![Regular Council Meeting [7:00 P.M.] - Tuesday, April 28, 2020 [] Teleconference](http://data.docslib.org/img/753d9cacebf45cdb06f13b60001270cf-1.webp)
AGENDA Regular Council Meeting [7:00 p.m.] - Tuesday, April 28, 2020 [] Teleconference
Teleconference Details: Dial: 519 -518-3600 Enter Access Code: 331398
Page
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
3. PUBLIC RECOGNITION / PRESENTATIONS
None
4. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
5. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S)
5 - 10 5.1. March 5, 2020 – Operating Budget
11 - 19 5.2. April 14, 2020
6. PUBLIC MEETINGS / HEARINGS
6.1 The Municipal Act
None
6.2 The Drainage Act
None
6.3 The Planning Act
Page 1 of 73 None
6.4 Other
None
7. DELEGATIONS
None
8. CORRESPONDENCE
20 - 45 8.1. Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: 2020 Approved Budget Re: Agenda and Reports – April 28, 2020 Meeting http://thamesriver.on.ca/wp-content/uploads//Publications/BOD-agenda- April28-2020.pdf
46 8.2. Long Point Region Conservation Authority Re: LPRCA Campgrounds – May 1st Opening Date Delayed
47 8.3. Ontario Provincial Police Re: March / April Invoice Disruption
48 - 49 8.4. Town of Tillsonburg Re: Carbon Tax – Request for Rollback
50 - 60 8.5. Township of Mapleton Re: Request for Review of Farm Property Class Tax Rate Program Re: Wellington County Committee Report
61 8.6. Oxford Community Foundation Re: Heroes Amongst Us
62 - 65 8.7. AMO COVID-19 Update Re: Municipal Fiscal Issues and Other items of Municipal Interest
Page 2 of 73
9. COMMITTEE MINUTES
66 - 67 9.1. Business Improvement Association Board Re: Meeting Minutes – March 3, 2020
10. REPORTS
10.1 Planning and Development Services
None
10.2 Fire and Protective Services
No Report
10.3 Drainage Services
No Report
10.4 Building Services
No Report
10.5 Public Works Services
68 - 70 10.5.1 2020 Additional Pulverizing and Paving Report PW 2020-09
10.6 Community Development Services
No Report
10.7 Medical Centre Services
No Report
10.8 Financial Services
No Report
10.9 Administration Services
71 10.9.1 Inter-Community Transit Project Update Memorandum
Page 3 of 73 11. NOTICE(S) OF MOTION
None
12. CLOSED SESSION
None
13. BY-LAWS
72 - 73 13.1. No. 23-2020 To Confirm All Actions and Proceedings of Council
14. ADJOURNMENT
Page 4 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #5.1.
THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF NORWICH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – OPERATING BUDGET THURSDAY MARCH 5, 2020
IN ATTENDANCE:
COUNCIL: Mayor Martin Councillor Scholten Councillor DePlancke Councillor Palmer Councillor Dale
STAFF: Kyle Kruger, CAO / Clerk Mike Legge, Director of Finance James Johnson, Director of Finance Paul Groeneveld, Director of Fire and Protective Services Brad Smale, Manager of Building Services Marty Lenaers, Public Works Superintendent A.J. Wells, Manager of Medical Services Patrick Hovorka, Director of Community Development Services Jodi Morrison, Deputy Treasurer Kimberley Armstrong, Deputy Clerk 1. CALL TO ORDER The budget session of the 2018-2022 Council of the Township of Norwich was held in the Council Chambers, Norwich, Ontario commencing at 10:16 a.m. with Mayor Martin in the Chair.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Resolution #1 Moved by John Scholten, seconded by Lynne DePlancke;
That the Agenda be accepted as presented.
Carried
3. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST No disclosures were reported.
March 5, 2020 – Operating Budget Page 5 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #5.1. Council Meeting Minutes - Budget March 5, 2020 Page 2 of 6
4. INTRODUCTIONS Mr. Legge spoke to the teamwork involved in preparing the operating budget, advising that it retains the current service levels.
4.1 Impacts to the 2020 Operating Budget Mr. Legge provided an overview of impacts to the current budget, including: OMPF funding, benefit package increase, OPP Policing cost decrease, no Cannabis legalization funding, decrease in Insurance renewal, full impact of joint training officer position, volunteer firefighter wage phase-in, increase in asphalt patching, gravel resurfacing, fuel, signs as well as legal and consulting expenses related to a Heritage Designation appeal.
4.2 Overall Municipal Levy Mr. Legge advised that the increase in Operating and Capital would result in a 4.48% increase, however when you remove the assessment growth of 2.09%, it results in a 2.39% impact to the tax payers.
5 OPERATING BUDGET
5.1 2020 Operating Budget Package Mr. Legge provided an overview of operating expenditures and revenues, advising that total operating expenditures are at a 4.03 % increase.
In response to questions, Mr. Legge advised that the municipality received $594,000 from the Provincial Government for efficiency activities. To date, $20,000 has been spent on the Countywide Service Delivery Review and $10,000 on the joint Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan
5.2 General Government Mr. Johnson highlighted the 1.39% increase in the Community Grants section, cyber training, software needs and explained that the line items under Professional Services is for the Voter View Software licensing fee. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Kruger explained that although the Province is changing who will be providing the source information for the voters list, it will still be the municipalities preparing the actual list. He also explained that the software used for other election management activities.
There was Council discussion about the OGRA and ROMA conferences, Health and Safety Committee training requirements and Police Service Board training.
5.3 Protective Services Chief Groeneveld provided an overview of the proposed budget, highlighting: fleet maintenance, rope rescue trainer training, aerial truck training will also be required in 2021 which will be provided by the supplier. 2019 had the lowest calls in five years, so the 2020 budget was based on a five-year average. By-law salaries have been reduced due to the use of municipal law enforcement officers.
March 5, 2020 – Operating Budget Page 6 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #5.1. Council Meeting Minutes - Budget March 5, 2020 Page 3 of 6
In response to questions, it was explained that the total costs for the Joint Training Officer are shown and then the Township is reimbursed under revenue. Postage for By-law Enforcement can now be tracked through the postage machine so will be more accurate in the future
Mr. Johnson advised that the Policing costs have decreased as a result of our lower calls for service.
Mr. Smale explained that departmental reconfiguration of job descriptions and salary adjustment are included within the budget and also funds for contract services established for the purposes of future large project and possible professional services for project review. Mr. Smale also advised that ongoing training is required in anticipation Provincial proposals.
5.4 Transportation Mr. Leaners highlighted several items, including: a new purchasing program through AMO, changes to grass mowing and weed control with the purchase of our own equipment, increase in costs for gravel, asphalt, fuel, oil and replacement of stolen signs. In response to questions of Council, Mr. Lenaers advised that the public works department are finally retaining ten employees and this enables them to carryout the asphalt patching, ditching and brushing.
Mr. Legge explained that the budget for winter control has been increased because a lot of the large winter events seemed to be happening on weekends and statutory holidays, which increases the wages for overtime. There is also a requirement to bolster winter patrols.
Mr. Smale advised that an increase to the Drainage Superintendent grant is expected this year and that this is the first year there is not an extra $20,000 included for drainage works. Mr. Johnson explained that drainage costs have substantially increased and that there are billings to go out for maintenance and construction. However, sometimes the administrative cost to pursue payment is more than the amount of the works so those are wrote-off.
There was Council discussion about the costs attributed to the municipality by the engineers during preparation of drainage reports and the recent increase in coefficients included within drainage reports.
5.5 Health Services Mr. Wells provided an overview of health service expenses related to staff changes, highlighting better telephone rates and a rental income decrease due to the Thames Valley Midwives relocating.
In response to questions from Council, Mr. Wells advised that a private donation of $1000 was received and put into reserves for future capital works. Past donations have been used for the generator, new furniture and the covered entrance.
March 5, 2020 – Operating Budget Page 7 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #5.1. Council Meeting Minutes - Budget March 5, 2020 Page 4 of 6
Mr. Hovorka advised that the fencing installation scheduled last year for the Summerville Cemetery was not completed, so will be done in 2020.
5.6 Recreation and Culture Mr. Hovorka provided an overview of the proposed budget including: required maintenance to the Bee Hive house at Woodlawn, playground mulch to top-up depth of surface material, resurfacing ball diamonds, good prices received on the grass cutting tender, expense of water for splashpads and pool, increase in Norwich Arena hydro cost and a decrease in advertising revenues.
Mr. Hovorka highlighted several projects, including; installation of blinds, restoration of flooring at the Springford Hall and that staff are going to do some masonry work to the bricks at the Pioneer Rooms.
Mr. Legge commented that the budget for ROEDC has increased again. He advised that this is the sixth full year of operation and the costs continue to increase annually.
5.6.1 Woodlawn Board of Management - Proposed 2019 Budget
5.7 Possible Service Level Increase Mr. Legge advised that the asphalt budget is not adequate to meet the Asset Management Plan requirements and based on that, staff are suggesting funds be added to this program. If a reserve is created, then staff can accomplish projects as time and weather allow.
In response to Council questions, Mr. Lenaers explained that the constant freeze and thaw cycle during mild winters is very difficult on the roads.
5.8 Overall Estimated Tax Payer Impacts (Residential and Farmland) Mr. Legge provided an overview of the proposed budget and the service level increase with the estimated tax payer impacts for both farmlands and residential properties. Increases are reflective of the MPAC assessment schedule.
5.8 Required Disclosure Re: Budget Implications Report FS 2020-01 Resolution #2 Moved by Lynne DePlancke, seconded by John Scholten;
That Report No. FS 2020-01, Required Disclosure Re: Budget Impacts, be received as information and approved.
Carried
Resolution #3 Moved by John Scholten, seconded by Lynne DePlancke;
March 5, 2020 – Operating Budget Page 8 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #5.1. Council Meeting Minutes - Budget March 5, 2020 Page 5 of 6
That the 2020 Township of Norwich Operating Budget be adopted with the following amendments: add the level of service increase to the asphalt program in the amount of $50,000.
Carried
6. BY-LAWS I No. 14-2020 To Confirm All Actions and Proceedings of Council
6.1 FIRST AND SECOND READING OF BY-LAW I Resolution #4 Moved by Alan Dale, seconded by Jim Palmer;
That By-law I as listed, be introduced and taken as read a first and second time.
