:00 p.m.
10.ADJOURNMENT
Moved by: Councillor
Seconded by: CouncillorFrench
Resolved that we do now adjourn at3:04p.m. to meet againon 12,
2020 at1:00 p.m.
5
RecordedVote
YesNo
CouncillorFrenchYes
CouncillorYes
CouncillorKetchabawYes
WardenMarksYes
40
- MotionCarried.
______
JulieGonyou,TomMarks,
ChiefAdministrativeOfficer.Chair.
6
January 12, 2021
Budget Committee # 5
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Budget Presentation
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Jan. 12 Plan Better/(Worse) Dec. 10 Plan
TAXES –
**
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continued
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*Change from Dec 10
USE OF SURPLUS
**
Stabilization Reserve and Growth Reserve
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Millrate
Not yet reviewed are Donations reserves,
In addition to above, there is the previously discussed potential Unallocated COVID reserve/TaxReduction.
Reserves
year plans,
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Forward projects, and establish tax rate
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Steering Meeting to follow up on direction provided by CouncilSteering Meeting to review Capital and Operating ten
Council approval of operating and capital budgets and tax rates
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Feedback from Council MeetingGuidance from Steering Committee
January 12 January 26 including Closed and CarryrecommendationFebruary 9
DISCUSSION
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