|
Kincardine must better communicate the budget process to the public By Liz Dadson |
Kincardine Council To Comment on this article Click Here |
|||
|
The Municipality of Kincardine must do a better job of communicating the budget process to the public. That was one point made at the Kincardine council session Tuesday evening (Feb. 1) when council members and staff studied the 2010 budget to prepare themselves for this year's budget talks. Councillor Jacqueline Faubert said she would like to see a pie chart indicating where all the revenue is coming from - for example, federal and provincial grants, municipal taxes, and so on. She would also like to see a pie chart showing where all the money is spent, particularly how much of the taxes collected actually get sent on to Bruce County council. "We need to communicate better to the public what this budget process is about and where all the tax money goes," she said. "Then, when we make tough decisions, the ratepayers will understand how it works." Chief administrative officer John deRosenroll said, ironically, 2010 was the first budget when pie charts were not drawn up to show council that information. "We can include them with the 2011 budget," he said. "They do help communicate the budget more effectively." Deputy mayor Anne Eadie suggested sending the pie charts out to the ratepayers with the municipal newsletter, after the budget is complete. "People don't realize that the county gets any money at all from their municipal taxes," she said. "It would be nice to see that in a pie chart and sent out." "Their slice of the pie is bigger than ours," said mayor Larry Kraemer. Councillor Maureen Couture said the county should also draw up a pie chart to show what services it provides and how much money is spent on them. Treasurer Brenda French walked council through the 2010 budget, including the summary which lays out the overall budget, the key points, primary challenges, target parameters, and the proposed tax increase. It also included forward-planning recommendations for long-term financial planning, she said. "How many of the forward-planning recommendations were adopted?" asked councillor Ron Coristine. "None," said French. The budget lists all the reserves and reserve funds in the municipality. Coristine asked what the difference is between reserves and reserve funds. French said a reserve is an allocation of money, but it's not always liquid and could be a receivable, a payable, or an investment. However, a reserve fund is money set aside in a separate bank account, even though the money could be invested until it is needed. "A reserve fund is truly dedicated for a project," she said. "A reserve could be just on paper." Councillor Randy Roppel said council had mentioned last year about having a discussion regarding how much money is really needed in reserves and reserve funds. He would like to have that discussion soon. French said the past few years of drawing on reserves and reserve funds to cover the operating expenses, has been the result of a loss in revenue, rather than an increase in spending. Council and staff then began digging into the meat and potatoes of the budget, going line-by-line through the various departments, with the help of the policy chairperson (councillor) and senior management person in charge of each department. It was a good opportunity for new councillors to ask questions about what operating and capital expenses are required in each service area of the municipality. For example, fire chief Jamie MacKinnon noted that there are two fire stations - one in Kincardine and the other in Tiverton, with 50 volunteer firefighters. The Mysis rescue boat and the community emergency management co-ordinator also operate out of this department, he said. In the budget line items, submission revenue is money generated from outside sources, such as provincial grants, while submission expenses are costs that are paid to outside agencies, such as the OPP policing. Under public works, Faubert asked why there were regular wages paid, as well as over-time wages, part-time wages and contract wages. French clarified that there are no contract workers, just full-time and part-time - that will be changed in this year's budget.
|
 Councillor Jacqueline Faubert suggests the revenue and expenses be laid out on pie charts to make them easier to understand Faubert also noticed that the telephone charges on the ledgers are quite high. "Perhaps using cellphones would be cheaper," she said. "That's an issue we could look at right across the board," said deRosenroll. "We could also look at cutting back sidewalk plowing," said Faubert. "That's a good discussion to have," said Eadie. "However, clearing sidewalks is nice for people who like to walk." "Snow-shovelling is good for you too," said Faubert. "This municipality does the best job anywhere, on snow removal," said Couture. Council also discussed recreation services, noting that the Davidson Centre had a deficit of $771,000 last year. Kraemer pointed out that it is a popular spot in the municipality and offers a lot of services and programs which are demanded by the ratepayers. "The perception is to see a big, costly building sitting there," he said, "but what you don't see are all the services and programs provided." "Once the new gymnasium addition is done, we will have to operate and maintain it at a cost we can afford," said Couture. "I hope the recreation advisory committee can be creative in finding ways to do that." Council completed the operating portion of the budget by going through revenue and expenses for tourism and economic development, and building and planning. It was then on to discussion of the capital budget. Kraemer said the meeting was a chance for all of council, especially new members, to understand the budget process before they have to struggle with this year's budget. "It's good to understand the departments, the requirements, and get a look at the budget binder which is pretty overwhelming at first glance," he said. "This is also an opportunity for council to get a good look at how the budget is put together." Council is planning to do a service delivery review in conjunction with the 2011 budget process which is slated to begin March 7. Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
|
|||
|
 for
world news,
books, sports, movies ...Sunday, February 06, 2011 |
