MINUTES - Budget Committee - 20191125
Town of Aurora
Budget Committee Meeting Report
2020-22 Operating Budget Review
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Monday, November 25, 2019
Attendance
Council Members Mayor Mrakas in the Chair; Councillors Gallo, Gilliland (departed
at 7:44 p.m.), Humfryes, Kim, and Thompson
Members Absent Councillor Gaertner
Other Attendees Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer, Robin McDougall,
Director of Community Services, Techa van Leeuwen, Director of
Corporate Services, Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director of
Finance, Allan Downey, Director of Operations, David Waters,
Director of Planning and Development Services, Stephanie
Mackenzie-Smith, Manager of Corporate Communications, Jason
Gaertner, Manager of Financial Management Services, Michael de
Rond, Town Clerk, Ishita Soneji, Council/Committee Coordinator
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Budget Committee consented to recess the meeting at 8:07 p.m. and reconvened the
meeting at 8:18 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Budget Committee approved the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services,
including the following addition:
• Item 3 – FS19-046 – 2020 Budget Committee Additional Information
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Monday, November 25, 2019 Page 2 of 6
2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
Prior to the discussion of Item 1(a) – Central York Fire Services 2020-22 Operating
Grant, Councillor Humfryes declared a pecuniary interest under the Municipal
Conflict of Interest Act as a family member is employed by Central York Fire
Services.
3. Delegations
None
4. Consideration of Items
1. 2020-22 Operating Budget – Business Plans and Presentations
(a) Central York Fire Services 2020-22 Operating Grant
Fire Chief Ian Laing presented an overview of the 2020-22 operating grant
request for the Central York Fire Services highlighting details of the 2020
wages and benefits, three-year budget forecast, 2020 capital budget
breakdown, key pressures, and 2020-22 operating expenses.
Budget Committee recommends:
1. That the presentation by Central York Fire Services be received; and
2. That the request for 2020-22 operating grant to the Central York Fire
Services in the amounts of $11,755,300, $12,200,100, and
$12,613,600, which includes an annual allocation of $6,000 for snow
clearance for 2020, 2021, and 2022 respectively be tentatively
approved.
Carried
(b) Aurora Historical Society Board 2020-22 Operating Grant
Mr. John Green, President, Aurora Historical Society (AHS) introduced Ms.
Patricia Wallace, AHS Board Secretary, and former mayor Mr. Geoff Dawe,
AHS Board Director and extended appreciation to the Town for its
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Monday, November 25, 2019 Page 3 of 6
continued support. Mr. Dawe provided a brief overview of the AHS strategic
plan noting that the society is working towards redeveloping and improving
the plan.
Ms. Wallace presented an overview of the vision, mission, and values of the
Aurora Historical Society, including 2019 highlights, program successes,
current funding sources, key performance metrics, 2020 partnership goals,
and breakdown of the proposed 2020-22 grant request and allocation
including projected revenues, expenses, and key pressures.
Budget Committee recommends:
1. That the presentation from the Aurora Historical Society Board be
received; and
2. That the request for 2020-22 operating grant to the Aurora Historical
Society Board amounts of $81,300, $82,800, and $80,900 for 2020,
2021, and 2022 respectively be tentatively approved.
Carried
(c) Aurora Cultural Centre Board 2020-22 Operating Grant
Budget Committee consented to allow an extension to time for the presentation.
Mr. Eric Acker, President of Board of Directors, introduced Aurora Cultural
Centre Board Members present at the meeting, extended appreciation to
the Town, and introduced Ms. Suzanne Haines, Executive Director, Aurora
Cultural Centre.
Ms. Haines presented an overview of the vision, mission, and values of the
Aurora Cultural Centre, 2019 program successes including details on the
Kaleidoscope in Schools program, summer outreach and education
programs, community events, and the volunteer program. She provided a
detailed breakdown of the 2020-22 operating grant request including
projected revenues, expenses, grant allocation, and additional 2020-22
operating pressures.