No. 14-2020 To Confirm All Actions and Proceedings of Council
Carried
6.2 THIRD READING OF BY-LAW I Resolution #5 Moved by Jim Palmer, seconded by Alan Dale;
That By-law 14-2020, be taken as read a third and final time and passed and signed by the Mayor and Clerk and the Corporate Seal be affixed thereto.
Carried
14. ADJOURNMENT – 12:32 p.m. Resolution #6 Moved by Alan Dale, seconded by Jim Palmer;
Carried
THESE MINUTES ADOPTED BY WAY OF RESOLUTION NO. 2 AS APPROVED BY COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING ON THE --- DAY OF ---- 2020.
______MAYOR LARRY MARTIN
March 5, 2020 – Operating Budget Page 9 of 73 That this Council do now adjourn. AGENDA ITEM #5.1. Council Meeting Minutes - Budget March 5, 2020 Page 6 of 6
______KYLE KRUGER CAO / CLERK
March 5, 2020 – Operating Budget Page 10 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #5.2.
THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF NORWICH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - TELECONFERENCE TUESDAY APRIL 14, 2020
IN ATTENDANCE:
COUNCIL: Mayor Larry Martin Councillor Scholten Councillor DePlancke Councillor Palmer Councillor Dale
STAFF: Kyle Kruger, CAO / Clerk Mike Legge, Director of Finance Paul Groeneveld, Director of Fire and Protective Services Brad Smale, Manager of Building Services Marty Lenaers, Public Works Superintendent Patrick Hovorka, Director of Community Development Services James Johnson, Deputy Treasurer Kimberley Armstrong, Deputy Clerk
1. CALL TO ORDER The regular session of the 2018-2022 Council of the Township of Norwich was held by teleconference, commencing at 9:00 a.m. with Mayor Martin presiding.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Resolution #1 Moved by Jim Palmer, seconded by John Scholten;
That the Agenda be accepted as presented.
Carried
April 14, 2020 Page 11 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #5.2. Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2020 Page 2 of 9
3. PUBLIC RECOGNITION / PRESENTATIONS None
4. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST No disclosures were reported.
5. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S) 5.2 March 10, 2020 5.3 April 14, 2020 Resolution #2 Moved by Alan Dale, seconded by John Scholten;
That the following Minutes of the Township of Norwich Council be adopted as printed and circulated:
March 10, 2020 April 7, 2020 – Special Emergency Meeting
Carried
6. PUBLIC MEETINGS / HEARINGS 6.1 The Municipal Act None
6.2 The Drainage Act None
6.3 The Planning Act None
6.4 Other None
7. DELEGATIONS None
8. CORRESPONDENCE 8.1 Long Point Region Conservation Authority Re: Meeting Minutes – February 5, 2020 Re: 2019 Annual Report & 2019 Financial Statements
8.2 City of Woodstock Re: Request for Provincial Public Library Funding Re: Input – Leading Oxford to 100% Housed Future
8.3 County of Norfolk
April 14, 2020 Page 12 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #5.2. Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2020 Page 3 of 9
Re: Issues Regarding the Mapping of Provincially Significant Wetlands
8.4 County of Grey Re: Grey County Council Resolution Supporting 100% Canadian Wines Excise Exemption
8.5 United Way Oxford COVID-19 Response
8.6 ERTH Re: 15th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
8.7 Municipality of Chatham-Kent Re: Support of Legislative Changes in Bill 132
8.8 Essex Re: Time of Use Billing
8.9 Town of Grimsby Re: Suspend Time of Use Electricity Billing
8.10 Corporation of the Town of Midland Re: Direct Payment of Federal Funds to Municipalities to Waive Property Taxes Resolution #3 Moved by Alan Dale, seconded by John Scholten;
That the Correspondence as listed in Agenda Items 8.1 to 8.10 be received as information.
And further that agenda item 8.3 from the County of Norfolk be supported Carried
9. COMMITTEE MINUTES 9.1 Woodlawn Adult Community Centre Board Re: Meeting minutes – March 4, 2020
9.2 Police Service Board Re: Meeting Minutes – February 19, 2020
9.3 Canada Day Committee Re: Meeting Minutes – March 2, 2020 Resolution #4 Moved by Jim Palmer, seconded by Lynne DePlancke;
April 14, 2020 Page 13 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #5.2. Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2020 Page 4 of 9
That the following Committee Minutes, be received as information; and further that the recommendations be approved and acted upon:
Woodlawn Adult Community Centre Board Re: Meeting minutes – March 4, 2020
Police Service Board Re: Meeting Minutes – February 19, 2020
Canada Day Committee Re: Meeting Minutes – March 2, 2020
Carried
10 REPORTS 10.1 Planning and Development Services None
10.2 Fire and Protective Services 10.2.1 March 2020 Monthly Activities Report FP 2020-09 Resolution #5 Moved by John Scholten, seconded by Lynne DePlancke;
That Report FP 2020-09 March 2020 Monthly Activities, be received as information.
Carried
10.3 Drainage Services 10.3.1 March 2020 Drainage Report Report DR 2020-10 In response to questions from Council, Mr. Smale advised that continuity of drainage services pursuant to COVID-19 have been deemed essential. However, we are unsure if the contractors are able to proceed in accordance with Provincial direction regarding distancing etc.
Resolution #6 Moved by Jim Palmer, seconded by Lynne DePlancke;
That Report DR 2020-10, March 2020 Activity Report, be received as information.
Carried
10.4 Building Services 10.4.1 March 2020 Building Report
April 14, 2020 Page 14 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #5.2. Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2020 Page 5 of 9
Report BB 2020-04 In response to questions, Mr. Smale advised that in accordance with the revised essential business list issued by the Province, residential construction that is under permit as of April 4th can continue and new single detached dwelling issued after April 4th cannot proceed with construction at this time. There have also recently been provisions released regarding agricultural construction.
Resolution #7 Moved by John Scholten, seconded by Jim Palmer;
That Report BB 2020-04, March 2020 Building Report, be received as information.
Carried
10.5 Public Works Services 10.5.1 Progress Report for March Report PW 2020-06 Resolution #8 Moved by Alan Dale, seconded by Jim Palmer;
That Report PW-2020-06 Progress Report for March 2020, be received as information.
Carried
10.5.2 Bridge 37 Rehabilitation Report PW 2020-07 Resolution #9 Moved by Jim Palmer, seconded by John Scholten;
That Report PW-2020-7, Bridge 37 Rehabilitation Report be received as information and further that the bid from Theo Vanderberk Construction be accepted and staff authorized to proceed with this project.
Carried
10.5.3 2020 Pulverizing and Paving Report PW 2020-08 Resolution #10 Moved by Alan Dale, seconded by Jim Palmer;
That Report PW-2020-08 Pulverizing and Paving, be received as information and further that the bid from Permanent Paving for the 2020 Pulverizing and Paving contract be accepted, including the provisional Burgess Street paving.
Carried
April 14, 2020 Page 15 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #5.2. Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2020 Page 6 of 9
10.6 Community Development Services 10.6.1 Monthly Activities Report CDS 2020-04 Resolution #11 Moved by John Scholten, seconded by Lynne DePlancke;
That Report CDS 2020-04, Monthly Activities, be received as information.
Carried
10.7 Medical Centre Services 10.7.1 Medical Centre March 2020 Activity Report Report MED 2020-07 Resolution #12 Moved by Alan Dale, seconded by Jim Palmer;
That Report MED 2020-07, Medical Centre March 2020 Activity Report, be received as information.
Carried
10.8 Financial Services The Mayor and members of Council thanked Mr, Legge for his years of hard work and wished him well in his retirement.
10.8.1 Tax Sale – 73 Stover Street South, Norwich Report FS 2020-05 In response to questions from Council, Mr. Legge advised that this property is similar to the former tire dump site and taxes will annually be written off. Staff should continue to check with the Registry Office to see if the Federal lien is renewed on the property in the future. The building will eventually become a property standards/safety issue and possibly need to be demolished.
Resolution #13 Moved by John Scholten, seconded by Jim Palmer;
That Report No. FS 2018-09, Tax Sale – 73 Stover Street South, be received for the information of Council and further that Council grant approval to write-off the taxes related to the property at 73 Stover Street South, Norwich.
Carried
10.8.2 Year End Summary of Reserves and Reserve Funds Report FS 2020-06 Resolution #14 Moved by Alan Dale, seconded by Lynne DePlancke;
April 14, 2020 Page 16 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #5.2. Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2020 Page 7 of 9
THAT Report No. FS 2020-06, along with its 2 attachments, be received as information and that the reserve transfers presented in this report be approved as part of the 2019 year-end process.
Carried
10.8.3 Council Financial Summary as at March 31, 2020 Report FS 2020-07 Mr. Johnson advised Council that staff are tracking any expenses or savings resultant from the COVID-19 pandemic and will be reporting back to Council on budget implications at a later date. At this time Norwich Township is allowing residents to delay their PAP payments, delaying letters to individuals in a tax sale position and delayed sending out drainage bills in an effort to help those affected by COVID related job loss.
Resolution #15 Moved by John Scholten, seconded by Alan Dale;
That Report FS 2020-07, Council Financial Summary as at March 31, 2020 be received as information.
Carried
10.9 Administrative Services 10.9.1 Request from Norwich Merchants Jr. C Hockey Club Re: Permission to Operate a Licensed Beer Garden Resolution #16 Moved by Jim Palmer, seconded by Lynne DePlancke;
That the Norwich Merchant Hockey Club be granted permission to utilize a portion of Pitcher Street for their event on July 3, 2020 as part of Nostalgia Days; subject to the requirements of the Municipal Alcohol Policy and necessary Special Occasion Permit.
And Further That Pitcher Street from Main Street West to Front Street be closed to vehicular traffic for the duration of the Norwich Merchants Jr. C Hockey Club licenced beer garden;
Carried
10.9.2 Norwich Wastewater Service – Class EA Study Memorandum Resolution #17 Moved by Alan Dale, seconded by Lynne DePlancke;
April 14, 2020 Page 17 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #5.2. Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2020 Page 8 of 9
That Memorandum – Norwich Wastewater Service – Class EA Study and Oxford County Report PW 2020-10 - Norwich Wastewater Treatment Plant – Class EA Study Project Update, both be received as information;
And Further that Oxford County Council again be requested to initiate the Norwich Wastewater Treatment Plant - Class Environmental Assessment Study Update immediately.
Carried
10.9.3 County Council Composition and Election of Head of Council (Warden) Review Oxford County Report CS 2020-11 Resolution #18 Moved by John Scholten, seconded by Jim Palmer;
That Oxford County Report CS 2020-11 – County Council Composition and Election of Head of Council (Warden) Review, be received,
And That County Council be advised that the Township of Norwich supports retaining the current County Council composition and selection of Warden.
