MINUTES - Finance Advisory Committee - 20160322
TOWN OF AURORA
FINANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Date: Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Time and Location: 5:30 p.m., Leksand Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Michael Thompson (Chair), Councillor Harold Kim
(arrived 5:53 p.m.), and Mayor Geoffrey Dawe
Member(s) Absent: None
Other Attendees: Councillor Tom Mrakas, Doug Nadorozny, Chief
Administrative Officer, Al Downey, Director of Parks and
Recreation Services, Dan Elliott, Director of Corporate and
Financial Services/Treasurer, Jason Gaertner, Manager of
Financial Planning/Deputy Treasurer, and Linda Bottos,
Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
1. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE THEREOF
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Moved by Mayor Dawe
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
THAT the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services be approved.
CARRIED
Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 22, 2016 Page 2 of 4
3. RECEIPT OF THE MINUTES
Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 16, 2016
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Mayor Dawe
THAT the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of February 16, 2016, be
received for information.
CARRIED
4. DELEGATIONS
None
5. CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS
1. Memorandum from Treasurer
Re: Departmental Budget Review – Parks and Recreation Services (PRS)
Presentation by Al Downey, Director of Parks and Recreation Services
Mr. Downey presented an overview of the departmental budget for Parks and
Recreation Services for the four main functions of Administration, Business
Support, Recreation, and Culture. He discussed aspects of the consolidated and
detailed budget worksheets and challenges, the business review including
program utilization and subsidies, market and community group pressures,
retention, and residential growth, and new initiatives respecting Culture, a
subsidy program, and the seniors’ discount. The Committee suggested using
program utilization as a key performance indicator going forward to illustrate cost
effectiveness. Staff reviewed the options for next steps and the Committee
indicated areas that would require clarification.
Moved by Mayor Dawe
Seconded by Councillor Kim
THAT the memorandum regarding Departmental Budget Review – Parks and
Recreation Services be received; and
THAT the presentation, comments, and explanations provided by the Director
of Parks and Recreation be received; and
THAT the comments and discussions of the Committee be referred to staff.
CARRIED
Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 22, 2016 Page 3 of 4
2. Review of the BMA Management Consulting Inc. Municipal Study – 2015
Link to full report: http://www.aurora.ca/bma
Presentation by Dan Elliott, Director of Corporate and Financial
Services/Treasurer
Mr. Elliott presented highlights of the BMA Management Consulting Inc.
Municipal Study – 2015 including background, executive summary for the Town
of Aurora, and comparisons related to socio-economic factors, assessment and
housing, and financial indicators. The Committee indicated that context and
comparable community data would be useful. Staff indicated that review of the
Municipal Study would be continued at the next meeting.
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Mayor Dawe
THAT the presentation and comments from the Director of Corporate and
Financial Services/Treasurer be received; and
THAT the comments and discussions of the Committee regarding the BMA
Study and its relevance and use by the Town of Aurora be referred to staff for
consideration.
CARRIED
3. Memorandum from Treasurer
Re: History of Residential/Non-residential Assessment Split
Motion to defer
Moved by Mayor Dawe
Seconded by Councillor Kim
THAT Item 3, Memorandum from Treasurer, Re: History of Residential/Non-
residential Assessment Split, be deferred to the Finance Advisory Committee
meeting of April 19, 2016.
CARRIED
6. NEW BUSINESS
None
Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 22, 2016 Page 4 of 4
7. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Mayor Dawe
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 6:51 p.m.
CARRIED
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE TOWN UNLESS
ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT A LATER MEETING.