General Committee – Wednesday, February 8, 7pm (Budget Day 1)
The first day of 2023 Budget Deliberations – Council will be focused on the Operations portion of the budget this evening.
Engage's Follow-up: coming soon!
Minutes: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1061146&GUID=1CB7DA66-E7B3-41BF-8360-F2F0B315761B
Watch Again: https://www.youtube.com/live/Tet6eTCgfw4?feature=share
Agenda: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1061146&GUID=1CB7DA66-E7B3-41BF-8360-F2F0B315761B
📑📊 Staff Reports
💰⚖️ 2023 Business Plan and Budget
HELD by Councillor Harvey
Staff Report: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=11618208&GUID=527A0017-808E-421A-BD09-305E87A41293
The Operating Budget portion will be discussed this evening:
Operating Budget Approvals
1. That the 2023 tax-supported base operating budget, with total gross expenditures of $408.1 million and a net property tax levy requirement of $283.1 million for City Services and Service Partners, be approved with the following amendments to reflect changes since the 2023 Business Plan's publication on January 18, 2023:
a) That $35,000 be added to the 2023 budget for 2022 unspent funds allocated to the Market Precinct project, per Council Motion 22-G-026, to continue the business case development with funding from the Reinvestment Reserve; and
b) That 20 Fire Fighter complement positions be pre-approved as part of the 2023 budget to allow the recruitment process to begin in advance of 2024.
City Services
2. That the 2023 budget request for City Services, with a net tax supported municipal funding requirement of $ 180.0 million (representing a 0.88 % tax rate increase for City services and a 1% increase associated with the Dedicated Infrastructure Renewal Fund), be approved.
3. That the New Investment and Service Recommendations as outlined on page 22 of the 2023 Business Plan with a net cost of $2.7 million (operating) and $13 thousand (capital) and a net property tax levy requirement of $1.3 million with additional funding of $93 thousand from the water rate, $162 thousand from the wastewater rate, $45 thousand from the stormwater rate, $548 thousand from capital projects, and $494 thousand from reserves be approved.
Service Partners
4. That the 2023 budget request from the Barrie Police Services Board presented on page 25 of the 2023 Business Plan, with a net tax supported municipal funding requirement of $63.2 million, be approved.
5. That the 2023 budget request from the Barrie Public Library Board presented on page 25 of the 2023 Business Plan, with a net tax supported municipal funding requirement of $9.4 million, be approved.
6. That the 2023 budget request from the County of Simcoe, including contributions to the County of Simcoe Capital Reserve, presented on page 25 of the 2023 Business Plan, with a net tax supported municipal funding requirement of $27.4 million, be approved.
7. That the 2023 budget request for the remainder of Barrie’s Service Partners presented on page 25 of the 2023 Business Plan, with a net tax supported municipal funding requirement of $3.0 million, be approved.
Councillor Harvey declared a conflict re: the Barrie Police Services Board section of the Service Partners budget – this was dealt with separately.
