Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutADMIN-12-00 . ! ~ 1-"" . REPORT 113 ~ THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON REPORT Meeting: COUNCIL April 25 2000 ADMIN. 12-00 File # Res.# C - .;l~ \-60 Date: Report # Subject: Future Prospects of the Municipality of Clarington Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that Council approve the following: 1. That Report ADMIN.l2 - 00 be received; 2. That Council approve the contents of this report as the basis of completion of a Comprehensive Study that would provide Council with all the necessary information in order to determine the future prospects of Clarington for the benefit of all its residents. 3. That the Regional Municipality of Durham be advised that Report ADMIN. 12-00 as approved by Council of the Municipality of Clarington, represents our response to the Region of Durham pertaining to our local initiated process dealing with the issue of potential amalgamation or governance reform; and 4. That a copy of Report ADMIN. 12-00 be forwarded to all local municipalities within Durham Region, the Township of Port Hope, the Town of Port Hope, the County ofNorthurnberland, the G.T.S.B., Mr. John O'Toole, M.P.P. and, the Honourable Mr. Tony Clement, Minister of Municipal Affairs. ~ ~ ADMIN.l2-00 2 REPORT: 1. BACKGROUND 1.1 On January 11 and 12,2000, Regional Council met informally to review and discuss various issues related to govemance. This cumulated in an eight (8) points resolution passed by Regional Council on January 26, 2000. One ofthe key points contained in the resolution states: 'That recognizing the Province's direction in pursuing a reduction in the number of municipalities, the Region encourages potential amalgamations in governance reform processes to be determined by June 30, 2000, with a further report by June 30,2001". 1.2 Arising out of the above resolution, Council of the Municipality of Clarington, together with senior staff, held a study session on March 20 and 21, 2000 to discuss the local process and to determine the various tasks that need to be attended to so that a process can be put in place by June 30, 2000, and that a final report be ready by June 30, 2001. 1.3 At the conclusion of the study session, consensus was reached that Clarington has the demonstrated capacity and future growth potential to remain as a viable, separate local municipality within Durham Region. However, there was also consensus that Clarington should examine the financial impact of possible combinations with other municipalities with which is shares common interests. Accordingly, discussion with these municipalities will take place concerning possible studies in this regard. 1.4 At the study session, it was also agreed that staff would report back to Council to provide the necessary framework for: < c( .. .. ADMIN. 12-00 3 a) demonstrating the viability ofClarington, and b) developing communication strategy with our citizens. 2. PURPOSES The purposes of this report are as follows: 2.1 Outline a process to carry out various financial impact analysis, specifically as it pertains to any impact to residents of Clarington, including the retention of consultants to undertake such works; and provide an approximate timetable for completion of all studies. 2.2 Comments on the viability of Clarington, outlining the matters that will be elaborated on in a subsequent report. 2.3 Provide a communication strategy whereby our residents are to be kept informed of various governance issues. 3. FINANCIAL IMPACT ANALYSIS Fundamental to any govemance or boundary change, it is imperative that sufficient information be gathered and detailed research be carried out so that Council can make an informed decision on behalf of the common good of all its residents. In this regard, the Municipality of Clarington has commenced or is in the process of commencing the following financial impact studies. The primary objective is to determine the impact on the residents of Clarington under various partnership and/or boundary change scenarios. , J ADMIN. 12-00 4 3.1 Partnerships with Scugog, Uxbridge and Brock These three rural municipalities share common interests with the Municipality of Clarington, as each municipality possesses a large geographic land base and significant agricultural activities. Arising out of the direction of the study session, a meeting was held with representatives of these municipalities to explore possible partnerships. These three municipalities have earlier agreed among themselves to retain a consultant to study possible governance scenarios and are receptive to include Clarington in their study. The consultant firm of Randolph Group, in partnership with Enid Slack Consultant Inc. has been retained. This study will examine how levels of services will be affected as well as to determine the impact on the taxpayers of the respective municipalities. Said study is in its early stage and is tentatively scheduled for completion before the summer recess. 3.2 Partnership with Hope Township and Port Hope Although these two municipalities are not located in Durham Region and the G.T.A., they have approached Clarington to explore possible partnerships. Similar to our northern neighbouring municipalities, Clarington also shares common interests with our two eastern neighbours. Subsequently, a meeting was held with representatives from Port Hope and Hope Township to explore the possibility of funding a joint study to determine the impacts of service levels and cost implications to the tax payers. It should be noted that the Minister of Municipal Affairs has recently issued an Amalgamation Order to cause Hope Township and Port Hope to be merged into one municipality effective January 1,2001. Notwithstanding, the Order allows the Transitional Board, comprising of all the Councillors of these two municipalities, to explore partnerships and possible service realignment issues with its neighbours. As a result of the Order, it was felt that it would be premature to conduct a financial impact study at this time as the two , J . , ,~ ADMIN. 12-00 5 municipalities will need time to address their transitional issues. However, all parties agree that we should maintain continuous dialogue of possible partnership in the future. With respect to the question ofleaving the G.T.A., which is one of the conditions requested by both Port Hope and Hope Township, it was agreed that this issue not be addressed at this time. 3.3 Courtice annexed by the City of Os haw a This scenario is put forward only out of the necessity in response to past and present annexation overtures from the City of Oshawa. As a result, Council authorized a financial impact study, which commenced in the latter part oflast year. Enid Slack consultant Inc. has been retained to carry out a detailed financial analysis to determine what impact, if any, such annexation scenario would have on those residents residing in Courtice, as well as on the balance of residents in Clarington. Said study is near completion and will be fmalized in conjunction with other financial studies under other amalgamation scenarios. 3.4 The results ofthe three studies will be coordinated ensuring they will be released simultaneously and in conjunction with the Comprehensive Study on the future prospect of Clarington. 