The chair of Wellington County’s administration, finance and human resources (AFHR) committee is urging councillors to sharpen their budget pencils earlier in order to avoid a last-minute rush.
The 2017 budget was passed in January. For the last three years, budget discussions have at times been acrimonious, with some councillors pushing for reduced spending and/or more discussion on budget priorities at the council level.
The 2017 budget passed by a 10-6 margin in a recorded vote on Jan. 26.
Councillor Don McKay was among those who expressed concerns about the budget process this year.
At the Jan. 26 meeting he noted that while in lower tier municipalities councils spend months working on a budget, “we in the county, which has a substantially higher amount of taxes from residents, do it in a matter of weeks.”
At the Feb. 23 meeting, AFHR chair and councillor Chris White noted treasurer Ken DeHart provided the committee with a review of the budget process.
The review points out county staff begin the budget progress in August, with an update of the five-year plan and salary models. By November a preliminary five-year plan is presented to standing committees and boards for review.
Council receives the five-year plan for review in November and in early January council reviews the plan and annual budget.
The budget is then returned to committees for review and input throughout January before being presented for final approval at the county council meeting on the last Thursday of the month.
The report notes the county was recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 2015 and 2016 and the Canadian Award for Financial Reporting for 2013, 2014 and 2015.
“Wellington is the only county in Ontario to be recognized for either award and is one of only 11 municipalities in Ontario to receive both awards for the last completed cycle,” the report states.
“There was some concern expressed that maybe it was a little bit early or rushed,” said White in reference to the county’s budget process.
“I think we know at this point we’re looking at an estimated four percent (increase) next year. I think that’s where we’re coming out of the gate.”
White continued, “So we know that now … So at the beginning of every meeting you get financial statements that indicate where your particular budgets in committees are, so if you want to get the budget down, now’s the time.
“So each month as you’re going through your various finances … we know where we’re going, so we don’t want to end up in December trying to deal with as much as possible.
“So there’s lots of opportunities to deal with the tax rate coming forward. So I would encourage everyone to keep an eye on the individual committee budgets, and there is lots of opportunity.”
Councillor Neil Driscoll said, “When there’s a committee meeting there an opportunity. We’ve missed quite a few this past month.”
Meetings of the police services board and social services, roads and solid waste services committees were cancelled last month.
The planning portion of the planning and land division committee meeting and library portion of the information, heritage and seniors committee were also cancelled.
Four of the 16 council members were absent for the Feb. 23 council meeting.