Budget Committee recommends:
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Monday, November 25, 2019 Page 4 of 6
1. That the presentation and the business plan from the Aurora Cultural
Centre Board be received; and
2. That the request for the 2020-22 operating grant to the Aurora Cultural
Centre Board in the amounts of $424,000, $432,500, and $441,100 for
2020, 2021, and 2022 respectively be tentatively approved.
Carried
(d) Aurora Sports Hall of Fame 2020-22 Operating Grant
Mr. David Thom, President, Aurora Sports Hall of Fame, presented an
overview of the mission, vision, and values of the Aurora Sports Hall of
Fame, 2019 Hall of Fame induction celebration, and provided a breakdown
of the 2020-22 operating grant request and grant allocation.
Recommended:
1. That the presentation from the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame be received;
and
2. That the request for the 2020-22 operating grant to the Aurora Sports
Hall of Fame in the amounts of $28,700, $29,300, and $29,900 for
2020, 2021, and 2022 respectively be tentatively approved.
Carried
(e) Operational Services
Mr. Al Downey, Director of Operational Services, presented an overview of
the 2020-22 Operational Services business plan, highlighting the
department functions, 2019 successes, challenges, 2020-22 objectives, key
pressures, and changes and requests for the 2020-22 departmental budget.
Budget Committee recommends:
1. That the presentation by Al Downey, Director of Operational Services,
be received; and
2. That the 2020-22 Operating Budget for the Operation Services
department as presented be tentatively approved.
Carried
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(f) Water and Sewer Budget
Mr. Al Downey, Director of Operational Services, presented an overview of
the 2020-22 water, wastewater, and stormwater budget highlighting details
on the guiding principles, expenses, regional costs, contributions made to
reserves to support asset sustainability, and the proposed water,
wastewater, and stormwater rates for 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Budget Committee recommends:
1. That the presentation by Al Downey, Director of Operational Services,
be received; and
2. That the 2020-22 Operating Budget for the Water and Sewer as
presented be tentatively approved.
Carried
(g) Planning and Development Services
Mr. David Waters, Director of Planning and Development Services,
presented an overview of the 2020-22 Planning and Development Services
business plan, highlighting the department functions, 2019 successes,
challenges, 2020-22 objectives, key pressures, and changes and requests
for the 2020-22 departmental budget.
Budget Committee recommends:
1. That the presentation by David Waters, Director of Planning and
Development Services, be received; and
2. That the 2020-22 Operating Budget for the Planning and Development
Services department as presented be tentatively approved.
Carried
(h) Corporate Revenues and Expenses
Ms. Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director of Finance, presented an
overview of the 2020-22 Corporate Revenues and Expenses budget
highlighting the key pressures, changes in the budget from 2020 to 2022,
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Monday, November 25, 2019 Page 6 of 6
and provided details on the proposed Library Square debt funding strategy
and additional operating pressures for the Aurora Cultural Centre.
Budget Committee recommends:
1. That the presentation by Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director of
Finance, be received; and
2. That the 2020-22 Operating Budget for the Corporate Revenues and
Expenses as presented be tentatively approved.
Carried
2. FS19-045 – 2020-22 Operating Budget Decision Unit Items
Budget Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. FS19-045 be received; and
2. That the remaining incremental Aurora Cultural Centre 2020, 2021, and
2022 budget pressures be funded from existing budgeted Library Square
funding; and
3. That a further 0.5 % tax levy increase for 2020 and 2021 in support of the
Town’s planned Library Square construction debenture, be approved; and
4. That the Library Square debenture annual carrying cost funding be
contributed to the Tax Rate Stabilization reserve until such time that it is
required for its intended purpose.
Carried
3. FS19-046 – 2020 Budget Committee Additional Information
Budget Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. FS19-046 be received for information.
Carried
5. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m.