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Kincardine treasurer streamlines budget process By Liz Dadson |
Kincardine council To Comment on this article Click Here |
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Kincardine's budget headaches could be over. In committee-of-the-whole Wednesday night (Feb. 1.), council endorsed a plan, presented by interim treasurer Steve Soychak, that would streamline the budget process substantially. Soychak's proposal would see him and each respective senior manager present a business plan and operational budget for 2012 for each department. These budgets would be built around existing services provided to the municipality, remaining as a status quo operation from the previous year. "We're basically looking at operational budgets for essential services," he said. "Wage and benefit increases would be included, as well as any known cost increases to any supply or contractual line item." Each senior manager would present his/her business plan noting the objectives for the year, and provide discussion on the changes from the prior year budget, said Soychak. He recommended that senior managers of public works, treasury and the clerk's department make their presentations at the Feb. 8 committee-of-the-whole meeting, followed by emergency services, building and planning, chief administrative officer, and recreation on Feb. 15. A meeting on the capital budget would follow in March. Soychak noted that no formal process exists for the format and procedure of budget approval. "It is further suggested that the budgeting process annually commence in the fall," he said. "I like this format very much," said councillor Maureen Couture, "rather than going through the budget line-by-line. This would tell us exactly what department services are provided and at what cost." "I like this approach," agreed councillor Ron Coristine. "It will offer clarity and let us know where we are financially. And it will tell us what it costs to provide the required services." Mayor Larry Kraemer said he suggested this approach because it's the way Bruce County council does its budget. "I'd like to try this format too," said deputy mayor Anne Eadie. "I'd like to see some discussion about the status or non-status - the existence or non-existence - of the Four-Year Financial Recovery Plan," said councillor Jacqueline Faubert. "Are we following it?" [That plan, adopted prior 2011 budget deliberations, was drawn up by staff as a way to get the operational budget in line so Kincardine was no longer using reserves to pay operational expenses.] Couture said each department's business plan would incorporate recommendations from that recovery plan. "The senior managers would be reflecting on that recovery plan," said Soychak. "So, they're using it as a supporting document?" asked Faubert. "Yes," said Soychak.
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Councillor Randy Roppel said council has to decide what
the essential services are in this municipality. He also wants to know
what the surplus or deficit is from 2011 before determining the tax
rate for 2012."And, we should all know how to read a budget." Soychak said council will not be receiving huge budget binders of material this year. Council members will receive one- to two-page reports from each department and will be discussing service levels, rather than line items pertaining to the budget. Clerk/acting chief administrative officer Donna MacDougall said the business slated for the February council meetings is a bit lighter so the senior managers' presentations will be made then, rather than holding special meetings. "By the end of February, we should have more accurate figures to give you," said Soychak. "My only concern in preserving the status quo is that we have to determine what's an essential service," said Faubert. "During the presentations, you can bring up any changes to these services," said MacDougall. "We can ask for more information about certain things from the department heads," said Kraemer. Eadie asked what the status is for the Internal Organization Review which was to come to council in the fall. "That's better asked after Feb. 6," said Kraemer. "The review is in the report-writing stage," said Couture. It has been delayed to allow the new chief administrative officer, Murray Clarke, to have some input into it. Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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