AMENDMENT by Thomson: To defer consideration of the Barrie Police Services Board 2023 Budget to March 8, 2023
AMENDMENT CARRIED unanimously (Harvey abstained)
AMENDMENT by Thomson: To defer consideration of remaining Service Partner requests to March 8, 2023
AMENDMENT CARRIED unanimously
AMENDMENT by Morales: To increase expense account allocations for the Mayor to $25,000 plus $0.10 per person (currently $0.06 per person), and for Councillors to $5,000 plus $0.10 per person (currently $0.27 per person) – increase to tax levy of $53,245.65
AMENDMENT CARRIED unanimously
AMENDMENT by Harvey: to add the following new investment & service recommendations as tax levy-supported increases: Utility SCADA Specialist, Roads Operations Staff - Growth Lands 2023, Emergency Vehicle Technician, Facilities Project Managers, Waterfront Additional Washroom Cleaning, Marina Boat Storage, Barrie Transit Fare Increase, Barrie Transit Service Reduction Salem and Hewitts – reduction in net cost from $2.7M in operating to $329,358 and reduction to tax levy of $1,432,180
AMENDMENT by Nigussie to add "Summer Weekend Reopening" - increase to Operating of $106,634, increase to tax levy of $106.634
CARRIED, unanimously
AMENDMENT by Thomson to add Technology Analyst and Engineering Contract Administrator, and modify intake form 2798 to add 3 temporary 1-year contract positions (Senior Planner, Transportation Planning Engineer and Risk Management Inspector), totalling $288,000 funded from Reinvestment Reserve, Water Rate and Capital Recovery
CARRIED, unanimously
AMENDMENT by Harvey to add Intake 2768 "MacLaren Art Service Provider Status - Remove from Cultural Grants Program" and 2764 "Barrie Arts Show", resulting in total increase to net operating of $125,000
CARRIED, unanimously
AMENDMENT by Harvey that New Investment and Service Recommendations not approved through the 2023 Budget process by referred back to the Executive Management Team for consideration in 2024
AMENDMENT by Harvey to remove Intake Form 2799 "Economic Development and Tourism Resources" until the Sports Tourism Master Plan is presented to Council
CARRIED unanimously
AMENDMENT by Kungl to add Intake Form 2763, to be funded inside the Operating Budget and considered a temporary position (2 years)
FAILED [For: Nixon, Kungl; Against: Riepma, Courser, Thomson, Nigussie, Harvey, Harris, Morales, Hamilton]
AMENDMENT by Thomson to add Intake Form 2734 "Disability Management Specialist"
CARRIED unanimously
AMENDMENT, as amended, CARRIED unanimously
AMENDMENT, as amended, CARRIED unanimously
AMENDMENT by Kungl - that the Transit Fare Increases in Intake Form 2726 not apply to Seniors, with the reduction of $24,209 in revenue being replaced through a one-time draw on the Reinvestment Reserve
AMENDMENT CARRIED [For: Riepma, Nixon, Kungl, Thomson, Nigussie, Harvey, Harris, Hamilton; Against: Courser, Morales]
AMENDMENT by Harris - that Intake Form 2768 - MacLaren Art Centre - Service Provider Status - Remove from Cultural Grants Program be amended to provide $165,000 funding commitment to the MacLaren, funded by removing $125,000 from the Arts and Culture Investment Fund and the remaining $40,000 from the Reinvestment Reserve
AMENDMENT CARRIED unanimously
AMENDMENT by Hamilton - that $200,000 ($20,000 per ward) in one-time funding be dedicated to support ward-specific initiatives, funded from the Reinvestment Reserve, with the projects being completed & unveiled by December 31, 2025, and staff report back to the Finance and Good Governance Committee concerning an intake and approval process, with Council approval of a process occurring before the 2023 Summer recess
AMENDMENT by Morales - to increase the amount to $250,000 ($25,000 per ward), and correct the committee name to the Finance and Responsible Governance Committee
CARRIED unanimously
AMENDMENT, as amended, CARRIED unanimously
AMENDMENT by Harvey - that $1,850,000 related to salaries and wages for the 2022 Budget year be funded by increasing Salary Gapping by $1,387,500 and $462,500 from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve
AMENDMENT CARRIED unanimously
AMENDMENT by Harvey - That the Stormwater Climate Fund not be approved (deleting paragraphs 10, 11, 17 & 18 of the Staff Report). That the previous funding from the tax levy of $2,822,322 for stormwater operations be added back to the tax base budget, and that Reserve Contribution increases be delayed for a year for Fleet Replacement Reserve ($450,000), WSIB Reserve ($250,000), Legal Contingency Reserve ($130,000) and Landfill Post Closure Reserve ($67,000). That the $200,000 contribution to the Development Charges Discount and Exemption Reserve be reduced to zero, with any total discounts being funded first from any prior year tax support surplus. That the $750,000 increase to the County of Simcoe Capital Reserve be delayed for one year with any 2022 year-end surplus generated from funding the County's budget to be allocated to this Reserve. That $975,322 be funded from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve in 2023 to help offset the costs of transitioning stormwater operating costs to the tax levy. That the projects funded from the proposed Stormwater Reserve on p.47 of the Business Plan & Budget be funded from the Tax Capital Reserve, and that staff report back to General Committee no later than the end of March on recommendations to cancel or defer tax capital funded projects to ensure financial sustainability of the Tax Capital Reserve.
