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MINUTES - General Committee - 20130114 THE TOWN OF AURORA SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE 2013 BUDGET REVIEW MEETING REPORT Council Chambers Aurora Town Hall Monday, January 14, 2013 ATTENDANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mayor Dawe in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Ballard, Buck, Gallo, Gaertner, Humfryes, Pirri, and Thompson MEMBERS ABSENT None OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Customer and Legislative Services/Town Clerk, Director of Corporate and Financial Services/Treasurer, Director of Infrastructure and Environmental Services, Director of Parks and Recreation Services, and Council/ Committee Secretary Mayor Dawe called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. I DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE THEREOF There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. II APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA General Committee recommends: THAT the agenda as circulated by the Customer and Legislative Services Department, with the following additions, be approved: Item 2 - 2013 Operating Budget Discussion Re: Infrastructure and Environmental Services Parks and Recreation Services Delegation (b) Dan Elliott, Director of Corporate and Financial Services/Treasurer Re: Operating Budget Review CARRIED Special General Committee – 2013 Budget Review Meeting Report Monday, January 14, 2013 Page 2 of 4 III DELEGATIONS (b) Dan Elliott, Director of Corporate and Financial Services/Treasurer Re: Operating Budget Review Mr. Elliott presented an overview of the Budget Review activities to date and the 2013 tax rate pressures related to Reserves and the Fire, Library, and CAO/Administration budgets. He further noted the Reserve activity changes and proposed areas and timing for focused budget review including Library funding, staff changes, Reserve activity changes, Cultural Centre funding, and Historical Society funding. General Committee recommends: THAT the comments of the delegation be received for information. CARRIED (a) Jo-Anne Jordan, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Aurora Public Library Re: 2013 Operating Budget – Aurora Public Library Ms Jordan introduced Charles Levine, Chair of the Aurora Public Library Board, to begin their presentation. Mr. Levine acknowledged and thanked members of the Board and staff that were also present. He reviewed the Library’s mission, community value, and 2012 use indicators, noting that over 54% of eligible residents are registered members and that an average of about 100 people visit the Library every hour. Mr. Levine concluded by thanking Ms Jordan for her efforts as Acting Chief Executive Officer. Ms Jordan presented the Library’s 2013 objectives associated with engaging our community, collaborating and partnering, and mobilizing knowledge. She provided an overview of the budget development process, 2013 Budget items, expenditures and revenues, base pressures, and impact of assessment growth. Ms Jordan concluded by noting that the Library is an integral community asset that offers significant value and each dollar invested in the Library is invested in every resident. General Committee recommends: THAT the comments of the delegation be received for information. CARRIED IV PUBLIC CONSULTATION – OPEN SESSION – OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PROVIDE INPUT REGARDING THE 2013 BUDGET Ms Shelley Wister-Smith thanked those Councillors who have made significant effort to question expenditures and who understand the need for fiscal accountability to Aurora taxpayers. She expressed concern regarding the previous year’s Budget increase and the proposed 2013 increase, and hoped that Council would perform its due diligence regarding tax increases. Ms Wister- Smith referred to the Town’s Agreements with the Cultural Centre and questioned whose interests were being represented and why tax dollars were being spent on the Centre. She expressed concern regarding the funds proposed for a new skate board park and suggested that the Town consider instead the possibility of sharing the existing Newmarket facility. Ms Wister- Special General Committee – 2013 Budget Review Meeting Report Monday, January 14, 2013 Page 3 of 4 Smith submitted that the Town should cut back on the wants, not needs, and leave the wants to a time when the economy is thriving and can be afforded. General Committee recommends: THAT the comments of the presentation be received for information. CARRIED General Committee recommends: THAT the Fire Crew Final Phase-in be reduced from $280,400 to $140,200, to be funded with a draw from a reserve(s) to be determined by the Treasurer. CARRIED General Committee recommends: THAT the planned EAB (Emerald Ash Borer) Reserve contribution be funded from a reserve(s) to be determined by the Treasurer. CARRIED V CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS 2. 2013 Operating Budget Discussion Re: Parks and Recreation Services General Committee recommends: THAT the presentation and information provided by Al Downey, Director of Parks and Recreation Services, be received for information. CARRIED General Committee recommends: THAT the 2013 Operating Budget – Parks and Recreation Services be approved as presented. DEFEATED General Committee recommends: THAT the 2013 Operating Budget – Parks and Recreation Services be received for information and referred to final approval of the entire budget by Council. CARRIED General Committee recommends: THAT the 2013 Operating Budget – Aurora Public Library be approved as presented subject to further discussion. CARRIED Special General Committee – 2013 Budget Review Meeting Report Monday, January 14, 2013 Page 4 of 4 VI ADJOURNMENT General Committee recommends: THAT the meeting be adjourned at 10:12 p.m. CARRIED MAYOR GEOFFREY DAWE JOHN D. LEACH, TOWN CLERK THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE – 2013 BUDGET REVIEW MEETING OF JANUARY 14, 2013 WAS RECEIVED BY COUNCIL ON JANUARY 22, 2013.