Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdmin 71-84�V,� oZc CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE 40 TEMPERANCE STREET BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C3A6 TELEPHONE 623-3379 REPORT TO THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 17 1984 ADMIN. 71 - 84 SUBJECT: 1985 CURRENT BUDGET AND CAPITAL FORECAST DISCUSSION GUIDELINES RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. That this report be received; and 2. That the attached Guidelines for the preparation of 1985 current budget and capital forecast discussions papers be endorsed. BACKGROUND AND COMMENT: In accordance with the proposed 1985 budget schedule as outlined in Treasury Report 49 - 84, members of staff have already commenced the task of preparing the 1985 budget for Council's consideration. It is hoped, with the co-operation of members of Council, that we can adhere to the schedule as outlined on attached Schedules A & B. The attached guidelines will provide direction to staff in formulating budgets for the consideration of committee. Guidelines will also serve to establish consistent principles within which estimates can be prepared and options weighed by Council. The guidelines should not be regarded as binding but rather a framework within which staff can prepare material for Council's review. In the latter part of November arrangements will be made for the informal budget meetings. Notes will be kept by the Clerk's office of revisions that are made at the final formal budget meeting(s). DSJ:nof Respectfully submitted, David S. Johnston, M.C.I.P., N Chief Administrative Officer V w� i�� 1985 BUDGET GUIDELINES FOR DISCUSSION: 1. That the initial budget preparation proceed on a similar basis to 1984 with all departmentsto be encouraged to stay_w.ithia� tl over the 1983 tax Levy. `h. ,..,�y✓•�/lLl��^^ay 2. Salaries and benefits for the 1985 budget shall be calculated on the 1984 salary grid, with any budget increase for salaries ano benefits being included in the Contingency Account. 3. Additions of any full-time staff or conversion of part-time staff to full-time status may be considered on an individual basis, but must be clearly identified as a new position. 4. Until budget discussions have been finalized, any contracts for part-time staft should only be renewed until March, at which time wage matters should be settled. 5. All department heads will be required to review existing programs and undertake the elimination of ineffective activities. New programs may only be introduced where the costs and benefits are clearly identified for Council's consideration. 6. Increase in any user fees shall reflect actual costs but in no instance should the fees exceed a ten percent increase. Revenue expectations should be conservative. Where fee increases are made, the effect of that increaseon participation rates should be given due consideration. 7. Each department head is responsible for the review of any senior government funding programs to establish any possible sources of financial assistance from senior levels of government to partially offset the effect on municipal taxation levels.¢ 8. With respect to grants made to outside organizations,e percent jas-r-ease over 1�}8a levels wi3l-bedhered—to. Specific grant allocations will only be considered by Council in accordance with the grants policies and where appropriate after recommendations have been received from the Newcastle Community Services Planning Board. 9. As part of the 1985 budget preparation the Treasury Department will bring forward a detailed report concerning the funding level by the Town to the Library Board. The report should compare Town funding levels to those municipalities of a similar size. The report should note comparative figures on staffing levels, number and size of branches, book buying and debenture debt. SCHEDULE "A" BUDGET SCHEDULE PROPOSAL 1985 CURRENT BUDGET JULY - AUGUST Preparation by Treasury of blank sheets for current year's budget. Transfer of budget on the pages and set up of 1985 format on word processor. Printing of blanks for departmental working copies of the current budget including summary pages and back up sheets. SEPTEMBER Preparation and submission of budget guidelines. Preparation of Salary and benefits budget by Treasury Department based on best estimates of costs for 1985. OCTOBER Preparation of 1985 Current Budget papers by the 'departments. NOVEMBER Review of Department budgets by staff and preparation of submission to Committee for consideration. DECEMBER/JANUARY Current Budget* submitted to Committee for consideration at the informal budget meetings. Insert actuals to end of November in budget document by Treasury staff. LATE JANUARY Current Budget submitted to General Purpose and Administration Committee for consideration and approval. FEBRUARY Finalized Current Budget presented to Council for approval. * Bound, indexed and pages numbered. SCHEDULE "B" BUDGET SHEDULE PROPOSAL 1985 FIVE YEAR CAPITAL FORECAST ----------------------- AUGUST Preparation by Treasury of blank sheets SEPTEMBER. Preparation by Departments of 5 Year Forecasts. 1985 should include detailed back up sheets where necessary. 1986 - 89 should be summarized expenditure by major operation within each department. The current 5 Year Capital Forecast should form the basis of this document. OCTOBER Review of the 5 Year Forecast by Staff and preparation of submission to Committee. NOVEMBER 5 Year Forecast* submitted to Committee for consideration. JANUARY Capital Budget for 1985 to be given detailed consideration in current budget discussions in light of guidelines, grant allocations and other funding available from general funds, reserves, and reserve funds. LATE JANUARY 5 Year Capital Budget presented to General Purpose and Administration Committee for consideration and approval. FEBRUARY Finalized 5 Year Capital Budget presented to Council for approval. *Bound, indexed and pages numbered.