MINUTES - Finance Advisory Committee - 20170125
Town of Aurora
Finance Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Time and Location: 5:30 p.m., Leksand Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Michael Thompson (Chair), Councillor Harold Kim
(arrived 5:46 p.m.), and Mayor Geoffrey Dawe
Member(s) Absent: None
Other Attendees: Councillor Wendy Gaertner, Councillor Tom Mrakas, Doug
Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer, Dan Elliott, Director of
Corporate and Financial Services/Treasurer, Jason Gaertner,
Manager, Financial Planning, Karen Oreto, Financial Analyst,
and Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:30 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 Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
3. Receipt of the Minutes
Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, January 25, 2017 Page 2 of 4
Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of July 28, 2016
Moved by Mayor Dawe
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of July 28, 2016, be
received for information.
Carried
4. Delegations
None
5. Consideration of Items
1. 2017 Work Plan for Finance Advisory Committee
Staff briefly reviewed elements of the first proposal of the 2017 Work Plan for
the Committee, and noted that the Work Plan was not all-inclusive and other
items will be added as required.
Moved by Mayor Dawe
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That the 2017 Work Plan for Finance Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
2. 2017 Work Plan for Financial Planning Division
Staff distributed an abbreviated version of the 2017/2018 Budget Work Plan to
the Committee and highlighted various milestones and associated timelines
throughout the year. The Committee inquired about multi-year budgeting,
financial planning in relation to growth projections, and the Town’s financial
system, and staff responded.
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Mayor Dawe
1. That the 2017 Work Plan for Financial Planning Division be received for
information.
Carried
Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, January 25, 2017 Page 3 of 4
3. General Discussion by Committee
Re: Use of Citizen Budget Survey Tool for 2017
Staff provided background on the past use of the Citizen Budget Survey tool.
The Committee expressed support of the concept and suggested that the
questions need to be reframed and more specific to gain better insights. It
was further suggested to consider how to engage citizens, demonstrate the
value, and make it easier to participate. Staff agreed to engage the expertise
of the Manager of Communications and provide feedback to the Committee.
Moved by Mayor Dawe
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. That the comments and suggestions of the discussion regarding continued
use of the Citizen Budget Survey tool be referred to staff for consideration
and action as appropriate.
Carried
4. Distribution and Introduction of Detailed Financial Information
Re: Infrastructure and Environmental Services (IES)
Staff distributed the line-by-line analysis of the final approved 2017 budget for
IES (consolidated and by division) to the Committee, and noted that further
information and explanations would be provided for the highlighted items.
Moved by Mayor Dawe
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. That the detailed financial information for IES be received and referred for
discussion and detailed review at the February 22, 2017 meeting of the
Finance Advisory Committee.
Carried
5. General Discussion by Committee
Re: Topics of Focus for IES Review
The Committee requested that the topics of focus for IES review include snow
removal, utilities, and the capital asset maintenance process and strategy.
Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, January 25, 2017 Page 4 of 4
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Mayor Dawe
1. That the comments and suggestions of the discussion regarding Topics of
Focus for IES Review be referred to staff for consideration and action as
appropriate.
Carried
6. Extracts from Council Meeting of August 9, 2016
Re: Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of July 12, 2016, and
July 28, 2016; and Item 14, CFS16-026 – Budget Allocation 2017 –
Cultural Partners
Moved by Mayor Dawe
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. That the Extracts from Council Meeting of August 9, 2016, regarding the
Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of July 12, 2016, and July
28, 2016, and Item 14, CFS16-026 – Budget Allocation 2017 – Cultural
Partners, be received for information.
Carried
6. New Business
None
7. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Mayor Dawe
That the meeting be adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Carried
Committee recommendations are not binding on the Town unless adopted by Council at a
later meeting.