MINUTES - Committee of the Whole - 19960213II
TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
1996 Budget Review
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, February 13, 1996
5:15p.m.
REP 0 R T N 0. 0 2 -9 6 II
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS
STAFF MEMBERS
Mayor Jones in the Chair; Councillors Griffith, Healy,
McKenzie, Morris, Ochalski, Sorley, Wallace and
Weller.
Chief Administrative Officer, Municipal Clerk,
Director of Planning, Director of Building
Administration, Director of Leisure Services, Director
of Public Works, Fire Chief, Treasurer and Recording
Secretary.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Mayor Jones declared an interest in those portions of the proposed 1996 budget
related to By-law Services by virtue of a personal relationship and did not take part in
or vote on any questions in this regard or attempt in any way to influence the voting
on such questions.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
#1. Moved by Councillor Ochalski Seconded by Councillor Griffith
THAT the content of the Agenda be approved as outlined herein.
CARRIED
PRESENTATIONS
Marc Neeb. Chief Administrative Officer and Barbara Cribbett. Treasurer
re: Overview of 1996 Coroorate Operating and Capital Budgets
The Chief Administrative Officer and Treasurer provided a comprehensive overview of
the Town's proposed 1996 Capital and Operating Budgets. Using slides, the
Committee was taken through a review of the comparable five year tax increases
imposed by the Town, Region and School Boards since 1991; the major budget
changes which have resulted in a total impact of $1.47 million dollars in the Town's
1996 operations and the offsetting response plan proposed by staff which, if adopted,
would result in a zero percent increase to the taxpayers for the sixth consecutive year.
Details on the Provincial transfer grants trends were provided as were specifics on the
funding proposed for the Community Centre addition currently under construction and
the proposal to repay the remaining internally financed debt on the Aurora Town Hall.
Aurora Special Committee of the Whole Report No. 02-96
Tuesday, February 13, 1996
Page 2
The recommended 1 996 Capital Budget was reviewed in detail. Optional programs
and their potential funding sources were also included for the Committee's
consideration. Proposals to create two new stabilization funds to offset impacts
arising from potential future economic uncertainties were explained.
Finally, the Committee was apprised of a number of potential service area reductions
which may require consideration for 1997 resulting from continued financial pressures
and further reductions in provincial transfer payments.
The presentation concluded with a review of the four recommendations provided by
staff which accompanied the 1996 budget documentation.
Verna Ross. Chair -Aurora Public Library Board and Colleen Abbott. Chief
Executive Officer -Aurora Public Library re: 1996 Library Budget Submission
Ms. Verna Ross, Chair of the Aurora Public Library Board formally presented the
Library's proposed budget to the Committee. The measures taken by the Board to
address the Town's budget objectives were outlined. It was suggested that there may
be a future opportunity to consider transferring any expended portions of the Library's
annual budget allocation to a dedicated building fund rather than incorporation of the
funds into the Town's general operating surplus. Ms. Ross requested the favourable
consideration for the budget allocation proposed by the Board of $1.064 million dollars
in 1996.
1996 BUDGET DISCUSSION
Committee members raised a number of points for clarification throughout the course
of the deliberation. Issues respecting the potential for the future incorporation of
service level analysis by program, the intended use of the Community Core Review
Committee's allocation, additional funds proposed for a future crossing guard, vehicle
leasing, allocation of staff between the Public Works and Water components of the
budget, the proposed installation of traffic lights at Yonge and Kennedy Streets, the
proposed creation of the stabilization funds, use of Reserve funds, allocation for funds
for opticom devices for signals at proposed new intersections were all put forward for
discussion. Responses and explanations provided by staff to the matters raised
including addressing the opticom issue prior to the budget being tabled for formal
adoption at the February 28, 1996 Council meeting.
#2. Moved by Councillor McKenzie Seconded by Councillor Ochalski
THAT the Chief Administrative Officer's and Town Treasurer's
recommended 1 996 current and capital budgets requiring a tax levy of
$9.240.763 and resulting in a 0% mill rate increase in the Town's
portion of the property tax, be approved;
THAT a $20,000 "Sand and Salt Stabilization Fund" to be financed from
the 1995 Net Operating Surplus, be approved;
THAT a $60,000 "Development Revenues Stabilization Fund" to be
financed from the 1995 Net Operating Surplus, be approved; and
THAT the creation of a "Public Works Roads Infrastructure Reserve" be
approved and that $1 00,000 be identified as the contribution level in
1996.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Mayor Jones, having previously declared an interest in those portions of the proposed
1996 budget related to By-law Services, placed Deputy Mayor Healy in the Chair and
did not take part in the vote called for in this portion of the proposed budget.
Aurora Special Committee of the Whole Report No. 02-96
Tuesday, February 13, 1996
ADJOURNMENT
#3. Moved by Councillor Griffith
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 6:58p.m.
CARRIED
Page 3
(THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING NO. 02-96
AND THE MEMORANDUM OF TREASURER RE: l996 OPERATING AND CAPITAL
BUDGETS AND AMENDMENTS FOR INSERTION INTO THE 1996 BUDGET BINDERS
IN RELATION TO USE OF THE PHRASE "LEASE/BUY" FOR PROPOSED MOTOR
VEHICLE ACQUISITIONS WERE CONSIDERED AND ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY
COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 28, 19S6)