THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF ENDERBY

Minutes of a Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting of Council held on Monday, February 19, 2007at 1:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Present: Mayor Sue Phillips
Councillor Howie Cyr
Councillor Beryl Ludwig
Councillor Dee Wejr

Administrator Maggie Knox
Treasurer Geri Ferguson
Recording Secretary Bettyann Kennedy


APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Moved by Councillor Cyr, seconded by Councillor Wejr that the agenda be approved as circulated.
Carried Unanimously

NEW BUSINESS

2007 - 2011 Financial Plan

Administration presented the draft financial plan. As presented, with the property assessments having increased 30% on average, the plan will see an overall general tax revenue increase of 2.13% and a decrease on the general tax rate. The water and sewer rates combined will marginally decrease.

Discussions occurred on the following items:

General Fund

Taxation:
Ä Increase in property assessments, reduction in municipal tax rate;
Ä Collections on behalf of other jurisdictions are estimates at this time;
Ä Final policing costs not known;
Revenue From other Sources:
Ä Decrease in development applications being offset by increased application fees;
Ä Miscellaneous revenue was overstated due to reimbursement received for some one-time expenses in 2006 and will be reduced for 2007.
Administrative Expenses:
Ä CUPE contract expired in February 2007;
Ä Staff development includes workshops on tangible capital asset management;
Ä Planning and subdivisions costs difficult to predict. If applications are low, funds will be available for special projects (secondary suites);
Ä Donations and Grants: Transit is to become a regional service resulting in $7,960 being removed from Grants and added to the NORD requisition. Library amount to be reduced to $1,600 as Area F Director funds 50% from his discretionary fund. City Hall mural repairs to be moved to City Hall maintenance expense. It was noted that the SPCA will be submitting a request for grant monies and will be instructed to submit detailed data with their request.
Protective Services:
Ä Fire Dept. staff training required. Vernon Fire Training Centre is under review in Vernon. It is hoped that the training centre will be utilized more.
Ä Fire Prevention Officer amount may change. Alternate sources investigated, with this being the least expensive option.
Capital Expenditures:
Ä Administration
- Repairs to City Hall floors required.
- Replacement of approximately 1 _ computer work stations per year.
Ä Transportation
- Vehicle replacement does not identify specific equipment as all equipment and vehicles are old. Difficult to predict which piece of equipment or vehicle will need replacement first.
- City's share of funding for LocalMotion projects will not be accessed if applications are not approved.
Ä Sewer
- WWTP backup generator - a new generator is expected to be $125,000. Search continues for a used generator.
Ä Sewer and Water
- Geographical Information System - investigate the option of building onto the system available through NORD or obtaining our own system. This item to be integrated with the management of the tangible capital assets.

Reserves:
Ä It was noted that almost all of the funds in reserves are committed to MRIF projects and the purchase of a new fire truck.

Consensus was reached that the following amendments be made to the draft financial plan:

Ä Transit grant amount of $7,960 to be removed from grants and donations, as in 2007 these costs will be included in the NORD requisition;
Ä Reduce Okanagan Regional Library grant to $1,600;
Ä Re-allocate City Hall mural repairs estimated at $2,500 from grants and donations to City Hall maintenance expense;
Ä Reduce Miscellaneous income to $67,000.

A consensus was reached to leave the balance of surplus amounts in the surplus accounts.

The next scheduled Committee-of-the-Whole meeting will be on March 5, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. to discuss the 5 year Capital Plan.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.






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MAYOR ADMINISTRSTOR