AMENDMENT CARRIED [For: Thomson, Nigussie, Harvey, Harris, Morales, Hamilton; Against: Riepma, Nixon, Kungl, Courser]
Remaining Budget Items to be discussed February 9:
Rate Approvals
8. That the Water base Operating Budget, with gross expenditures of $31.5 million and revenues of $31.5 million, and the proposed 2023 Water Rates as outlined in Schedule “N” of the “Proposed Fee Changes” section of the 2023 Business Plan be approved. 9. That the Wastewater base Operating Budget, with gross expenditures of $41.2 million and revenues of $41.2 million, and the proposed 2023 Wastewater Rates as outlined in Schedule “N” of the “Proposed Fee Changes” section of the 2023 Business Plan be approved.
10. That the Stormwater base Operating Budget, with gross expenditures of $11.5 million and revenues of $11.5 million, and the proposed 2023 Stormwater Rates as outlined in New Fees Schedule “J” of the “Proposed Fee Changes” section of the 2023 Business Plan be approved.
11. That funding of the stormwater user charge for January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023, in the amount of $2.625 million, be funded from the Federal Gas Tax Reserve.
12. That the Parking Operations base budget, with gross expenditures of $2.4 million and gross revenues of $2.4 million, and the proposed 2023 Parking Rates as outlined in Schedule “O” of the “Proposed Fee Changes” section of the 2023 Business Plan be approved.
13. That pursuant to Ontario Regulation 284/09, Staff Report EMT001-23 serve as the method for communicating the exclusion of the following estimated expenses from the 2023 Business Plan:
a) Amortization expense - $63 million;
b) Post-employment benefit expenses - $1.8 million; and
c) Solid waste landfill closure and post-closure expenses - $500 thousand.
Capital Budget Approvals
14. That, consistent with the Capital Project Control Policy, the 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027 Capital Budget relating to new capital spending requests of $78.4 million, $88.8 million, $75.5 million, $17.4 million, and $10.9 million respectively be approved with the following amendments to reflect changes since the 2023 Business Plan’s publication on January 18, 2023, and the 2023 to 2027 Capital Budget items not requiring spending approval, be received as forecast information:
a) That the approved budget for RP1180 - Roads Operations New Fleet to Service Growth be increased by $168,393 to be funded from DC Reserves; b) That project FC1287 - Marina L Dock Repair and Replacement be added to the 2023 Capital Plan with a budget of $525,000 to be funded from the Marina Reserve, and that the increased reserve draw be offset by returning $525,000 of Marina Reserve funding from previously approved project FC1233 - Marina Welcome Centre New Building Development; and c) That $269,500 of previously approved budget from EN1140 - Play Court Construction and Rehabilitation and $291,500 of previously approved budget from project EN1117 - Annual Playground Revitalization Program, in addition to $696,500 of newly requested budget, be used to create a new capital project related to the FedDev Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) grant for Ferndale Community Park, Eastview Community Park, and St Vincent Park, with total budget and funding as outlined in Appendix “C”;
i) That $30,500 of previously approved budget from EN1140 - Play Court Construction and Rehabilitation funded from the Federal Gas Tax Reserve be returned.
15. That any Industrial Development Charge Discounts in 2023 be funded first from the $200 thousand allocated annually in the operating budget, followed by any year-end surplus, with any remaining balance funded from the appropriate capital reserve. 16. That projects impacted by Bill 23 no longer be funded from Development Charges Reserves, but instead be funded from the Tax Capital, Water Capital and/or Wastewater Capital Reserves, as outlined in Appendix “G” to the Staff Report EMT001-23 regarding the 2023 Business Plan and Budget.
By-law update and forecasts received for information
17. That staff be authorized to implement the necessary by-law to establish the billing and collection of the Stormwater Climate Action Fund (stormwater) user charge as attached as Appendix “F” to the Staff Report EMT001-23 regarding the 2023 Business Plan and Budget.
18. That the Stormwater Climate Action Fund Program Policy and Stormwater Climate Action Fund Credit Policy attached as Appendices “D” and “E” to the Staff Report EMT001-23 regarding the 2023 Business Plan and Budget, be approved.
