HomeMy WebLinkAboutADMIN 66-83/o .5 p,5"
CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
40 TEMPERANCE STREET
BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO
Ll C 3A6
REPORT TO THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD DECEMBER 5 1983
ADMIN. 66 - 83
SUBJECT: 1984 CURRENT BUDGET AND CAPITAL FORECAST
DISCUSSION PAPER GUIDELINES
RECOMMENDATIONS:
TELEPHONE 6233379
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 the 1984
current budget and capital forecast discussion papers be endorsed.
BACKGROUND AND COMMENT:
As members of Council may be aware, staff have already begun the preparation
of material for the 1984 current budget and capital forecast discussions.
Staff meetings have been held in November and will continue to the end of
December with respect to budget matters.
The attached guidelines will allow staff to formulate draft budgets for
presentation to Committee for detailed review and discussion. The guidelines
further serve to establish consistent principles within which estimates can be
prepared for Council's consideration. The guidelines Should hot be regarded
as binding but rather a framework within which staff can prepare material
for Council's review.
Attached as Schedule "A" to the guidelines is a suggested series of meetings
for budget discussions. These meetings are for the benefit of Councillors
to familiarize themselves with the details of various budget items.
It is our intention to utilize one set of budget papers and to ensure that all
pages are clearly numbered for easy reference.
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ADMIN. 66 - 83 -2-
The budget discussions will proceed as in the past years with informal
discussions of the budget working papers by staff and Council. Such
discussions will be chaired by the sitting chairperson of the General
Purpose and Administration Committee. Notes indicating the changes
made in the budget working papers will be distributed after all such meetings.
It is suggested that prior to the first General Purpose and Administration
Committee meeting that the press be briefed on the format and contents of
the draft budget that is before Council. In conjunction with this meeting
a press release should be made identifying the general contents of the
draft document. The tentative date for the release would be February 9th 1984.
DSJ:nof
Respectfully submitted,
David S. Johnston, M.C.I.P.,
Chief Administrative Officer
et Guidelines for Discussion
t1 That the initial budget preparation proceed on a similar basis
to 1983 with all departments encouraged to stay within net
expenditure increase of 5% over the 1983 tax levy.
2) Salaries and benefits for the 1984 budget shall be calculated
based on the 1983 salary grid with any budget increase for salaries and
benefits being included in thews yet to be determined 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.
Such positions must be clearly marked as a new position.
4) Until budget discussions have been finalized any contract for part-time
staff should only be renewed until March at which time budget matters will
in all likelihood be settled.
5) All Department Heads will be required to review existing programs
and undertake the elimination of ineffective activities. No new
programs should be introduced.
6) Increases in anyuser fees may reflect actual costs but should in no case
exceed 10%. Revenue expectations should be conservative. Where fee
increases are made, the effect that such increases might have on
participation levels should be given due consideration.
7) Each Deaprtment Head is responsible for the review of any government
funding programs to establish any possible sources of financial
assistance from senior levels of government to partially off -set
the effect of the levy increase.
8) There should be a maximum 5% limit on any increase in grants and such
grants should be made on the basis of a new policy.
Schedule "A"
Suggested budget discussion meetings
Monday January )e 9
Tuesday January 17 9:30 to 12 noon
Friday
January
20
9:30
- 12:30
1:30
- 4:30
Monday
January
23
9:30
- 12 noon
Thursday
January
26
900
- 12:30
Friday
January
27
9:30 -
12:30
Monday
January
30
2:00 -
4:30
7:00 -
9 p.m.
Friday
February
3
9:30 -
12 noon
Thursday
February
9
2:00 -
4:00
Friday
February
10
Monday February 13 9:30
Monday February 20
Monday February 27
Discussion of negotiations re salary
strategy
Discussion of budgets for Mayor, Council,
Administration and Unallocated
Discussion of the Fire Department budget
Planning Department budget
Clerk's budget
Comnuntiy Services budget
Public Works budget
Grant Applications
Grant Applications
Public Works budget
Press release and budget briefing for press
Formal submission of budgets to General
Purpose and Administration Committee meeting
Possible adoption of 1984 budget by Council
G. P. & A. budget discussion if required
Final date of adoption of budget by Council
Press release