MINUTES - Finance Advisory Committee - 20200915 1
Town of Aurora
Finance Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
5:45 p.m.
Video Conference
Committee Members: Councillor John Gallo (Chair)
Mayor Tom Mrakas
Councillor Michael Thompson
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
David Waters, Director, Planning and Development Services
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director, Finance
Jason Gaertner, Manager, Financial Management Services
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Procedural Notes
This meeting was held electronically as per Section 19. i) of the Town's
Procedure By-law No. 6228-19, as amended, due to the COVID-19 situation.
The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:50 p.m.
2. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Mayor Mrakas
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
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4. Receipt of the Minutes
4.1 Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2020
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Mayor Mrakas
That the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of March 10, 2020,
be received for information.
Carried
5. Delegations
None.
6. Consideration of Items
6.1 Review of Detailed Financial Budget Information; Re: Planning and
Development Services
The Committee inquired about the impact of COVID-19 on the 2020
budget in relation to applications. Staff provided a response noting that
activity has increased considerably since the standstill in March and a
steady growth in planning application revenues is expected over the next
two to three years while building permit revenues may be challenging.
Moved by Mayor Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That the comments and suggestions of the Review of Detailed
Financial Budget Information for Planning and Development Services
be received and referred to staff for consideration and action as
appropriate.
Carried
6.2 Memorandum from Project Management Office; Re: Town’s Major
Capital Projects Update
Staff provided a brief overview on the status of major capital projects
including Library Square, Fire Hall 4-5, and the Joint Operations Centre
Additional Work. The Committee noted that aspects of the Fire Hall 4-5
project involving soil issues, project delays, and budget contingency usage
of 70% are not mentioned in the update. Staff acknowledged that the next
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update should reflect these project changes. The Committee inquired
about the status of the Library Square tender and staff provided
clarification.
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Mayor Mrakas
1. That the memorandum regarding Town’s Major Capital Projects
Update be received for information.
Carried
6.3 Council Report No. FIN20-015 – 2019 Year-End Budget Report – as at
December 31, 2019
Moved by Mayor Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That Council Report No. FIN20-015 – 2019 Year-End Budget Report –
as at December 31, 2019, be received for information.
Carried
6.4 Audit Committee Report No. FIN20-016 – 2019 Audited Financial
Statements with Audit Report
Moved by Mayor Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That Audit Committee Report No. FIN20-016 – 2019 Audited Financial
Statements with Audit Report be received for information.
Carried
6.5 Distribution and Introduction of Detailed Financial Budget
Information; Re: Aurora Cultural Centre (ACC)
Staff noted that a representative of the Aurora Cultural Centre will be
available for the discussion at the next meeting.
Moved by Mayor Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That the detailed financial budget information for the Aurora Cultural
Centre be received and deferred for discussion and detailed review at
the October 13, 2020 meeting of the Finance Advisory Committee.
Carried
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6.6 Updated 2020 Work Plan for Finance Advisory Committee
The Committee inquired about the changes to the work plan and staff
noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact
administratively and some items have been delayed and rescheduled.
Moved by Mayor Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That the updated 2020 Work Plan for the Finance Advisory Committee
be received for information.
Carried
7. New Business
Mayor Mrakas proposed that staff look into reducing the 3.4% tax rate increase,
which was pre-approved through the multi-year budget, down to 2.9% for 2021.
Staff indicated that this goal could be achievable without sacrificing any services
or initiatives that were included last year. Staff provided clarification on how the
Safe Restart one-time funding from the province and any other one-time
operating savings would be managed through 2021 and help to support the 2.9%
goal, while ensuring that any budget pressures are not passed on to future years.
The Committee inquired about the current projected growth numbers and staff
advised that they are now predicting 1.9% for budget development versus the
2.4% increase in assessment growth revenue included last year in the budget for
2021.
New Business Motion No. 1
Moved by Mayor Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That staff be directed to set the annual tax rate increase for 2021 at 2.9% without
any impact on services or planned capital projects.
Carried
8. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Mayor Mrakas
That the meeting be adjourned at 6:22 p.m.
Carried