ELORA – Centre Wellington council has agreed to push back its 2021 budget process by about a month.
“COVID has made deadlines hard to meet,” said Mayor Kelly Linton as a staff proposal with new dates was introduced at the Oct. 5 committee of the whole meeting.
The new schedule is as follows:
- Oct. 16 to Nov. 13: The public can view a budget presentation and a question and answer session at ConnectCW.ca, the township’s online forum for citizens to share, collaborate, exchange ideas and learn more about the township programs;
- Dec. 1 at 1pm: committee of the whole pre-budget meeting. Public delegations are invited at this meeting;
- Dec. 21: The 2021 draft budget book will be available;
- Jan. 5, 9am: budget deliberations begin. Public delegations can address council at this meeting.
- Jan. 7 at 9am: budget deliberations continue; and
- Jan 18: budget approval.
Councillor Bob Foster introduced a motion to delay meetings by another two weeks so staff can use 2020 actuals rather than estimates when putting the budget together.
“It does take a couple of months to finalize year-end,” said Dan Wilson, managing director of corporate services.
“So to delay a few weeks won’t provide what councillor Foster is looking for.”
Council voted against Foster’s motion and approved the new budget timetable.
