Published February 6, 2024
Word Count 2253 words
Reading Time 11 min read

Body: Council
Type: Minutes
Meeting: Special
Date: February 6, 2024
Collection: Council Minutes

[View Document (PDF)](/docs/north-frontenac/Council Minutes/2024/February 6, 2024 - Special Council Minutes.pdf)

Document Text

North Frontenac Special Council Minutes February 6, 2024

Special Council Minutes 9:00 AM - Tuesday, February 6, 2024 Council Chambers

The North Frontenac Council met in Special Council on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 9:00 AM in the Council Chambers.

Present:
Mayor Gerry Lichty; Councillor Wayne Good and Councillor Stephanie Regent - Ward 1; Councillor Roy Huetl and Councillor Vernon Hermer - Ward 2; Deputy Mayor John Inglis and Councillor Fred Fowler - Ward 3 Also Present: Corey Klatt, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO); Kelly Watkins, Treasurer (Treasurer/CAO Back-up); Tara Mieske, Clerk/Planning Manager (CPM); Brooke Ross, Manager of Community Development (MCD); Darwyn Sproule, Public Works Manager (PWM) (Electronic Participation); Eric Korhonen, Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief (DESFC); and Sandra Lessard, Deputy Treasurer

Call to Order and Purpose of Meeting

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the 2024 Draft Budget.

Approval of Agenda

a) February 6, 2024 45-24 Moved by Councillor Stephanie Regent, Seconded by Councillor Wayne Good

Be It Resolved That Council approves the Agenda dated February 6, 2024, as circulated. Carried

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

None declared.

Presentations

a) Treasurer: 2024 Draft Budget Overview (PowerPoint attached)

2024 Budget Presentation

Communications

Page 1 of 23

North Frontenac Special Council Minutes February 6, 2024

a) Treasurer’s Communications of Interest to Council Re: 2024 Draft Budget 46-24 Moved by Councillor Wayne Good, Seconded by Councillor Stephanie Regent

Be It Resolved That Council receives for information Section ‘A’ Items of the Treasurer’s Administrative Report entitled “Communications of Interest”. Carried

Council, CAO, and Managers’ Administrative Reports

a) Manager of Community Development: Increase to One (1) CLSP Staff Hours 47-24 Moved by Councillor Stephanie Regent, Seconded by Councillor Wayne Good

Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Manager of Community Development’s Administrative Report entitled “Increase to One (1) CLSP Staff Hours”.

Carried

b) Manager of Community Development: Community Improvement Plan (CIP) - 2023 Annual Report 48-24 Moved by Councillor Wayne Good, Seconded by Councillor Stephanie Regent

Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Manager of Community Development’s Administrative Report entitled “Community Improvement Plan (CIP) - 2023 Annual Report”. Carried

c) Manager of Community Development: Proposed Modernization to Community Halls Booking System 49-24 Moved by Councillor Stephanie Regent, Seconded by Councillor Wayne Good

Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Manager of Community Development’s (MCD) Administrative Report entitled “Proposed Modernization to Community Halls Booking System”. Carried

d) Manager of Economic Development: Economic Development Officer (EDO) – Temporary Position 50-24 Moved by Councillor Wayne Good, Seconded by Councillor Stephanie Regent

Page 2 of 23

North Frontenac Special Council Minutes February 6, 2024

Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Manager of Community Development’s (MCD) Administrative Report entitled “Economic Development Officer (EDO) – Temporary Position”. Carried

e) Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief: Firefighter Group Benefits 51-24 Moved by Councillor Stephanie Regent, Seconded by Councillor Wayne Good

Be It Resolved That Council receives the Director of Emergency Services / Fire Chiefs Administrative Report entitled, “Firefighter Group Benefits” for information purposes. Carried

f) Public Works Manager: Purchase of Diagnostic Software for Heavy-Duty Equipment Analysis 52-24 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Fred Fowler

Be It Resolved ThatCouncil receives for information the Public Works Manager’s (PWM) Administrative Report entitled “Purchase of Diagnostic Software for Heavy- Duty Equipment Analysis”. Carried

g) Treasurer: 2024 Summary of the Ten (10) Year Capital Plan 2024-2033; Tangible Capital Asset (TCA) Replacement Schedules (planned spending) as amended 53-24 Moved by Councillor Wayne Good, Seconded by Councillor Stephanie Regent

Be It Resolved That Council receives the Treasurer’s Administrative Report entitled “2024 Summary of the Ten (10) Year Capital Plan 2024-2033; TCA Replacement Schedules (planned spending) as amended” for information purposes. Carried

h) 2024 Draft Budget 54-24 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Fred Fowler

Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Treasurer’s Administrative Report entitled “2024 Draft Budget” Carried

Council Discussion

Page 3 of 23

North Frontenac Special Council Minutes February 6, 2024

a) Council Discussion: 2024 Draft Budget

Note: Councillor Wayne Good left the meeting during the budget discussion at 1:00 p.m.