Carried
10.9.4 Council Meeting Schedule Re: COVID-19 Response Mr. Kruger advised that the Province has now indicated that consideration is being given to using electronic and virtual channels for public meeting purposes and perhaps the meeting schedule should stay status quo until more details are available.
Resolution #19 Moved by John Scholten, seconded by Lynne DePlancke;
That the regular meeting schedule of the Council of the Township of Norwich; continue as previously approved.
Carried
11. NOTICE(S) OF MOTION None
12. CLOSED SESSION None
13. BY-LAWS I No. 21-2020 To Appoint a Director of Finance / Treasurer
April 14, 2020 Page 18 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #5.2. Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2020 Page 9 of 9
II No. 22-2020 To Confirm All Actions and Proceedings of Council 13.1 FIRST AND SECOND READING OF BY-LAWS I AND II Resolution #20 Moved by Jim Palmer, seconded by Alan Dale;
That By-laws I and II as listed, be introduced and taken as read a first and second time.
No. 21-2020 To Appoint a Director of Finance / Treasurer No. 22-2020 To Confirm All Actions and Proceedings of Council
Carried
13.2 THIRD READING OF BY-LAW Resolution #21 Moved by Jim Palmer, seconded by Alan Dale;
That By-laws 21-2020 and 22-2020 be taken as read a third and final time and passed and signed by the Mayor and Clerk and the Corporate Seal be affixed thereto.
Carried
14. ADJOURNMENT 10:32 a.m. Resolution #22 Moved by John Scholten, seconded by Alan Dale;
That this Council do now adjourn.
Carried
THESE MINUTES ADOPTED BY WAY OF RESOLUTION NO. 2 AS APPROVED BY COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING ON THE 28th DAY OF APRIL, 2020.
______MAYOR LARRY MARTIN
______KYLE KRUGER CAO / CLERK
April 14, 2020 Page 19 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.1.
2020 APPROVED BUDGET Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
February 20, 2020
Upper1424 Thames Clarke RiverRoad, Conservation London, ON Area N5V Re: 5B9 UTRCA / 519-451-2800 2020 Budget / Re:infoline@ 2020 Appr...thamesriver.on.caPage / www.thamesriver.on.ca 20 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.1. 2020 UTRCA Approved Budget February 20, 2020
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority’s (UTRCA) 2020 Approved Budget serves as both a management and governance tool. It is prepared on the basis of expenses inclusive of depreciation, and all deferred revenues which may be available for use in the year in order to clearly see the funding positions of all programs. The current funding environment in which the UTRCA operates requires ever-increasing levels of scrutiny as well as an attitude best described as ‘contingency.’ Funding uncertainty also requires flexibility and multiple scenario evaluation.
In summary, the 2020 approved operating budget expenses are estimated at $15,890,487, representing a 1.9% decrease from 2019. ‘Transfers from reserves’ have been specifically avoided as a way to balance our costs in 2020 to ensure transparency; the result is a $376,054 deficit in operations. 3. Transfer Payment Recovery: The operating budget includes $1,221,973 of non-cash During 2019, the UTRCA absorbed the $169,802 of in-year depreciation expenses as well. These annual depreciation costs - provincial funding cuts rather than create a special levy. In 2020, the consumption of asset values - are greater than the projected that value is included in the municipal levy as it supports critical deficit. As a result, while an operating deficit is anticipated on flood control efforts. This transfer payment recovery an accrued expense basis, the UTRCA will still experience a contributes 3.2% of the total 6.2% increase and is a key cash surplus of $885,919 from operations through 2020. While driver of the total municipal funding increase. depreciation is not the only type of expense which contributes to the operating deficit, it is significant (i.e., 8% of total expenses) 4. Flood Control Activities: and results from past capital spending decisions. While the UTRCA and affected municipalities have benefitted greatly from federal funding over the last three years, the From a capital budget perspective, 2020 will see a capital levy National Disaster Mitigation Program funding pool will cease increase of 54.1% as a result of significant federal funding early in 2020. This will necessitate a return to earlier levels of available (Disaster Mitigation & Adaptation Fund $10M over staffing in many cases and, while it impacts spending, it will also 10 years maximum) and extensive work on City of London impact services and program capacity. dykes. This large percentage increase highlights again how the two types of activities, operating and capital spending, are 5. City of London Growth Assessment Funding: dramatically different and are best addressed separately. The As a direct result of growth pressures, the UTRCA has applied for approved capital summary indicates a capital spending deficit additional growth assessment funding from the City of London of $219,498, less than half of $487,624 in 2019. to support three positions in the Environmental Planning and Regulations unit. Modifications in the level of London’s planning 2020 Budget Drivers services have required new dedicated funding from the City. 1. Environmental Targets Strategic Plan: While approval of this funding is uncertain, it is included in the In consideration of municipal financial challenges, year four of approved budget. the new Environmental Targets levy has been included to only 25% of the original strategic plan. This amount represents 1.5% 6. Line by Line Cost Savings Audits: of the 6.2% operating levy increase. During 2019, staff took steps to review the costs of some services. New rates and services for merchant transactions (Visa 2. Changes to CVA (Current Value Assessment): and Mastercard) were negotiated to keep processing costs New assessment values provided by the Province in September down. The estimated savings for 2020 is $10,700. A second again shift the levy burden to more rural municipalities, as farm audit of tax recovery yielded no further recovery is possible. A land values are increasing faster than other land use categories. third audit of voice and data communication services across The UTRCA has no ability to influence or adjust this Provincial the organization is underway. funding allocation system.
2020 Approved Budget Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: 2020 Appr... Page 21 of 73 1 AGENDA ITEM #8.1. 2020 Approved Budget: Summary February 20, 2020
2020 Approved Operating Budget ($15,204,396) 100 58% - Self Generated $8,877,648 (fees, donations, sponsorships, contracts)
80 % of CVA Levy County of Oxford 16.6248% $879,521 City of London 64.4956% $3,707,551 Township of Lucan Biddulph 0.3277% $15,647 37% Municipality of Thames Centre 3.2126% $158,684 60 Total Municipal Municipality of Middlesex Centre 2.3441% $111,922 Operating Levy City of Stratford 7.2473% $382,017 $5,608,688 Township of Perth East 1.4206% $70,466 (includes general levy Township of West Perth 1.4523% $110,735 + dam & ood control Town of St. Marys 1.4767% $91,299 40 levy) Township of Perth South 1.1961% $57,081 Municipality of South Huron 0.2023% $9,654 Township of Zorra 0 $8,500* Township of South-West Oxford 0 $5,610* TOTAL 100% $5,608,688 20 *The dam levy is applied directly as these municipalities are the sole bene ciaries of the structures. 5% - Province of Ontario $718,060 0 (drinking water source protection, ood protection)
The formula that determines each municipality’s share the municipal share by applying for grants from foundations, (percentage) of the levy reflects the assessed value of each generating funds from user fees, entering into contracts and municipality’s land within the watershed, as set out in the obtaining sponsorships from the private sector. Conservation Authorities Act. The Province provides these assessed values (Current Value Assessment or CVA) annually. In the approved operating budget, the UTRCA leverages the 37% funded by municipalities into another 58% of funding to The municipal levy is the most important funding received support a broad range of services for watershed residents as by the Conservation Authority as this investment allows the directed by the Board of Directors. Authority to obtain and retain staff expertise. Staff leverage
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: 2020 Appr... Page 22 of 73 2 AGENDA ITEM #8.1. 2020 Approved Budget: Summary February 20, 2020
Operating Budget 2020 2019 2020 % Incr Forecast Budget (decr) Notes (see page 4 for list of acronyms) REVENUES: New Levy Funding Municipal General Levy 3,963,386 4,113,335 3.8% Assessment Growth Levy - 310,037 100.0% Dam and Flood Control Levy 1,286,282 1,461,675 13.6% Operating Reserve Levy 33,048 33,678 1.9% 5,282,716 5,918,725 12.0% Amortized Levy from previous years Municipal General Levy 512 239,794 46746.7% Targets levies carried forward Flood Control Levy 59,755 78,062 30.6% Maintenance Levy 65,847 42,745 -35.1% 126,114 360,601 185.9%
MNRF Transfer Payment 181,213 181,217 0.0% Continued 50% funding reduction from MNRF
Contracts and Grants Municipal within Watershed 975,651 894,351 -8.3% Municipal outside Watershed 107,340 73,340 -31.7% Provincial 761,759 635,591 -16.6% Provincial contract reductions in most units Federal 1,367,515 464,599 -66.0% NDMP completing in early 2020 All Other 1,634,550 1,792,482 9.7% 4,846,815 3,860,363 -20.4% User Fees and Other Revenues Conservation Areas 3,664,079 3,709,056 1.2% Fees have been adjusted for volume not price Planning and Permit Fees 275,000 315,000 14.5% Fees may yet be changed Education Fees 184,500 125,000 -32.2% Reorientation to Targets activities Landowner, tree sales, cost recoveries 214,800 166,500 -22.5% 4,338,379 4,315,556 -0.5% Other Revenues From deferred revenues 762,277 582,621 -23.6% Donations, interest and gains 518,250 295,350 -43.0% Investment gains are only modestly estimated 1,280,527 877,971 -31.4%
Funding from Reserves 65,304 - 0.0% TOTAL REVENUES 16,121,068 15,514,433 -3.8%
EXPENDITURES: Mission Cost Centres Water & Information Management 2,738,311 2,726,437 -0.4% Environmental Planning & Regulations 1,866,117 2,253,972 20.8% Reflects increasing regulatory and planning work Conservation Services 2,182,862 1,933,988 -11.4% Watershed Planning, Research & Monitoring 1,065,518 1,120,434 5.2% Conservation Areas 4,460,724 4,496,269 0.8% Lands & Facilities 1,681,887 1,746,540 3.8% Community Partnerships 1,504,513 1,301,859 -13.5% Reductions for education programs Service Cost Centres 215,153 257,310 19.6% 15% insurance increases estimated Program Operating Expenditures 15,715,085 15,836,809 0.8%
Desired Transfer to Reserves 435,884 53,678 -87.7% Operating reserve, WCC building and HR reserves TOTAL EXPENDITURES 16,150,969 15,890,487 -1.6%
NET SURPLUS (DEFICIT) (29,901) (376,054) Depreciation Expense 1,070,227 1,221,973 14.2% Includes estimated depreciation for 2020 spending
CASH SURPLUS (DEFICIT) 1,040,326 845,919 Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: 2020 Appr... Page 23 of 73 3 AGENDA ITEM #8.1. 2020 Approved Budget: Summary February 20, 2020
Capital Budget 2020 2019 2020 Forecast Budget Notes (see below for list of acronyms) Capital Funding for Flood Control Flood Control Capital Levy 2,079,604 2,700,881 Federal - NDMP 76,227 - Federal - DMAF - 2,988,000 Provincial - WECI 2,137,937 125,000 Funding deferred - - Funding from reserves 168,288 157,508 Total Capital Funding for Flood Control 4,462,056 5,971,389
Capital Projects Dam Safety Reviews - 23,808 Wages only for Safety Reviews Fanshawe Dam 20,006 50,000 Safety Review Wildwood Dam 175,007 301,591 Motor control centre replacement, Safety Review Pittock Dam 115,007 81,232 Erosion control, Safety Review London Dykes 3,372,249 5,483,508 Significant work funded by DMAF on City of London dykes St Marys Flood Wall 485,515 - RT Orr Dam 100,021 - Mitchell Dam 30,005 - Small Dams 109,561 64,374 Fullarton, Harrington and Embro Dams Flood Control Equipment 135,000 - Transfer to Structure Reserves 125,000 - Total Flood Control Capital Spending 4,667,371 6,004,513
Net Flood Control Capital Budget (205,315) (33,124)
Capital Funding for Other Capital needs Capital Maintenance Levy 171,690 175,126 From other Reserves 330,259 - 501,949 175,126
Land 104,258 - Land Improvements 86,000 115,000 Molok waste containers, accessible trail, swimming pool Buildings and Building Systems 112,000 - improvements Infrastructure 50,000 40,000 PCA road improvement Furniture and Fixtures 87,000 30,000 Water heaters for WCA washrooms Vehicles and Equipment 255,000 109,000 2 pick ups, 1 gator Tenchology Equipment 90,000 67,500 Digital air photos (5 year), servers 784,258 361,500
Net Other Capital Budget (282,309) (186,374)
Surplus (Deficit) in Captial Spending Activities (487,624) (219,498)
List of Acronyms DMAF - Disaster Mitigation & Adaptation Fund (federal) SWP - Source Water Protection FCA - Fanshawe ConservationArea WCA - Wildwood ConservationArea MNRF - Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry (provincial) WCC - Watershed Conservation Centre NDMP - National Disaster Mitigation Program (federal) WECI - Water & Erosion Control Infrastructure (provincial) PCA - Pittock ConservationArea
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: 2020 Appr... Page 24 of 73 4 AGENDA ITEM #8.1. 2020 Approved Budget February 20, 2020
All Units, All Activities
Change 2019 2020 from last Forecast Budget year Notes (see page 4 for list of acronyms) Revenues Reflects significant capital increases for City of London dykes, Municipal Levies 7,660,124 9,155,333 19.5% transfer payment reduction, plus 25% of Env. Targets Year 4 Government Transfer Payments 181,213 181,217 0.0% 50% cut already experienced Contracts 7,195,980 6,973,363 -3.1% User Fees 4,338,379 4,315,556 -0.5% All Others incl deferred amounts 1,844,378 1,035,479 -43.9% Donations and investment gains are conservatively estimated Total Revenues 21,220,073 21,660,947 2.1%
Operating Expenses Wages, Benefits, Per Diems 9,840,604 10,200,803 3.7% Some consulting is now staffed Training 104,420 112,300 7.5% Legal, Audit, Insurance 368,689 402,285 9.1% Services 1,551,160 862,986 -44.4% Computers, Property and Utilities 5,559,128 7,714,332 38.8% Corresponds to City of London dykes projects Supplies 1,481,611 1,160,664 -21.7% Flow Through Expenses 280,861 165,715 -41.0% Depreciation Expenses 1,070,227 1,221,973 14.2% Allocated Costs 756 264 -65.1% Total Operating Expenses 20,257,456 21,841,322 7.8%
Desired Transfers to Reserves 560,884 53,678 -90.4% LIttle funding for future reserve use
Other Capital Spending 784,258 361,500 -53.9% See page 4
Surplus (deficit) (382,525) (595,552)
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: 2020 Appr... Page 25 of 73 5 AGENDA ITEM #8.1. 2020 Approved Flood Control Capital Levy February 20, 2020
The UTRCA operates and manages a number of water and With the plan in place, the UTRCA is able to leverage the municipal erosion control structures on behalf of its member municipalities. contributions to pursue senior government funding support for The operation and maintenance costs for these structures are specific projects. The long term cost projections are also used to apportioned to municipalities on a beneficiary pays basis. The lobby senior levels of government to continue providing major UTRCA also maintains and operates a number of recreation dams capital repair grant programs, such as Ontario’s Water and Erosion on behalf of member municipalities. The benefiting municipality Control Infrastructure (WECI) program. for these recreational structures is the municipality within which they are located. Capital maintenance of all of these structures In 2020, the UTRCA has obtained funding from the federal is funded in the same proportions as operating, as shown in the Disaster Mitigation & Adaptation Fund for the West London Dyke table below. Reconstruction Project. Funding from WECI is not yet confirmed.
The UTRCA Board of Directors has approved a 20 Year Capital The amounts for the annual fixed contributions from the affected Maintenance Plan for Water and Erosion Control Structures. This municipalities have been calculated based on long term flood long term plan has been developed to coordinate the timing and control capital repair estimates. The 20 Year Capital Maintenance financing of major capital repairs to the water and erosion control Plan includes provisions for reviews and for the adjustment of the structures. The plan is reviewed and updated annually, to maintain municipal contributions, depending on updated studies and a rolling 20 year estimate for planning and financing purposes. cost estimates. The 2020 Approved Flood Control Capital Levy is described in the following table. Flood Control Capital Levy Summary Municipality Structure Apportionment 2020 FC Capital Levy Total Wildwood Dam 0.97% Oxford County Pittock Dam 62.07% $125,000 Ingersoll Channel 100.00% Fanshawe Dam 100.00% Wildwood Dam 83.96% City of London Pittock Dam 36.86% $2,600,000 London Dykes & Erosion Control Structures 100.00% Springbank Dam 100.00% St. Marys Floodwall 100.00% Town of St. Marys $50,000 Wildwood Dam 14.10% City of Stratford RT Orr Dam & Channel 100.00% -- Municipality of West Perth Fullarton Dam 100.00% $5,000 Embro Dam 100.00% $1,500 Township of Zorra Harrington Dam 100.00% $5,000 Total Flood Control Capital Levy $2,786,500 2020 Approved Flood Control Capital Levy Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: 2020 Appr... Page 26 of 73 6 AGENDA ITEM #8.1.
Water & Information Management
What we do: • Reduce the risk of property damage and loss of lives due to flooding by providing flood forecasting and warning programs. • Operate and maintain water control structures to control flood flows and augment stream flow during dry periods. • Operate and maintain recreational water control structures on behalf of municipalities.
Examples: • Provide and maintain flood situation emergency plans and a flood warning system • Continually monitor stream flow, reservoirs and watershed conditions, and forecasting floods • Collect and maintain flood damage information and historical flooding data • Maintain and expand stream gauge network in order to improve stream flow, climatic and water quality monitoring • Improve and calibrate flood forecasting models • Coordinate, maintain, and improve stream flow through flow augmentation reservoirs • Coordinate the upper Thames River watershed’s Low Water Response Team, which is planning for drought response to meet the needs of watershed residents and business, while protecting natural systems and human health • Operate, inspect and maintain flood control dams, dyke systems, channels, and erosion control structures, constructed in partnership with municipalities • Operate, inspect and maintain medium sized municipal recreation dams and Conservation Area dams • Undertake major maintenance projects on water and erosion control structures, and assess municipal erosion control works • Undertake dam safety studies and improve public safety around dams • Update operation and maintenance manuals • Secure capital maintenance funding for water and erosion control infrastructure • Provide technical expertise to identify natural hazards (such as floodplains and steep slopes) with the goal of protecting people and property from these natural hazards • Provide, interpret and maintain floodplain mapping • Update hazard modelling and mapping in support of Environmental Planning & Regulations unit • Secure senior government funding support for flood hazard mitigation
Why: • Reduce property damage, injury and loss of life • Comply with legislative requirements and guidelines at the local level • Maintain public investment in infrastructure to prevent catastrophic loss • Improve water quality and stream flow • Key component of a comprehensive flood plain management program • Provide park land and recreational opportunities
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget7 Re: 2020 Appr... Page 27 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.1. 2020 Approved Budget February 20, 2020
Water & Information Management
Change 2019 2020 from last Forecast Budget year Notes (see page 4 for list of acronyms) Revenues Municipal Levies 1,637,206 1,804,711 10.2% Includes deferred revenues to offset depreciation Government Transfer Payments 152,261 166,270 9.2% NDMP program ending early 2020, other provincial Contracts 876,800 303,252 -65.4% contracts cut User Fees 60,000 - 0.0% All Others incl deferred amounts 65,304 - 0.0% Total Revenues 2,791,571 2,274,233 -18.5%
Operating Expenses Wages, Benefits, Per Diems 1,265,516 1,175,104 -7.1% Training 4,900 9,900 102.0% Error in 2019 budget; now correct Legal, Audit, Insurance 32,000 30,965 -3.2% Services 57,000 52,000 -8.8% Computers, Property and Utilities 211,725 176,275 -16.7% Supplies 87,550 109,350 24.9% Depreciation Expenses 457,461 585,912 28.1% Reflects capital projects completed in 2019 and prior Allocated Costs 622,159 586,931 -5.7% Total Operating Expenses 2,738,311 2,726,437 -0.4%
Desired Transfers to Reserves 32,836 - 0.0%
Surplus (deficit) 20,424 (452,204)
REVENUES EXPENSES
Government Transfer Contracts Payments Allocated Costs
Wages, Bene ts, Per Diems
Municipal Depreciation Levies Expenses
Training Supplies Legal, Audit, Computers, Services Insurance Property and Utilities Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: 2020 Appr... Page 28 of 73 8 AGENDA ITEM #8.1.
Environmental Planning & Regulations
What we do: • Review construction and approve projects in and around watercourses, flood plains, valley slopes, and wetlands to ensure development is safe for individuals and the community. • Assist municipalities with fulfilling their Planning Act responsibilities by identifying natural hazard areas and natural heritage features, and providing policy support. • Provide municipalities with access to policy and technical experts in various disciplines, including hydrology, hydrogeology, ecology, fisheries, engineering, bioengineering, stream morphology, and land use planning. • Provide land use planning advisory services to identify natural hazard, natural heritage, development servicing, water quality, and natural resource planning concerns. • Increase implementation of green infrastructure (Low Impact Development) through pilot projects and professional development opportunities. • Monitor and update the Thames-Sydenham and Region Source Protection Plan (SPP) to protect human health and municipal drinking water sources (quality and quantity). • Collaborate with municipalities and conservation authorities to develop and operate a Local Source Water Information Management System to help municipalities to meet their obligations under the Clean Water Act and Source Protection Plans. • Provide risk management services, including education and outreach, to participating municipalities to assist them in implementing the SPP through risk management, prohibition, and restricted land use policies.
Examples: • Provide comments to assist municipalities with processing Official Plan and zoning by-law amendments, severances, variances and plans of subdivision • Answer questions from the public on the environmental aspects of land use planning • Respond to property inquiries and mapping requests (legal, real estate, and general information) • Administer approvals and investigate violations related to regulations made pursuant to the Conservation Authorities Act • Screen and comment on mitigation related to projects requiring federal Fisheries Act review or approval
Why: • Reduce the risk to life and property from natural hazards such as flooding and unstable slopes, and support safe development. • Promote the maintenance and enhancement of natural heritage features and areas such as woodlands, wetlands and threatened species. • Protect and promote the wise use of groundwater resources. • Comply with legislative requirements under the Conservation Authorities Act.
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget9 Re: 2020 Appr... Page 29 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.1. 2020 Approved Budget February 20, 2020
Environmental Planning & Regulations
Change 2019 2020 from last Forecast Budget year Notes (see page 4 for list of acronyms) Revenues Includes $310K for Growth Assessment (City of London only) Municipal Levies 893,309 1,359,434 52.2% and Targets levy for 2020 Government Transfer Payments 28,952 14,947 -48.4% Includes regulatory SWP and risk management service Contracts 815,877 689,389 -15.5% contracts User Fees 275,000 315,000 14.5% Fees may still be revised All Others incl deferred amounts 85,381 85,381 0.0% Total Revenues 2,098,519 2,464,151 17.4%
Operating Expenses 3 staff for London Growth Asssessment funding, additional Wages, Benefits, Per Diems 1,174,841 1,453,361 23.7% staff time from supporting units and advocacy efforts of Targets workplan Training 13,500 16,000 18.5% Corresponding increase for staff costs Legal, Audit, Insurance 27,000 41,750 54.6% Corresponding increase for staff costs Services 171,500 161,000 -6.1% Tools for improved service delivery (i.e., database Computers, Property and Utilities 27,750 43,000 55.0% functionality, tablets) Supplies 8,400 13,000 54.8% Allocated Costs 443,126 525,861 18.7% Corresponding increase for staff costs Total Operating Expenses 1,866,117 2,253,972 20.8%
Surplus (deficit) 232,402 210,179
REVENUES EXPENSES
All Others including deferred amounts
User Fees Allocated Costs Supplies
Computers, Wages, Bene ts, Municipal Property and Contracts Per Diems Levies Utilities Services
Legal, Audit, Insurance Training
Government Transfer Payments Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: 2020 Appr... Page 30 of 73 10 AGENDA ITEM #8.1.
Watershed Planning, Research & Monitoring
What we do: • Provide watershed scale environmental monitoring, summarized every 5 years in a comprehensive Watershed Report Card document. • Develop and maintain watershed and property specific management plans in cooperation with government agencies, municipalities and community groups. • Implement research studies to fill resource information gaps and develop innovative methods of protecting and enhancing watershed resources.
Examples: • Develop UTRCA Watershed Report Cards to summarize and report all monitoring data and trends • Monitor groundwater at 24 sites as part of the Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Information System in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) • Collect and analyze surface water samples at 24 sites as part of the Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network in partnership with the MECP and municipal Health Units • Undertake expanded water quality and stream health monitoring, in support of efforts identified in the UTRCA Strategic Plan and in partnership with member municipalities • Compile water quality and aquatic community health data in a comprehensive and standardized time series database, which is integrated with water quantity and available to watershed partners • Monitor aquatic community health including benthic invertebrates, fisheries and species at risk to identify priority areas for implementation of best management practices and stewardship • Facilitate the development of an updated Water Management Plan for the Thames River watershed in collaboration with a broad group of stakeholders • Participate in senior government working groups related to development of a Domestic Action Plan to reduce phosphorus loads to Lake Erie • Develop and maintain Geographic Information System (GIS) databases, performing spatial analysis and producing mapping and GIS tools to support watershed planning initiatives, assist in property management and support regulatory activities • Develop land management plans for UTRCA properties, such as the Lowthian Flats and Fullarton area lands, in partnership with the Conservation Areas and Lands & Facilities units • Provide technical support and review for applications related to planning advisory services • Study species at risk and their habitat requirements that are indicators of watershed health • Develop natural heritage system studies to determine natural heritage system significance and spatially quantifying natural heritage feature gains and losses to identify areas of concern
Why: • Gather long term data and create information to measure outcomes related to the UTRCA Environmental Targets Strategic Plan and to guide work to improve environmental health • Solving environmental problems and implementing plans to improve watershed health requires monitoring information from a broad geographic perspective as well as knowledge of current resources • Advocate for clean water and natural heritage feature protection and restoration in the watershed, as identified in UTRCA Environmental Targets • Improve habitat and decrease environmental health risks to humans and animals
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget11 Re: 2020 Appr... Page 31 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.1. 2020 Approved Budget February 20, 2020
Watershed Planning, Research & Monitoring
Change 2019 2020 from last Forecast Budget year Notes (see page 4 for list of acronyms) Revenues Municipal Levies 698,962 723,454 3.5% Contracts 174,700 180,450 3.3% User Fees - - 0.0% All Others incl deferred amounts 8,000 25,000 212.5% Advanced donation for Cade Tract naturalization Total Revenues 881,662 928,904 5.4%
Operating Expenses Staff working on Targets and Dingman Creek monitoring Wages, Benefits, Per Diems 708,323 747,122 5.5% programs Training 3,850 3,900 1.3% Services 36,000 10,050 -72.1% Consultant changed to staff contract Computers, Property and Utilities 8,550 11,050 29.2% Supplies 12,650 18,900 49.4% Primarily Cade Tract expenses Depreciation Expenses 2,176 2,176 0.0% Allocated Costs 293,969 327,236 11.3% Total Operating Expenses 1,065,518 1,120,434 5.2%
Surplus (deficit) (183,856) (191,530)
REVENUES EXPENSES
All Others including deferred amounts
Contracts Allocated Costs
Municipal Depreciation Levies Expenses Wages, Bene ts, Supplies Per Diems Computers, Property and Utilities Services Training
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: 2020 Appr... Page 32 of 73 12 AGENDA ITEM #8.1.
Conservation Services
What we do: • Provide comprehensive face-to-face technical services to address soil and water quality concerns • Offer a range of tree planting and woodlot management services • Deliver the Clean Water Program (CWP), which provides a one-window service for rural landowners to access technical assistance and financial incentives for implementing measures that improve surface water and groundwater quality and soil health. The CWP is funded by the Counties of Oxford, Middlesex and Perth, the Town of St. Marys and the Cities of Stratford and London, with additional funding leveraged from industry, government, foundations and donations.
Examples: • Deliver best management practices available through the CWP including erosion control structures, wetland restoration, fencing livestock from watercourses, stream restoration, improving habitat for fish, wildlife and pollinators, low impact development, upgrading private wells, decommissioning unused wells, tree planting, windbreaks, and enhancing woodlots, among others • CWP since 2001 has completed 4384 projects; 3200 projects cost shared, $10.8 million in capital project value plus landowner inputs / $4.4 million in cost-sharing • Provide a wide range of forestry services such as tree planting plans (including technical assistance, planting or supplying appropriate stock, and maintenance assistance), woodlot management, invasive species control, and planning and auditing for the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program • Implement naturalization projects through the Communities for Nature program, which gives 5,000 people each year a hands-on educational experience enhancing their local environment, through community forestry, wildflower and aquatic planting, and provides local businesses including TD Canada Trust, DANCOR, service clubs and private donors with an opportunity to provide lands and/or financial support • Coordinate the Memorial Forests Program across the watershed to commemorate people and events, in partnership with local funeral homes • Deliver Medway Creek watershed phosphorus reduction research and demonstration projects partnering with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) • Partner with ECCC to establish and monitor water quality from agriculture-based Thames River subwatersheds stations • Manage innovative demonstration and research efforts, including controlled drainage, engineered vegetated filter strips, saturated buffers, constructed wetlands, surface inlet effectiveness, on-farm stormwater management, slag filters to remove phosphorus from barnyard and silage leachate runoff and from tile drainage systems, edge-of-field research to monitor phosphorus movement on agricultural cropland, and biofilters. Partner with the Universities of Waterloo, Guelph and Western, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative on the Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Collaborative, OMAFRA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and others in carrying out these projects. • Work with partners to address local forestry issues such as Emerald Ash Borer parasitoid research, preserving the genetics of native butternut trees, and other related climate change impacts
Why: • Agricultural BMPs are cost-effective, practical actions that landowners can take to improve soil health and water quality while maintaining or enhancing agricultural production • Address locally identified priority water quality impairment issues • Stabilize streams experiencing pressure from surrounding land uses • Improve water quality and habitat for fish and wildlife, and reestablish natural aquatic linkages • Provide benefits to mitigate climate change • Increase natural cover to improve water quality and provide terrestrial wildlife and pollinator habitat
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget13 Re: 2020 Appr... Page 33 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.1. 2020 Approved Budget February 20, 2020
Conservation Services
Change 2019 2020 from last Forecast Budget year Notes (see page 4 for list of acronyms) Revenues Municipal Levies 704,677 664,335 -5.7% Contracts 846,750 651,866 -23.0% Not forecasting Canada Ontario Agreement funding in 2020 User Fees 151,500 163,000 7.6% All Others incl deferred amounts 514,746 493,290 -4.2% Total Revenues 2,217,673 1,972,491 -11.1%
Operating Expenses Wages, Benefits, Per Diems 797,456 819,854 2.8% Training 9,000 3,550 -60.6% To reflect actual Services 40,700 26,700 -34.4% Computers, Property and Utilities 187,603 172,750 -7.9% Supplies 423,133 293,479 -30.6% Utilizing existing equipment to reduce costs Flow Through Expenses 243,361 149,715 -38.5% Some grant programs have little take up Depreciation Expenses 2,403 2,403 0.0% Allocated Costs 479,206 465,537 -2.9% Corresponds to lower levy attribution Total Operating Expenses 2,182,862 1,933,988 -11.4%
Surplus (deficit) 34,811 38,503
REVENUES EXPENSES
All Others including Allocated deferred Municipal Costs amounts Levies Depreciation Wages, Bene ts, Expenses Per Diems Flow Through User Expenses Fees
Supplies Contracts
Training Computers, Services Property and Utilities
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: 2020 Appr... Page 34 of 73 14 AGENDA ITEM #8.1.
Lands & Facilities
What we do: • Work in partnership with the community to ensure the long-term protection of natural areas, such as woodlands and wetlands, and provide a variety of recreational opportunities on UTRCA-owned/ managed lands. • Lease structures and properties to clubs and community groups, individuals and municipalities for activities that complement the UTRCA’s programs and services.
Examples: • Provide safe passive day-use recreational opportunities on 1900 hectares of rural properties, including woodlands, wetlands, agreement forests, and 7 rural conservation areas • As of January 2019, the UTRCA is in an agreement with the City of London to manage 11 Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs) covering 735.6 hectares • Work with the local community to implement ESA Conservation Master Plans, in partnership with the City of London • Initiate asset management plan as per the UTRCA Strategic Plan • Initiate or assist with capital development projects • Manage UTRCA fleet vehicles and equipment system • Work with the local community to implement the Ellice and Gads Hill Swamps Management Strategy • Perform comprehensive risk management and safety inspections on UTRCA-owned properties • Assess hunting opportunities on UTRCA-owned properties and, where appropriate, implement a controlled hunting program • Respond to infringement and encroachment related issues on UTRCA-owned properties • Lease 24 UTRCA-owned agricultural properties totalling approximately 475 hectares • Lease 5 residential homes and manage/maintain 7 storage buildings located throughout the watershed • Maintain lease agreements with 7 community-based groups for the management and maintenance of our rural conservation areas • Maintain lease agreements with more than 20 clubs for recreational opportunities within Fanshawe, Wildwood and Pittock Conservation Areas • Maintain lease agreements for 80 cottages at two locations • Maintain leases with groups and individuals for a variety of activities at properties throughout the watershed • Partner with municipalities to control invasive species
Why: • When acquiring lands for the development of the reservoirs, the UTRCA was obliged to purchase entire holdings (farms); some of these lands are not needed to support the flood management and recreational programs of the UTRCA, and have been made available to the community • Hazard lands and wetlands were acquired for flood risk reduction and recreation, and contribute to natural heritage conservation and water quality protection (surface water and groundwater) • Create value for the environment by providing safe access to UTRCA-owned lands and permitted outdoor recreational opportunities
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget15 Re: 2020 Appr... Page 35 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.1. 2020 Approved Budget February 20, 2020
Lands & Facilities
Change 2019 2020 from last Forecast Budget year Notes (see page 4 for list of acronyms) Revenues Municipal Levies 553,155 750,720 35.7% Targets workplan levies for 2020 Contracts 906,045 914,030 0.9% User Fees 2,000 2,000 0.0% All Others incl deferred amounts 25,000 32,000 28.0% Total Revenues 1,486,200 1,698,750 14.3%
Operating Expenses Wages, Benefits, Per Diems 936,758 958,721 2.3% Training 10,100 9,900 -2.0% Legal, Audit, Insurance 21,400 17,930 -16.2% Services 85,200 45,350 -46.8% Asset Management Planning costs not used in 2019 Computers, Property and Utilities 132,100 104,705 -20.7% Includes Asset Management Planning needs assessment Supplies 86,100 101,749 18.2% Flow Through Expenses 8,000 8,000 0.0% Depreciation Expenses 17,572 17,572 0.0% Allocated Costs 384,657 482,613 25.5% Corresponds to increased Targets levy Total Operating Expenses 1,681,887 1,746,540 3.8%
Surplus (deficit) (195,687) (47,790)
REVENUES EXPENSES
User All Others including Fees deferred amounts
Allocated Municipal Costs Contracts Levies Wages, Bene ts, Depreciation Per Diems Expenses Supplies Flow Through Expenses
Computers, Property and Utilities Services Legal, Audit, Training Insurance
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: 2020 Appr... Page 36 of 73 16 AGENDA ITEM #8.1.
Conservation Areas
What we do: • Provide a variety of recreational and educational opportunities and facilities on 3200 hectares of conservation lands at Fanshawe, Wildwood and Pittock Conservation Areas for 650,000 visitors annually. • Provide improved access to recreational facilities regardless of ability. • Participate in local job fairs and employ 80 seasonal staff annually to operate the recreational areas.
Examples: • Over 1300 seasonal and nightly camping sites, including back country camp sites • Over 50 km of trail systems for biking, hiking and nature appreciation • Water-based recreational opportunities including rental equipment • Variety of special events and environmental programs in partnership with local organizations • Day use opportunities including picnic areas, playgrounds and pavilion rentals, disc golf, geocaching, sand volleyball, yoga classes • Cottage program • Recreational hunting program • Assist with a range of other UTRCA activities and programs, including: o flood control operations and snow course readings o providing and maintaining land base for Community Education programs o grounds maintenance of the Watershed Conservation Centre o tree storage and pick up locations for tree planting programs o Memorial Forests and dedication services • Land Management Agreement with the City of Woodstock for portions of the north shore and the entire south shore of Pittock Reservoir • Use our conservation areas as demonstration sites for other programs and services offered by the UTRCA (e.g., green infrastructure rain garden, fish habitat creation, shoreline erosion solutions) • Ensure conservation area lands comply with applicable legislation • Set annual goals and implement strategies to continue improving and expanding services and opportunities
Why: • Lands that were acquired for the development of flood control reservoirs also serve as multi-purpose recreational facilities. • Create value for the environment by providing local outdoor recreational opportunities. • Provide safe access to UTRCA-owned lands and permitted activities.
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget17 Re: 2020 Appr... Page 37 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.1. 2020 Approved Budget February 20, 2020
Conservation Areas
Change 2019 2020 from last Forecast Budget year Notes (see page 4 for list of acronyms) Revenues Municipal Levies 1,455 - 0.0% Contracts 838,175 854,031 1.9% User Fees 3,662,079 3,707,056 1.2% Fee increases not yet included All Others incl deferred amounts 39,000 - 0.0% Total Revenues 4,540,709 4,561,087 0.4%
Operating Expenses Wages, Benefits, Per Diems 2,019,592 2,045,454 1.3% Shortened some contracts Training 23,570 25,100 6.5% Legal, Audit, Insurance 83,895 87,645 4.5% Services 167,300 204,800 22.4% Septic system covers, water line, hydro panel replacement req’d Computers, Property and Utilities 999,924 1,043,605 4.4% Supplies 316,750 318,450 0.5% Depreciation Expenses 76,373 91,651 20.0% Pool upgrades, water heaters, Molok waste containers Allocated Costs 773,320 679,564 -12.1% Total Operating Expenses 4,460,724 4,496,269 0.8%
Surplus (deficit) 79,985 64,818
REVENUES EXPENSES
Depreciation Allocated Contracts Expenses Costs
Supplies Wages, Bene ts, Per Diems User Fees Computers, Property and Utilities
Services Training Legal, Audit, Insurance
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: 2020 Appr... Page 38 of 73 18 AGENDA ITEM #8.1.
Community Partnerships
What we do: • Motivate watershed residents to adopt stewardship (behaviours that protect and restore the environment) by facilitating access to environmental and conservation information, and involvement in stewardship activities.
Examples: • Coordinate community involvement in planning and implementing environmental restoration, information sharing and education projects in the Medway, South Thames, Cedar Creek, Stoney and Forks watersheds, and the Dorchester Mill Pond • Provide curriculum-based programming to more than 20,000 students at Fanshawe and Wildwood Outdoor Education Centres each year • Provide environmental education programs and hands-on resource management opportunities in local natural areas and in class, to students and community groups (e.g., stream health monitoring, stream rehabilitation, Watershed Report Card program, Wetlands Education program) • Build partnerships with First Nation communities • Partner with watershed school boards to develop and implement education programs on flooding, stormwater and water safety (e.g., Focus on Flooding, Slow the Flow & Stop the Drop, Stream of Dreams, and River Safety, installing Low Impact Development projects at local schools) • Assist communities in learning about and implementing Low Impact Development (LID) for stormwater projects, including hosting professional development and training and the Stream of Dreams program • Partner with school boards and the private sector (e.g., Toyota, Start.ca, GM, service clubs) to develop and deliver innovative, curriculum-based environmental education programs. • Work with corporate partners to involve the community in the naturalization of industrial properties (GM Canada - Ingersoll, Toyota - Woodstock) • Partner with the City of Woodstock to re-naturalize Burgess Park and restore the Brick Ponds Wetland Complex • As a member of the Oxford County Trails Council, assist with developing and promoting trails throughout Oxford County, while protecting and enhancing natural heritage within trail corridors • Partner with school boards to develop and deliver a wide range of curriculum-based environmental education programs, including secondary school environmental program certifications (e.g., ICE, SHSM, GPS) • Partner with Cargill Cares and Ontario Power Generation to deliver the Watershed Report Card program and the Sifton Bog Wetland program • Coordinate the 2019 London Middlesex Children’s Water Festival and the 2020 Perth County Children’s Water Festival • Help landowners, community groups and municipalities access funding for environmental projects • Facilitate involvement of the community, industry and corporations in environmental clean ups and community events
Why: • Create value for a healthy environment by providing opportunities to experience and learn about conservation • Provide hands-on learning opportunities to address local environmental concerns and build capacity in local communities • Motivate watershed residents to adopt stewardship actions by facilitating access to environmental and conservation information and involvement in stewardship activities.
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget19 Re: 2020 Appr... Page 39 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.1. 2020 Approved Budget February 20, 2020
Community Partnerships
Change 2019 2020 from last Forecast Budget year Notes (see page 4 for list of acronyms) Revenues Municipal Levies 822,848 900,983 9.5% Targets levy increase Contracts 386,969 266,845 -31.0% User Fees 184,500 125,000 -32.2% Fewer staff engaged in education programs All Others incl deferred amounts 186,600 11,000 -94.1% Less carry forward expected from 2019 Total Revenues 1,580,917 1,303,828 -17.5%
Operating Expenses Wages, Benefits, Per Diems 633,639 723,422 14.2% Staff dedicated to Targets workplan (Low Impact Development) Training 4,100 3,600 -12.2% Services 222,506 54,100 -75.7% Reflects 2019 actual experience Computers, Property and Utilities 36,470 20,400 -44.1% Supplies 191,342 94,700 -50.5% Flow Through Expenses 29,500 8,000 -72.9% Scaled back Water Festival for 2020 Depreciation Expenses 1,442 1,442 0.0% Allocated Costs 385,514 396,195 2.8% Total Operating Expenses 1,504,513 1,301,859 -13.5%
Surplus (deficit) 76,404 1,969
REVENUES EXPENSES
All Others including deferred amounts
User Fees
Allocated Contracts Costs Wages, Bene ts, Municipal Per Diems Levies Depreciation Expenses Supplies Flow Through Expenses
Computers, Property and Utilities Services Training
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: 2020 Appr... Page 40 of 73 20 AGENDA ITEM #8.1.
Corporate & Support Services
What we do: • Support the Conservation Authority’s staff, members of the Board of Directors, and programs • All Corporate & Support Services costs are allocated among the programs of the UTRCA
Examples: • Corporate and strategic planning, governance policy development, and implementation • Financial control support including development of procedures, systems integration and efficiency projects • Adopting new accountings standards • Implementing an acquisitions policy and automated system • Human resources administration, benefits administration • Payroll and health and safety initiatives • Engage communities of interest through interactive social media channels • Assess community needs and opportunities through communications and marketing • Administrative, clerical, systems, communications and graphic design support • Provide information products including printed materials, GIS mapping, Geoportal, and websites to watershed residents, the Board of Directors and staff • Professional development opportunities • Coordinate community volunteers
Why: • Ensure programs are consistent with watershed resources, management needs, community values, and political and financial realities • Ensure accountability to the community, partners, and municipal and senior government • Inform staff, members, stakeholders and the public of the UTRCA’s programs and policies • Provide programs that are cost-effective • Maintain competent, highly trained, safe and motivated staff to implement the UTRCA’s programs • Maintain efficient systems and equipment to support the organization
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget21 Re: 2020 Appr... Page 41 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.1. 2020 Approved Budget February 20, 2020
Service Cost Centres
Change 2019 2020 from last Forecast Budget year Notes (see page 4 for list of acronyms) Revenues Municipal Levies 97,217 75,689 -22.1% These are amortized capital maintenance levies from earlier years Contracts 1,500 500 -66.7% User Fees 3,300 3,500 6.1% All Others incl deferred amounts 421,800 231,300 -45.2% Investment revenue modestly estimated for 2020 Total Revenues 523,817 310,989 -40.6%
Operating Expenses Wages, Benefits, Per Diems 2,046,954 2,100,413 2.6% Training 35,400 40,350 14.0% Implementing supervisor training program Legal, Audit, Insurance 204,394 223,995 9.6% Audit costs steady, insurance increases 15% Services 104,000 124,825 20.0% Includes HR consulting for reorganizational work Computers, Property and Utilities 504,300 499,547 -0.9% Supplies 188,500 211,036 12.0% Depreciation Expenses 512,800 520,817 1.6% Allocated Costs (3,381,195) (3,463,673) 0.0% Total Operating Expenses 215,153 257,310 19.6%
Desired Transfers to Reserves 403,048 53,678 -86.7%
Surplus (deficit) (94,384) 1
REVENUES EXPENSES
Depreciation Expenses Municipal Levies Supplies
Contracts Computers, Wages, Bene ts, User Fees Property and Per Diems All Others including Utilities deferred amounts
Services
Legal, Audit, Insurance Training
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: 2020 Appr... Page 42 of 73 22 Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: Appr...
2020 UTRCA Approved Budget: Municipal Levy February 20, 2020
Current Operations Capital Investments Env Dam & Flood Control Levy Year over Total Municipal General Levy Operating Specific Project Targets Total Municipal Year Capital Flood Control Capital Levy Total Municipal Year over Year Funding for Year over Year Reserve Levy (see table below for details) Funding Year 4 Operations Funding Maintenance Capital Funding Increase Increase (reduced) Increase Operations & Capital Transfer Municipality 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 Payment 2019 2020 2020 2019 2020 $ % 2019 2020 Structure 2019 2020 2019 2020 $ % 2019 2020 $ % CVA CVA Recovery Oxford Cty 16.5514 16.6248 638,617 653,636 5,470 5,599 185,042 178,652 28,893 12,741 829,129 879,521 50,392 6.1% 28,111 29,114 Pittock Dam, Ingersoll Channel 125,000 125,000 153,111 154,114 1,003 0.7% 982,240 1,033,636 51,396 5.2% London 64.6982 64.4956 2,496,306 2,535,770 21,382 21,721 857,719 877,272 118,361 105,000 105,000 49,427 3,480,407 3,707,551 227,144 6.5% 111,675 112,948 Total Structures1 1,486,104 2,600,000 1,597,779 2,712,948 1,115,169 69.8% 5,078,186 6,420,499 1,342,313 26.4% Lucan Bidd. 0.3179 0.3277 12,266 12,884 105 110 2,018 2,115 286 251 14,389 15,647 1,258 8.7% 531 574 531 574 43 8.1% 14,920 16,221 1,301 8.7% Thames Ctr 3.2168 3.2126 124,117 126,310 1,063 1,082 25,585 26,019 2,812 2,462 150,765 158,684 7,919 5.3% 5,420 5,626 5,420 5,626 206 3.8% 156,185 164,310 8,125 5.2% Middlesex Ctr 2.2866 2.3441 88,225 92,163 756 789 14,501 15,121 2,052 1,796 103,482 111,922 8,440 8.2% 3,927 4,105 3,927 4,105 178 4.5% 107,409 116,027 8,618 8.0% Stratford 7.2851 7.2473 281,088 284,942 2,408 2,441 96,533 78,864 10,216 5,554 380,029 382,017 1,988 0.5% 12,572 12,692 RT Orr Dam 25,000 - 37,572 12,692 (24,880) -66.2% 417,601 394,709 (22,892) -5.5% Perth East 1.3728 1.4206 52,967 55,854 454 478 11,298 11,803 1,242 1,089 64,719 70,466 5,747 8.9% 2,276 2,488 2,276 2,488 212 9.3% 66,995 72,954 5,959 8.9% West Perth 1.4187 1.4523 54,739 57,100 469 489 43,583 50,763 1,270 1,113 98,791 110,735 11,944 12.1% 2,343 2,543 Fullarton Dam 5,000 5,000 7,343 7,543 200 2.7% 106,134 118,279 12,145 11.4% St. Marys 1.5092 1.4767 58,230 58,059 499 497 27,396 28,160 3,451 1,132 86,125 91,299 5,174 6.0% 2,631 2,586 WWD Dam, St Marys Floodwall 102,000 50,000 104,631 52,586 (52,045) -49.7% 190,756 143,885 (46,871) -24.6% Perth South 1.1431 1.1961 44,106 47,027 378 403 7,229 7,691 1,044 917 51,713 57,081 5,368 10.4% 1,866 2,095 1,866 2,095 229 12.3% 53,579 59,176 5,597 10.4% South Huron 0.2002 0.2023 7,725 7,954 66 68 1,265 1,301 177 155 9,056 9,654 598 6.6% 340 354 340 354 14 4.2% 9,396 10,009 613 6.5% Zorra 0 0 - - - 8,500 8,500 - 8,500 8,500 - 0.0% - Harrington $5K Embro $1.5K 6,500 6,500 6,500 6,500 - 15,000 15,000 - 0.0% SW Oxford 0 0 - - - 5,610 5,610 - 5,610 5,610 - 0.0% - - - - 5,610 5,610 - 0.0% TOTAL 100 100 3,858,386 3,931,699 33,050 33,678 1,286,279 1,291,872 169,803 105,000 105,000 76,636 5,282,715 5,608,688 325,973 6.2% 171,692 175,126 1,749,604 2,786,500 1,921,296 2,961,626 1,040,330 54.1% 7,204,011 8,570,314 1,366,303 19.0% Contribution to 6.2% increase 1.4% 0.0% 0.1% 3.2% 0.0% 1.5% 6.2% 1Total Structures - City of London: Structure $ Fanshawe Dam 50,000 Wildwood & Pittock Dams 100,000 Erosion Control 40,000 London Dykes 2,410,000 Total London Structures 2,600,000 2020 UTRCA Approved Budget: Dam & Flood Control Levy - Details
Forecasting, Planning & Small CVA Wildwood Dam Pittock Dam 100% Structures and Projects 2019 2020 Technical Studies Holdings Municipality Transfer Transfer Transfer Transfer 2019 2020 Payment $ $ % Payment $ % Payment $ Structure Payment $ $ $ Recovery $ Recovery $ Recovery $ Recovery $ 2Total Structures - City of London: Oxford County 16.5514 16.6248 14,271 103,981 1,160 0.97 116 1,116 62.07 10,201 59,695 Ingersoll Channel 4,305 12,700 185,042 207,545 Transfer 2 Structure Payment $ London 64.6982 64.4956 55,365 403,392 4,502 83.91 10,017 96,557 36.81 6,049 35,401 Total Structures 46,930 337,420 857,719 995,633 Recovery $ Lucan Biddulph 0.3179 0.3277 281 2,050 23 0.02 2 23 0.02 3 19 2,018 2,401
Fanshawe Dam 44,419 265,500 AGENDA ITEM #8.1. Thames Centre 3.2168 3.2126 2,758 20,093 224 0.19 23 219 0.19 31 183 Dorchester Mill Pond & CA Dams ($2,650 ea) 5,300 25,585 28,831 Springbank Dam 38,000 Page 43 of 73 Middlesex Centre 2.2866 2.3441 2,012 14,661 164 0.14 17 161 0.14 23 135 14,501 17,173 London Dykes/ 2,511 33,920 Stratford 7.2851 7.2473 6,221 45,329 506 0.44 53 506 0.44 72 423 RT Orr Dam & Channel 3,870 32,100 96,533 89,080 Erosion Control Total London 46,930 337,420 Perth East 1.3728 1.4206 1,219 8,885 99 0.08 10 92 0.08 13 77 Shakespeare Dam 2,650 11,298 13,045 West Perth 1.4187 1.4523 1,247 9,083 101 0.08 10 92 0.08 13 77 Mitchell Dam ($38,760) & Fullarton Dam ($2,650) 41,410 43,583 52,033 St. Marys 1.5092 1.4767 1,268 9,236 103 14.10 1,683 16,225 0.10 16 96 St. Marys Floodwall 484 2,500 27,396 31,611 Perth South 1.1431 1.1961 1,027 7,481 83 0.06 7 69 0.06 10 58 7,229 8,735 South Huron 0.2002 0.2023 174 1,265 14 0.01 1 12 0.01 2 10 1,265 1,478 2020 Zorra - Harrington & Embro Dams 8,500 8,500 8,500 Southwest Oxford - Centreville Dam 5,610 5,610 5,610 Approved Budget TOTAL 100 100 85,843 625,456 6,979 100 11,939 115,073 100 16,433 96,174 55,588 448,190 1,286,279 1,461,675 February 20, 2020 AGENDA ITEM #8.1.
