The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines

BUDGET STANDING COMMITTEE MINUTES

Monday, June 20, 2016

Committee Chair, Councillor Mathew Siscoe, took the chair and called the meeting to order in Council Chambers at 3:30 p.m.

The Chair requested the Budget Guidance report, Item 6.3, be moved for discussion to later in the agenda due to the late arrival of the Mayor.

Moved By:  Councillor Britton

Seconded By:  Councillor Phillips

That the Budget Standing Committee adopt the agenda, as amended, for the meeting of Monday, June 20, 2016.

Carried as Amended

None were declared.

Moved By:  Councillor Britton

Seconded By:  Councillor Garcia

That the Budget Standing Committee approve the minutes of the meeting held on Monday, May 9, 2016.

Carried

The Chair advised that, during Other Business, he would ask for a report on affordable housing.

Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services, provided an overview of the report regarding the debt management strategy. Ms. Douglas answered questions from the Committee.

Moved By:  Councillor Phillips

That the Budget Standing Committee confirm the City’s debt management strategy:

•         Debt charges be capped at ten percent (10%) of the City’s total own expenditures

•         Annual contribution of ten percent (10%) from the operating budget for debt-funded portion of capital project

•         Debt financing be used for infrastructure related projects; and

That staff be directed to report back, during the next budget cycle, on the financial implications of increasing the annual operating budget contribution to the Capital Budget of 10% to a target rate of 20%, with options to include increases of 1%, 2% and 3% annually.

Carried

Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services, provided an overview of the report regarding the 2016 Capital Budget and Four Year Forecast. Ms. Douglas answered questions from the Committee.

Moved By:  Councillor Haywood

That the report from Financial Management Services dated June 9, 2016, regarding the 2016 Capital Budget be referred to City Council for consideration after the Public Meeting scheduled for August 22, 2016, for which notice will be duly given; and

That the Budget Standing Committee direct that money from the parkland dedication fund be used for upgrades to existing tennis courts, basketball courts and playgrounds, at least one per year; and

That staff be directed to prepare a report regarding the implementation of an $800,000 cap on the parkland dedication fund, any funds in excess of this amount be dedicated for use as a parks renewal fund and on the feasibility of this implementation; and

Further, that a target date of April be set for the 2017 Capital Budget, and thereafter, a first quarter date be set. FORTHWITH

Carried

Councillor Britton wished to be noted as contra to the infrastructure levy.

The Committee now discussed Item 6.4.

Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services, provided an overview of the budget guidance report and answered questions from the Committee.

Moved By:  Councillor Britton

That the Budget Standing Committee receive the multi-year forecasts for information purposes; and

That the Budget Standing Committee support the continuation of the current City practice of zero line-item budgeting; and

That the Budget Standing Committee approve, in principle, staff’s efforts to move toward a service level budgeting method following additional review and a plan of how to achieve this new budgeting method for future budget cycles; and

That the expenditure increase be 1% as guidance to the draft expenditure budget; and

That the Budget Standing Committee direct staff to provide the Committee with the actuals for 2012 to 2015 and the 2016 budget, including graphs of the trend lines; and

Further, that the Budget Standing Committee direct staff to report on revenue projections.

...

Councillor Garcia asked that the motion be voted on separately.

Part One

That the Budget Standing Committee receive the multi-year forecasts for information purposes.

Carried

Part Two

That the Budget Standing Committee support the continuation of the current City practice of zero line-item budgeting.

Carried

Part Three

That the Budget Standing Committee approve, in principle, staff’s efforts to move toward a service level budgeting method following additional review and a plan of how to achieve this new budgeting method for future budget cycles.

Carried

Part Four

That the expenditure increase be 1% as guidance to the draft expenditure budget.

Lost

Part Five

That the Budget Standing Committee direct staff to provide the Committee with the actuals for 2012 to 2015 and the 2016 budget, including graphs of the trend lines.

Carried

Part Six

That the Budget Standing Committee direct staff to report on revenue projections.

Carried

Part Seven

Moved By:  Mayor Sendzik, Amendment

That the expenditure increase be 2% as guidance to the draft expenditure budget.

Carried as Amended

Moved By:  Councillor Phillips

That the Budget Standing Committee approve the additional dates of October 17, November 28 and December 12, 2016, to its meeting schedule.

Carried

The Committee now discussed Item 6.3.

Moved By:  Councillor Siscoe

That the Budget Standing Committee direct staff to prepare a report on the feasibility of affordable housing projects being added to the Community Improvement Program.

Carried

Moved By:  Councillor Britton

That the Budget Standing Committee direct staff to review any and all City buildings that may be surplus facilities and report these to Council pro-actively, and that the list include Robertson Hall, Morningstar Mill, the old Courthouse, and Haig Bowl arena.

Carried

Moved By:  Councillor Haywood

There being no further items of business, this meeting be adjourned at 5:39 p.m.

Carried

Certified Correct:       Confirmed by: