Mayor N. Salonen provided an introduction to the item.
Acting CAO/Director of Corporate Services / CFO, Greg Clark introduce the memo.
Council asked and received a response from staff on the following:
- If electronic billing is introduced, what is the implementation plan, and associated timeline, and whether the process would have any efficiencies;
- The total number of paper bills that are issued annually;
- Clarification regarding how the review was conducted;
- If all of the proposed items were adopted, and the overall reduction that would apply to the tax levy;
- Clarification regarding the meaning of some of the proposed reductions and increases; and,
- If the Township has a duty to provide certain types of training opportunities.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to include all of the items listed in "Council Memo Re: Council identify potential 5% budget savings - Table 1 - Potential Tax Levy Reduction Items". The motion was defeated.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Mayor and Council - Contingency Budget in the amount of $12,500. The motion was defeated.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Office of the CAO - Staff Appreciation Events in the amount of $9,500. The motion was defeated.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Office of the CAO - Contingency Budget in the amount of $12,500. The motion was defeated.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Office of the CAO - Corporate Training and Development in the amount of $5,000. The motion was defeated.
Council asked and received a response from staff on the following:
- Clarification regarding how the Township would implement the transition to electronic billing; and,
- Whether there would be a cost-savings due to a reduction of postage.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to increase a revenue budget item for Corporate Services - Fee for paper Tax and Utility Bills in the amount of $50,000. The motion carried unanimously.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Corporate Services - Casual P/T By-law Hours in the amount of $21,500. The motion was defeated.
Council asked and received a response from staff on the following:
- Clarification if an increase in revenue parking fines revenue will also mean an increase in the number of infractions issued.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to increase a revenue budget item for Corporate Services - Parking Fines (Revenue) in the amount of $6,000. The motion carried.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget that the operating budget be amended to reduce Corporate Services - Archives Project in the amount of $1,200. The motion was defeated.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Community Services - Community Grants Program in the amount of $55,000. The motion was defeated.
Council asked and received a response from staff on the following:
- Clarification regarding what is the Seasonal Community Service Guide, and what purpose does it serve the community.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Community Services - Seasonal Community Service Guide in the amount of $6,500. The motion was defeated.
Council asked and received a response from staff on the following:
- Clarification regarding how staff intend to reduce utility costs at Neville St.; and,
- Whether the reduction will be realized with or without direction from Council.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Community Services - Neville St. Utility Costs in the amount of $7,000. The motion carried unanimously.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to increase a revenue budget item for Community Services - WRC Room Rental (Revenue) in the amount of $3,300. The motion was defeated.
Council asked and received a response from staff on the following:
- Clarification regarding how staff intend to achieve the increase in revenue from ice rentals; and,
- Whether the increase in revenue will be realized without it being directed by Council.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to increase a revenue budget item for Community Services - WRC Ice Rentals (Revenue) in the amount of $50,000. The motion carried unanimously.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to increase a revenue budget item for Community Services - WRC Aquatic Rentals/Admissions (Revenue) in the amount of $25,000. The motion carried unanimously.
Council asked and received a response from staff on the following:
- If the seasonal parks staffing allocation is reduced, what will be the implications for level of service.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Community Services - Park Seasonal in the amount of $26,000. The motion was defeated.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Fire Services - Training Budget in the amount of $15,045. The motion was defeated.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Fire Services - Emergency Call Out in the amount of $8,560. The motion was defeated.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Fire Services - Clothing/Personal Protection Equipment in the amount of $3,625. The motion was defeated.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Fire Services - Equipment Repairs and Maintenance in the amount of $2,165. The motion was defeated.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Fire Services - Minor Capital Replacement in the amount of $2,295. The motion was defeated.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Fire Services - Vehicle Repairs and Maintenance in the amount of $1,835. The motion was defeated.
Council asked and received a response from staff on the following:
- Clarification regarding why there is a proposed increase in mileage within Infrastructure Services.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Infrastructure Services - Increased Mileage by $4,500. The motion was defeated.
Council asked and received a response from staff on the following:
- The types of tasks that are assigned to the Engineering Summer Student;
- Whether the Engineering Summer Student contributes to efficiencies within the Infrastructure Services Department;
- Whether during the hiring process, the hiring committee takes into consideration if the applicants are from the Township of Wilmot; and,
- Whether the cost of students are off-set by grant funding.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Infrastructure Services - Engineering Summer Student Hours in the amount of $5,000. The motion was defeated.
Council asked and received a response from staff on the following:
- Clarification regarding what types of services are incorporated in the Engineering Contracted Services budget.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Infrastructure Services - Engineering Contracted Services in the amount of $10,000. The motion was defeated.
Council asked and received a response from staff on the following:
- Clarification regarding what types of services which generate fees to contribute to the Development Engineering Revenue budget.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to increase a revenue budget item for Infrastructure Services - Development Engineering Revenue in the amount of $15,000. The motion was defeated.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Infrastructure Services - Boundary Road Maintenance in the amount of $10,000. The motion was defeated.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to increase a revenue budget item for Infrastructure Services - Municipal Drain Revenue in the amount of $20,000. The motion carried.
- Clarification regarding how economic development may be impacted, if the marketing budget is reduced.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item for Development Services - Economic Development Marketing in the amount of $20,000. The motion carried.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Development Services - Economic Development Supplies in the amount of $5,000. The motion carried.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be amended to reduce budget item Development Services - Economic Development Minor Capital in the amount of $2,500. The motion carried.