MINUTES - Budget Committee - 20190225
Town of Aurora
Budget Committee Meeting Report
2019 Operating Budget Review
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Monday, February 25, 2019
Attendance
Council Members Mayor Mrakas in the Chair; Councillors Gaertner, Gallo, Gilliland,
Humfryes (departed at 9:56 p.m.), Kim, and Thompson
Members Absent None
Other Attendees Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer, Jason Gaertner,
Acting Director of Financial Services, Robin McDougall, Director of
Community Services, Allan Downey, Director of Operational
Services, Anca Mihail, Manager of Engineering, Lawrence Kuk,
Manager of Development Planning, Techa van Leeuwen, Director
of Corporate Services, Cindy Shaver, Communications Specialist,
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk, and Ishita Soneji,
Council/Committee Coordinator
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Budget Committee consented to recess the meeting at 9:03 p.m. and reconvened the
meeting at 9:11 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Budget Committee approved the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services.
Budget Committee Meeting Report – 2019 Operating Budget Review
Monday, February 25, 2019 Page 2 of 5
2. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
Councillor Humfryes declared a pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act with respect to Item 4 – Central York Fire Services 2019 Operating
Grant, as a family member is employed by Central York Fire Services.
3. Delegations
None
4. Public Consultation – Open Session – Opportunity for Members of
the Public to Provide Input Regarding the 2019 Budget
None
5. Consideration of Items
1. Aurora Historical Society Board 2019 Operating Grant
Presentation by Erika Baird, Executive Director/Curator, and John Green,
President
Ms. Baird and Mr. Green presented an overview of the Aurora Historical
Society’s mission and vision, including 2018 highlights, current funding
sources, key performance and financial metrics, revenues, and an overview of
the proposed grant request including details on the Godfrey Collection. The
Committee requested that a line-by-line detailed breakdown of the budget
allocation be provided in the future.
Budget Committee recommends:
1. That the presentation and the business plan from the Aurora Historical
Society Board be received; and
2. That the request for 2019 operating grant to the Aurora Historical Society
Board in the amount of $76,000 be received; and
Budget Committee Meeting Report – 2019 Operating Budget Review
Monday, February 25, 2019 Page 3 of 5
3. That the request for one-time funding assistance for the storage of the
Godfrey Collection, to be provided to the Aurora Historical Society Board
in the amount of $3,500 be received.
Carried
2. Au rora Cultural Centre Board 2019 Operating Grant
Presentation by Karen Johnston, Secretary of the Board of Directors,
and Suzanne Haines, Executive Director, Aurora Cultural Centre
Ms. Johnston extended appreciation to Members of Council on behalf of the
Aurora Cultural Centre Board of Directors and presented an overview of the
Board of Directors mandate, and introduced Ms. Suzanne Haines.
Ms. Haines presented an overview of the vision, mission, and values of the
Aurora Cultural Centre and highlighted details of various programs offered by
the centre, the centre’s volunteer program, and the participation growth over
the years. She provided details on the 2019 objectives and reviewed the
breakdown of the 2019 operating grant requests, including details on the
Kaleidoscope in the Schools program. It was mentioned that the grant request
for Kaleidoscope in the Schools program is a pilot grant request, and
represents the funding to commit for the 2019-2020 school year at $50,000 per
year.
Budget Committee recommends:
1. That the presentation and the business plan from the Aurora Cultural
Centre Board be received; and
2. That the request for one-time grant to the Aurora Cultural Centre Board in
the amount of $100,000 for the Kaleidoscope in the Schools program, be
received; and
3. That the request for the 2019 operating grant to the Aurora Cultural Centre
Board in the amount of $30,400 for base funding increases be received.
Carried
3. Aurora Public Library Board 2019 Operating Grant (Binder Tab 13)
Presentation by Tom Connor, Chair of the Board of Directors, and Bruce
Gorman, Chief Executive Officer, Aurora Public Library
Budget Committee Meeting Report – 2019 Operating Budget Review
Monday, February 25, 2019 Page 4 of 5
Mr. Connor extended appreciation to Members of Council on behalf of the
Aurora Public Library Board of Directors and introduced Mr. Gorman.
Mr. Gorman presented an overview of the library’s key performance indicators
including details on the various circulation methods, increase in in-person
visits, program attendance and participation, and provided details of 2018
highlights, 2019 objectives, and operating grant request. The Committee
requested that a line-by-line analysis of the budget allocation be provided in
the future.
Budget Committee recommends:
1. That the presentation and business plan from the Aurora Public Library
Board be received; and
2. That the request for 2019 operating grant to the Aurora Public Library
Board in the amount of $3,843,100 be received.
Carried
4. Central York Fire Services 2019 Operating Grant (Binder Tab 12)
Presentation by Fire Chief Ian Laing
Chief Laing presented an overview of the 2019 operating grant for the Central
York Fire Services highlighting details of the 2019 wages and benefits
breakdown, 2019 capital budget breakdown, and ten-year capital forecast, and
key pressures. It was mentioned that the budget was within funding targets
and other contributions have increased to meet capital-financing requirements.
Budget Committee recommends:
1. That the presentation by the Central York Fire Services be received; and
2. That the 2019 operating grant to the Central York Fire Services in the
amount of $11,188,100 be approved.
Carried
5. 2019 Operating Budget – Departmental Business Plans
Presentations by Department
Budget Committee Meeting Report – 2019 Operating Budget Review
Monday, February 25, 2019 Page 5 of 5
(a) Planning and Development Services (Binder Tab 9)
Lawrence Kuk, Acting Director of Planning and Development
Services
(b) Corporate Revenues and Expenses (Binder Tab 11)
Jason Gaertner, Acting Director of Financial Services – Treasurer
(c) Water & Sewer Budget (Binder Tab 14)
Al Downey, Director of Operational Services
Jason Gaertner, Acting Director of Financial Services – Treasurer
Budget Committee consented to consider Item 5 – Departmental Business Plans
and Presentations by Department at the Budget Committee Meeting of March 4,
2019.
6. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:14 p.m.