MINUTES - General Committee - 20091026
TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
BUDGET & PUBLIC CONSULTATION
NO. 09-24
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Monday, October 26, 2009
ATTENDANCE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mayor Morris in the Chair; Councillors Buck, Collins-
Mrakas, Gallo, Gaertner, Granger, MacEachern,
McRoberts and Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT None
OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Town Solicitor/Acting
Town Clerk, Director of Building, Director of Planning
& Development Services, Director of Public Works,
Director of Corporate and Financial Services/
Treasurer, Director of Leisure Services, Chief
Executive Officer and Secretary Treasurer - Aurora
Public Library, and Council/Committee Secretary
Mayor Morris called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
I DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
II APPROVAL OF AGENDA
General Committee recommends:
THAT the agenda as circulated by the Corporate Services Department be
approved:
CARRIED
III DELEGATIONS
(a) Mr. Neil Garbe, Chief Administrative Officer and
Mr. Dan Elliott, Director of Corporate and Financial Services/Treasurer
Re: 2010 Budget Overview
Mr. Neil Garbe, Chief Administrative Officer, provided a brief introduction and
overview of the projected Budget forecast for 2010 currently set at a 4.85%
Aurora tax rate increase, which would amount to a 1.6% blended impact. Mr.
Garbe advised that this budget has already been thoroughly reviewed and
reduced dramatically by the Director of Corporate and Financial
Services/Treasurer with the assistance of the Executive Leadership Team.
Special General Committee Meeting Minutes
Budget & Public Consultation - Monday, October 26, 2009
Page 2 of 3
Mr. Dan Elliott, Director of Corporate and Financial Services/Treasurer, provided
background information regarding some of the areas that have been reviewed
and reduced within the 2010 Budget. Mr. Elliott reviewed various major factors
that significantly impact the 2010 budget forecast, including, but not limited to;
the new legislated requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with
Disabilities Act; current economic climate; corporate restructuring initiatives;
escalating salaries and benefits pressures; increase in cost of fire and
emergency services; and several other factors impacting on the 2010 Budget.
PUBLIC OPEN SESSION - Opportunity for members of the public to
provide input regarding the 2010 budget
Mr. Klaus Wehrenberg
Mr. Wehrenberg addressed General Committee to express his interest in the budget
process with respect to the existence or establishment of appropriate funding reserves
for the purpose of procuring lands to construct future trail systems and environmental
preservation initiatives, and to fund related infrastructure and the ongoing maintenance
of existing trails and natural assets owned by the Town of Aurora.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the comments of the delegate be received for information.
CARRIED
Ms Louise Procter-Maio, Chief Executive Officer and
Secretary Treasurer - Aurora Public Library
Ms Procter-Maio advised that the projected increase is 6.65% for the Library. If growth
assessment were applied, the increase would be reduced to 4.15% after the growth
factor has been applied.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the comments of the delegate be received for information.
CARRIED
IV CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
1. FS09-043 - Draft 2010 Business Plan with Operating and Capital Budgets -
Overview Report
General Committee recommends:
THAT this report and accompanying presentation be received as an
overview of the 2010 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budgets;
and
THAT the detailed departmental Draft Operating and Capital Budgets be
reviewed at Special Council meetings scheduled during October and
November 2009.
CARRIED
Special General Committee Meeting Minutes
Budget & Public Consultation - Monday, October 26, 2009
Page 3 of 3
V ADJOURNMENT
General Committee recommends:
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
CARRIED
THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING 09-24 WAS
CONSIDERED AND APPROVED BY COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY,
NOVEMBER 10, 2009.
_______________________________ ________________________________
PHYLLIS M. MORRIS, MAYOR CHRISTOPHER C. COOPER
ACTING TOWN CLERK