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MINUTES - Finance Advisory Committee - 20171012 Town of Aurora Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Date: Thursday, October 12, 2017 Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall Committee Members: Councillor Michael Thompson (Chair), Councillor Harold Kim, and Mayor Geoffrey Dawe Member(s) Absent: None Other Attendees: Dan Elliott, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer, Jason Gaertner, Manager, Financial Planning, and Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Secretary The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. 1. Approval of the Agenda Moved by Mayor Dawe Seconded by Councillor Kim That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved. Carried 2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 12, 2017 Page 2 of 4 3. Receipt of the Minutes Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 27, 2017 Moved by Councillor Kim Seconded by Mayor Dawe That the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of September 27, 2017, be received for information. Carried 4. Delegations None 5. Consideration of Items 1. Walkthrough of the Online 2018 Citizen Budget Survey Staff provided an online demonstration of the Town’s 2018 Citizen Budget Survey at aurora.citizenbudget.com, noting that the primary purposes of the Survey are to educate residents on the Town’s services and obtain feedback from residents on their priorities as to where they would like to see public funds focussed. The Committee discussed various aspects of the Survey and acknowledged the challenges of engaging citizens to participate in the Budget process. Moved by Mayor Dawe Seconded by Councillor Kim 1. That the Walkthrough of the Online 2018 Citizen Budget Survey be received for information. Carried Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 12, 2017 Page 3 of 4 2. Memorandum from Director of Financial Services/Treasurer Re: Round Table Discussion: 2018 Operating Budget Pressures Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum and attachments regarding the key 2018 Operating Budget pressures that are addressed within staff’s recommended draft budget, resulting in a total tax levy increase of 2.9%, and the list of Council budget decision options over and above staff’s recommended draft Budget. The Committee discussed various aspects including Budget presentation options, phase-in of the new provincial labour legislation (Bill 148), departmental key pressures and lost revenue, and a policy/principles-based framework under which third-party funding arrangements would be governed. Moved by Councillor Kim Seconded by Mayor Dawe 1. That the memorandum regarding Round Table Discussion: 2018 Operating Budget Pressures be received for information; and 2. That the comments and suggestions of the discussion regarding the 2018 Operating Budget Pressures be received and referred to staff for consideration and action as appropriate; and 3. That the Finance Advisory Committee endorse the practice of using the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund to balance the Budget; and 4. That staff provide a report on the development of a policy/principles- based framework under which third-party funding arrangements would be managed. Carried as amended 6. New Business The Committee agreed that the meetings scheduled for October 25, November 22, and December 14, 2017, be cancelled, and that any required meeting would be at the call of the Chair. Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 12, 2017 Page 4 of 4 7. Adjournment Moved by Councillor Kim Seconded by Mayor Dawe That the meeting be adjourned at 8:21 p.m. Carried Committee recommendations are not binding on the Town unless adopted by Council.