Public Forum

None.

Consideration of Budget

a) Treasurer: 2024 Summary of the Ten (10) Year Capital Plan 2024-2033; Tangible Capital Asset (TCA) Replacement Schedules (planned spending) as amended 55-24 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Roy Huetl

Be It Resolved That Council approves the 2024 Summary of the 10 Year Capital Plan (2024 – 2033) Tangible Capital Asset (TCA) Replacement Schedules (planned spending); And That Council authorizes the CAO and Managers to proceed with the applicable 2024 TCA Capital Purchases/Tenders (in accordance with these Schedules and the Procurement By-law). Carried

Deferral of Decisions 56-24 Moved by Deputy Mayor John Inglis, Seconded by Councillor Roy Huetl

Be It Resolved That Council defers the decisions regarding the operating budget until the Special Meeting on February 16, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. Carried

Confirmatory By-law

a) Confirming By-law 57-24 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Roy Huetl

Be It Resolved That By-law #2024-15, being a By-law to confirm all actions and proceedings of Council for its Special Meeting regarding the 2024 Draft Budget held February 6, 2024 be read a first, second, and third time and finally passed.
Carried

Adjournment

a) Adjournment Page 4 of 23

North Frontenac Special Council Minutes February 6, 2024

58-24 Moved by Councillor Roy Huetl, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer

Be It Resolved That Council adjourns the Meeting at 2:39 p.m. until February 16, 2024 or at the call of the Chair. Carried