3.5 The three financial impact studies are of critical importance to determine whether or not any of the scenarios make financial sense to the residents of Clarington since the Provincial Government has indicated repeatedly that amalgamation saves taxpayers money. . . . ADMIN. 12-00 6 y 4. CLARINGTON AS A VIABLE MUNICIPALITY 4.1 Despite the fact the Municipality ofClarington is prepared to examine the financial impact of any and all possible partnerships and/or governance scenario models, it should be made absolutely clear that Clarington has the demonstrated ability, now and in the future, to be a viable municipality as it now exists as an effective and efficient local government in delivering services to our local residents. The strength ofClarington to stand on its own within a slimmed-down Regional government structure lies primarily with its: . Large Geographical size; . Healthy mix of urban communities and agricultural activities; . Common interest of various communities within its boundary; . Future potential growth, particularly in the industrial and commercial sectors; · Efficient service delivery provided by a lean administration and active community voluntarism; . Sound financial management and healthy reserves; . Accessible elected officials and staff; · Excellent quality of life enjoyed by all residents who are proud to be associated with Clarington; · Quality customer service commitment by employees, with continual performance measurement and improvement; · Continuous commitment to collaborate with Region of Durham and other municipalities to streamline service delivery such as planning approvals, insurance pooling, co-op purchasing, road maintenance, emergency communication dispatch, sharing of resources and any and all possibilities of removing duplication of services and any and all efforts at becoming more cost-efficient, etc. All of these factors and more will be elaborated on in the Comprehensive Study, inclusive of all financial impact analysis, targeted for completion in the fall of this ~ !- , '. .... ADMIN. 12-00 7 year. As information required to demonstrate Clarington's viability is readily available in our municipal departments, it would be prudent that this part of the study be carried out by in-house staff. However, assistance from consultants may be necessary as the study progresses. 5. COMMUNICATING WITH OUR RESIDENTS The decision of Council pertaining to the future prospects of Clarington must have regard to the opinion of its residents. This is a cornerstone of democracy. Council, and we believe the Provincial Government, should be so guided in their future decisions on local government reform. In order to solicit public opinion, certain principles should be established. These include full disclosure of study findings and all related information, unbiased presentation of facts, and opportunities for public debates. Following these principles, our communication strategy would include regular reporting of unfolding events related to governance issues. Various communication tools such as press release, the municipal web site, employee newsletters, newspaper advertising, and extra editions of Clarington Today could be used to convey the necessary facts and information to the residents. Upon completion of the Comprehensive Study, a series of public information forums would be held, to solicit public comments in various communities within Clarington. We believe strongly that public input on this most important matter of local government reform should only be sought after all the facts are gathered and all the analysis completed. This equally applies to any referendum that Council may deem necessary in the future. Due to the complexity of the subject matter and time requirement to coordinate and complete all studies, it is unlikely that we would be in a position to hold any information forums or undertake a referendum, if any, before the November municipal election. , " , , '- ADMIN. 12-00 8 6. RELATED MATTERS Two related matters on governance that should be included in the Comprehensive Study are outlined below. 6.1 Relationship with the Greater Toronto Services Board (GTSB) Clarington is currently a member municipality within the GTSB. Prior to its formation, Clarington has requested the Provincial Government to include in the GTSB legislation, a provision that would allow for the GTSB fringe municipalities to opt out As the GTSB is currently under review, it is important that this issue does not get overlooked amidst other major issues. As Clarington is unlikely to be in a position to address this issue in the absence of the completion of our comprehensive study and be able to decide on the future prospect of Clarington prior to the completion of the GTSB review by the end of the year, it is imperative that the current provision to allow for opting out not be affected by any future amendment to the GTSB Act Our Solicitor has advised that in the event that opting out becomes a reality, the GTSB Act would have to be amended. This issue need not be addressed at this time. However, what is of paramount importance to Clarington at this time, is that this opting out alternative remains open to Clarington in the event the future prospects of Clarington requires it ~ ,. '. ADMIN. 12-00 9 ,. 6.2 Fewer politicians As the Provincial Government has repeatedly asserted that fewer politicians would save taxpayers dollars, it is incumbent on Clarington to review this issue as part of the Comprehensive Study, even though we may not necessarily agree that such assertion is correct. There is no suggestion at this time as to how this issue will be addressed. However, the pros and cons of reducing the number of elected officials in Clarington will be examined, both in terms of representation on Clarington Council and on Regional Council, as well as on any possible amalgamated Council model. 7. CONCLUSION Clarington does not necessarily agree with the Province advocating that amalgamation would lead to: fewer municipal politicians, lower taxes, better, more efficient service delivery, less bureaucracy, clear line of responsibility and better accountability. In fact, one could argue that amalgamations will result in bigger government, more bureaucracy, and reduce accessibility and accountability. Clarington does agree with the principles of lower taxes, efficient service delivery, less bureaucracy and better accoWltability and believes these are the areas where we should focus our attention as opposed to amalgamation. Therefore, in conjunction with our study to demonstrate Clarington's viability, we will also document how these principles have been and/or will be met. The content ofthis report sets out Clarington's processes and all the matters that will be reviewed in addressing the issue of governance reform. The " ADMIN. 12-00 10 Comprehensive Study referred to in the recommendation, inclusive of all financial impact studies, will be completed by the fall of this year. It should be noted that the Comprehensive Study only represents one milestone in the locally initiated process. The information contained in the Study will be used in the public consultation process, leading to a decision by the Council prior to submission of the final report and recommendations to the Region of Durham before June 30, 2001. Respectfully submitted, cJ\~-~ Franklin Wu, Chief Administrative Officer FW:nof