19. That effective April 1, 2023, By-law 2022-013, as amended, be repealed, and replaced with a by-law incorporating the fees and charges presented in the 2023 Business Plan.
20. That forecast information for 2024, 2025, and 2026 presented in the 2023 Business Plan be received for information.
Council and Staff authorization requests
21. That the Executive Management Team (EMT) be authorized to add temporary non-complement positions to the end of the budget year utilizing existing approved funds to deal with any unforeseen circumstances that impact delivery of City services. 22. That the Executive Management Team (EMT) be authorized to implement the economic adjustment for the Non-Union Group (NUG) of employees (including full time, part time and students), effective January 1, 2023.
23. That staff be authorized to submit applications for grants that would reduce expenditures associated with projects, programs and services approved as part of the Operating and Capital Budget.
24. That two of the following officers, either the Mayor, Clerk, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer or their designates, be authorized to execute any agreements that may be required to accept grant funding from other levels of government or other partners, to reduce expenditures associated with programs, services, and/or capital projects.
25. That staff be authorized to submit applications for grants that would reduce future capital expenditures, fund service enhancements, or enable capital projects to be advanced, and a report or memo be presented, as appropriate, prior to the execution of any agreement associated with the acceptance of such grant.
26. That the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer be authorized to make the necessary alterations to the transfer to and/or from reserves to reflect changes since the 2023 Business Plan’s publication on January 18, 2023.
27. That the City Clerk be authorized to prepare all necessary by-laws to implement the above recommendations.
AMENDMENT by Thomson – That consideration of the Barrie Police Services Board 2023 Budget request be deferred to a General Committee meeting to be scheduled on March 8, 2023.
Harvey declared conflict and did not participate or vote
CARRIED unanimously
AMENDMENT by Thomson – That consideration of the following Budget Requests be deferred to the General Committee meeting to be scheduled on March 8, 2023: · Barrie Public Library Board; · County of Simcoe; and · The remainder of the Barrie Service Partners.
CARRIED unanimously
AMENDMENT by Harvey – to add Intake Forms 2686 "Utility SCADA Specialist", 2737 "Roads Operations Staff - Growth Lands 2023", 2707 "Emergency Vehicle Technician", 2717 "Facilities Project Managers", 2720 "Waterfront Additional Washroom Cleaning", 2719 "Marina Boat Storage", 2726 "Barrie Transit Fare Increase" and 2759 "Barrie Transit Service Reduction Salem and Hewitts"
AMENDMENT by Nigussie - to add Intake Form 2744 "Summer Weekend Reopening"
CARRIED unanimously
AMENDMENT by Thomson - To add Intake Forms 2758 "Technology Analyst (NG911)" and 2687 "Engineering Contract Administrator", and that Intake Form 2789 be modified and approved as follows : 3 temporary 1-year contract positions (Senior Planner, Transportation Planning Engineer, and Risk Management Inspector)
CARRIED unanimously
AMENDMENT by Harvey - Approve Intake Form 2768 "MacLaren Art Service Provider Status - Remove from Cultural Grants Program" and 2764 "Barrie Arts Show"
CARRIED unanimously
AMENDMENT by Harvey - That the remaining recommendations not approved through the 2023 Budget Process be referred back to the Executive Management Team (EMT) for reconsideration in 2024
AMENDMENT by Harvey - to remove Intake form 2799 "Economic Development and Tourism Resources" until such time as the Sports Tourism Master Plan is presented to Council for further consideration
did not see a vote on this amendment
AMENDMENT by Kungl - to add 2763, to be funded inside the 2023 Operating Budget, and considered a temporary position (2 years)
FAILED [FOR: Nixon, Kungl; AGAINST: Riepma, Courser, Thomson, Nigussie, Harvey, Harris, Morales, Hamilton]
AMENDMENT by Thomson - to add Intake Form 2734 "Disability Management Specialist"
CARRIED unanimously
Amendment, as amended, CARRIED unanimously
CARRIED unanimously
[We're still working on the rest – thanks for your patience, this is a very detailed meeting to transcribe!!]