Mayor Clerk

Page 5 of 23 2024 DRAFT BUDGET February 6, 2024 Page 6 of 23 SLIDE | 2 2024 DRAFT BUDGET Proposed Increase in Total Municipal Dollars $432,912 or 6.3% (As presented in the Council Agenda for February 6, 2024) Page 7 of 23 SLIDE | 3 2024 DRAFT BUDGET - Summary of the Increases Affecting Levy Payroll – increase $189,612 2.32% Insurance – increase $21,804 .40% Police – increase of $23,137 .34% OMPF – decrease in funding - $13,700 .21% Bridge Mandatory bi-annual inspection (OSIM) – added $15,000 .22% Communication towers (inspections/annual maintenance and repairs (4 .22% towers) – added $15,000 General operating changes 1.30% General Operating increases Total 5.01% Page 8 of 23 SLIDE | 4 2024 DRAFT BUDGET – Council’s Consideration for Increases Affecting Levy Council Conferences $8,000 Economic Development – Annual contribution to Economic Development $2,500 Reserve Fund Economic Development – CIP Program (previously funded from Reserve $28,380 Funds) – see Admin Report 6b Economic Development – Replace Funds to Reserve Fund for approved $6,000 Summer Fest (for consideration per Res #463-23) Sundry – Increase in Community Grants (for consideration per Res #17-24) $3,000 Sundry – Donation request from Perth & Smith Falls Hospital for MRI $5,000 Campaign (for consideration per Res #469-23) Page 9 of 23 SLIDE | 5 2024 DRAFT BUDGET – Council’s Consideration for Increases Affecting Levy Fire – Benefits (life/dental/medical) for Volunteer Fire Fighters – see Admin Report 6e $24,000 Roads – Diagnostic Equipment – see Admin Report 6f $9,100 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner $1,000 Total $86,980 Percentage of Levy Increase 1.29% General Operating Increase of 5.01% plus Councils Consideration affecting levy 1.29% Increase of 6.3% Page 10 of 23 SLIDE | 6 2024 DRAFT BUDGET – What’s not been incorporated Kaladar Barrie Fire Department – No increase has been added for the KB Fire Department. Currently, we have a Joint service 50% share Policy within the budget document if we pass our budget before the KB Budget is known, the additional funds would come from the Contingency Reserve Fund. Additional Funding into Reserve Other than the recommendations on the previous slide for Economic Development Funds there is no additional recommendations for additional contributions for Reserve Funds that have a shortfall per the draft Policy. Additional Cost of Living (COLA) Per Resolution #488-23, Council would consider increasing the approved COLA Employees, Council, Volunteer from 3.5% to 3.8% during budget deliberations Fire Fighters and Committee of Adjustment members Municipal Services Corporation – Resolution #285-23 approved North Frontenac to be a member of the Municipal Services Corporation with the Funds coming from the Contingency Reserve Fund.
The Resolution says, “with a plan to replenish funds through the budget process during 2024 budget deliberations”. Page 11 of 23 SLIDE | 7 2024 DRAFT BUDGET – Expenses Impacts to all Departments: Hydro/Heat Carried budget numbers forward from 2023 with a few small adjustments Fuel Carried budget numbers forward from 2023 with a few small adjustments Telephone (land lines and cell phones) – Carried budget numbers forward from 2023 with a few small adjustments Insurance Applied 10% increase to budget from 2023 Page 12 of 23 SLIDE | 8 2024 DRAFT BUDGET – Expense Impacts Impacts to all Departments: • Payroll/Benefits • Cost of Living Allowance (3.5%) – per Res #488-23 • Clerical Assistant/CLSP – funded partially in 2022 & 2023 from Covid 19 Reserve Fund, recommend $25,000 in 2024 • Increase in Waste Site staffing hours due to continued increase in demand • Changes to CPP and increase in Benefits • Increase in Crownland Program hours – see Admin Report item 6a • Permit Clerk for the building department – New position for 2024 per Res#265-23 • Training/Conference • Increase Council back to full Conference allotment (1 for each Councillor and 2 for Mayor) • Increase to Conference budgeted amounts due to increased costs • Increase in Fire Training (added motor vehicle accident training including Electric Vehicles) • Increase for Building Department training due to New Building Code Requirements Page 13 of 23 SLIDE | 9 2024 DRAFT BUDGET – Outside Requisitions • Mississippi Valley Conservation • $34,931 increase of $1,195 over 2023 • Quinte Conservation • $1,200 increase of $73 over 2023 • Kaladar Barrie Joint Fire Committee • Unknown at this time • Police services • $832,084 increase of $23,137 from 2023 • County of Frontenac • $2,009,848 increase of $49,821 or 2.54% over 2023 • Education • $1,498,441 increase of $9,553 over 2023. Tax rate remains the same as 2021 & 2022 Page 14 of 23 SLIDE | 10 2024 DRAFT BUDGET – Projects with Grants • Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations – Approval pending • Installation of charging stations • Project will not go forward if grant not received • Community Emergency Preparedness Grant – Approval pending • Funding for training, sandbagger & generators • Project will not go forward if grant not received • Fire Marshall Certification Grant – Funding Approved • Funding for training Materials Page 15 of 23 SLIDE | 11 2024 DRAFT BUDGET – Revenue Impacts Annual Funding Programs • Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) Grant – Decrease of $13,700 • Ontario Community Infrastructure Funding (OCIF) – Increase $112,244 • Additional funds have been incorporated into 10 Year Capital Plan • Canada Community Building Fund (CCBF) – Increase of $13,595 • Municipal portion of funding • Aggregate Resources (portion of licence fees for pits in Township) – Increase of $5,000 • Increased based on the actual received in 2023 Page 16 of 23 SLIDE | 12 2024 DRAFT BUDGET – Projects from Reserve Funds • Buckshot Lake Culvert (Hills Lake) – Consulting - $15,000 • Community Planning Permit System - $25,000 • Joint project with Frontenac County – approved by Council, not completed in 2023 • Community Hall Booking System – See Admin Report 6c - $5,000 • 10 Year Capital Planned Spending – See Admin Report 6g - $3,138,974 • Kashawakamak Waste Site Compliance Work - $50,000 Page 17 of 23 SLIDE | 13 2024 DRAFT BUDGET $432,912 or 6.3 % Based on $100,000 Residential Assessment @ $45.26 increase Municipal = 5.73% increase or an increase of $41.28 County = 1.91% increase or an increase of $3.98 Education = 0% no change   • Based on the Median Assessment based on the Current Value Assessment (CVA) • CVA based on 2016 valuation dates. Assessment values to remain the same through to the end of 2024 (unless there have been changes to the property) Assessment (CVA) 2023 2024 Difference Increase by month Single Family Home $121,000 $1,304.46 $1,363.22 $58.76 $4.90 Seasonal Recreational Dwelling $245,000 $2,660.18 $2,771.51 $111.33 $9.28 Page 18 of 23 SLIDE | 14 2024 DRAFT BUDGET - Reserves / Reserve Funds 2023 Year End Balances Unaudited & Pending Year End 2024 Year End Balances Based on 2024 Draft Budget Reserves $1,218,524 $1,096,402 Total Tangible Capital Assets Reserve Funds $3,771,055 $3,646,083 Obligatory Reserve Funds $1,969,542 $1,800,270 Discretionary Reserve Funds $2,165,761 $2,018,285 Total Reserve / Reserve Funds $9,124,882 $8,561,040 Total Impact on Reserve / Reserve Funds

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