“Inspiring a Healthy Environment”
March 26, 2020
County of Oxford 21 Reeve Street PO Box 1614 Woodstock, ON N4S 7Y3
Attention: Chloe Senior, Clerk
Dear Ms. Senior:
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) hosted its Annual General Meeting on February 20, 2020. As part of this meeting the Board of Directors approved the 2020 Budget which includes revenue generated from municipal levy as authorized under the Conservation Authorities Act. This notice and levy invoice is being provided via registered mail to the Clerk of each member municipality and stipulates the amount of levy owing for 2020 along with the basis for levy apportionment.
Conservation Authority levies are apportioned to their member municipalities based on relative benefits received. Apportionment of the municipal levy for 2020 has been established in accordance with the formula set forth in Ontario Regulation 670/00 which assesses benefit pursuant to the modified current value assessment of each municipality. A second method of apportionment is used for much of the flood control section of the levy which considers benefits received from the flood control structure itself (e.g., Wildwood Dam) rather than using current value assessment. Apportionment values are detailed in the 2020 UTRCA Municipal Levy table at the back of the budget document.
The UTRCA’s Board of Directors approved two resolutions regarding the budget (see below). The first approves an overall operating budget of $15.8 million. The second approves capital expenditures of approximately $6 million. Note that municipal levy is only a proportion of these total amounts:
1. That the UTRCA Board of Directors approve the 2020 Draft Operating Budget under Section 27 of the Conservation Authorities Act in the amount of $15,890,487 and that staff be directed to circulate the Approved Budget to member municipalities as part of the required 30 day review period. Please note the 2020 new levy component of the operating budget of $5,608,688 will be apportioned to member municipalities based on a general levy formula as developed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry using Current Value Assessment data from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation and by Special Benefitting Percentages for structure operations.
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: 2020 Appr... Page 44 of 73 1424 Clarke Road, London, Ontario N5V 5B9 · Phone: 519.451.2800 · Fax: 519.451.1188 · Email: [email protected] · www.thamesriver.on.ca AGENDA ITEM #8.1.
2. That the UTRCA Board of Directors approve the 2020 Capital Budget under Section 26 of the Conservation Authorities Act in two parts:
a) The amount of $6,004,513 to support the Authority’s 20 year Flood Control Capital Plan. Apportionment of the flood control portion of the 2020 capital levy of $2,786,500 is based on Special Benefiting Percentages, by structure, as presented in the 2020 Draft Budget. It is noted this levy amount has been set based on cooperative discussions with participating municipalities and assumes that the majority of the works will receive a matching funding contribution through the provincial Water and Erosion Control Infrastructure Program (WECI) or federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund program (DMAF).
b) The amount of $361,500 to support the Authority’s other (non-flood control) capital spending needs. The municipal levy share of this capital amount is $175,126 and will be apportioned to member municipalities based on a general levy formula as developed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry using Current Value Assessment data from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.
A copy of the 2020 Approved Budget is attached for your reference.
This letter and attachments have been forwarded to your municipal clerk by registered mail as required by the Conservation Authorities Act and triggers the beginning of the thirty day notice period, during which time municipalities have the right to consider an appeal of the levy.
Should you have any questions regarding the UTRCA’s Approved Budget please contact the undersigned.
Yours truly UPPER THAMES RIVER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
Ian Wilcox General Manager/ Secretary Treasurer
Attachments: 1. UTRCA 2020 Approved Operating Budget 2. Levy Invoice
cc: Peter Crockett, CAO Will Jaques, Clerk Lynn Buchner, Director of Corporate Services Kyle Kruger, CAO/Clerk Amy Humphries, Clerk Julie Forth, Clerk Michael Graves, Clerk Karen Martin, Director of Corporate Services Roger Mordue, CAO/Clerk
Upper Thames River Conservation Area Re: UTRCA 2020 Budget Re: 2020 Appr... Page 45 of 73 1424 Clarke Road, London, Ontario N5V 5B9 · Phone: 519.451.2800 · Fax: 519.451.1188 · Email: [email protected] · www.thamesriver.on.ca AGENDA ITEM #8.2.
MEDIA RELEASE April 16, 2020 Long Point Region Conservation Authority – LPRCA Campgrounds: May 1 Opening Date Delayed
Long Point Region Conservation Authority is delaying the May 1 opening date for all LPRCA campgrounds. LPRCA is committed to the health and safety of the public and our staff. We are making the decision to delay the opening date to protect public health and are doing so as recommended by public health authorities. On April 3, 2020, the Ontario Government amended their list of essential workplaces and ordered seasonal trailer parks and recreational campgrounds closed as of 11:59 p.m. on April 4.
To help limit the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure that visitors to LPRCA campgrounds have the best possible experience when it is safe to reopen, LPRCA has made the decision to postpone the opening date. LPRCA will continue to monitor the public health emergency and determine a point when LPRCA properties can reopen. Further updates will be posted to the LRPCA website and social media accounts.
At this time, payment deadlines for seasonal campsites have been deferred. Campers with seasonal sites at LPRCA campgrounds are being contacted by email with further information. Those who have made overnight campsite bookings are also being contacted by email to be notified that their booking will be cancelled and a refund will be issued automatically. The overnight booking cancellations are currently operating on a rolling two- week schedule as we evaluate prospective opening dates. This means that overnight bookings scheduled for later in the season are not being cancelled at this time and campers will be contacted directly as the situation progresses.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Brandon Good, Superintendent of Conservation Areas, at 519- 586-2201 ext. 221 or [email protected]. Find LPRCA Online Facebook: @LongPointConservation Twitter: @longpointca Instagram: @lpr_ca www.lprca.on.ca Contact Zachary Cox Marketing Coordinator 519-842-4242 ext. 227, [email protected]
Long Point Region Conservation Authority Re: LPRCA Campgrounds – May 1... Page 46 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.3.
Municipal Policing Bureau Ontario Police Bureau des services policiers des municipalités Provincial provinciale Police de l’Ontario 777 Memorial Ave. 777, ave Memorial Orillia ON L3V 7V3 Orillia (ON) L3V 7V3
Tel: (705) 329-6200 Fax: (705) 330-4191
File Reference: 600
April 21, 2020
Dear CAO / Clerk / Treasurer,
Re: March / April Invoice Disruption
The Municipal Policing Bureau (MPB) of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has been made aware of a disruption in processing of invoices and account payments for OPP services by our agency partners.
Municipalities should be aware that they may not receive timely invoices or acknowledgements of processed payments due to this disruption.
We are currently investigating this matter. Once further details are available they will be communicated from MPB or directly from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Should you have any further questions please email [email protected].
Yours truly,
T.A. (Bert) McDonald, A/Superintendent A/ Bureau Commander, Municipal Policing Bureau
Ontario Provincial Police Re: March / April Invoice Disruption Page 47 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.4.
Town ofTillsonburg Of?ce of the Clerk 200 Broadway,Suite 204 Tillsonburg,ON N4G 5A7
CONNECTED ENRICHED lNSP|RED. Tel: (519) 6888009 Fax: (519) 842-9431
April 17, 2020
Prime Minister Trudeau Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington Street OTTAWA, ON K1A 0A2
Dear Prime Minister:
RE: Carbon Tax
At our Town Council meeting held on April 14, 2020, the following resolution was enacted:
WHEREAS the Federal Government passed legislation to approve a Carbon Tax to help mitigate Green Gas Emissions;
AND WHEREAS the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the immediate focus of Canadians from Climate Change to Financial Sustainability;
THAT The Town of Tillsonburg request Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to roll back the $10 per tonne or 50% increase in the carbon tax which came into effect on April 1st, 2020; AND THAT This tax increase applies increased financial pressures on businesses, citizens and industry already being crippled by the hardships of the COVID-19 virus which include but are not limited to: massive layoffs, shuttered businesses, health problems, fear, anxiety and undue amounts of pressure;
AND THAT the local governments who represent the very heart and soul of our small communities bring forth the message from our ratepayers and reach out to our Federal Counterparts so that their voices can be heard;
AND THAT this resolution be sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the appropriate Federal Ministry or Ministries, our local MP and all Ontario Municipalities;
Town of Tillsonburg Re:CONNECTED. Carbon Tax – RequestENRICHED. for RollbackINSPIRED. Page 48www.ti1lsonburg.ca of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.4. Page 2 of 3
CONNECTED. ENRICHED, INSPIRED.
AND FURTHER THAT this resolution be shared with all neighbouring communities with the request to support the resolution put forth from the Town of Tillsonburg. Carried
Stephen Molnar Mayor
Copy to: AMO, County of Oxford and Municipalities within Oxford, MP, MPP
Town of Tillsonburg Re:CONNECTED. Carbon Tax – ENRICHED.Request for RollbackINSPIRED. Page 49www.ti11sor1burg.ca of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.5.
April 21, 2020
To: Municipalities of Ontario – by email
Re: A Resolution to Request the Province of Ontario Review the Farm Property Class Tax Rate Programme in Light of Economic Competitiveness Concerns between Rural and Urban Municipalities
Please be advised that at its March 10, 2020 meeting, the Council of the Township of Mapleton carried the following Resolution 2020-04-14:
WHEREAS the Province of Ontario implemented changes to property assessment and introduced taxation reform which came into effect in 1998; AND WHEREAS prior to 1998 farm properties were subject to taxation at the base residential tax rate and qualified farmers applied annually to the province to be reimbursed 75% of the farm portion of the taxes paid to the local municipality; AND WHEREAS the province changed the method of delivering farmer’s rebates by creating the Farm Property Class Tax Rate Programme under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA); AND WHEREAS rather than apply annually and wait for property tax rebates, the delivery of the programme shifted to local municipal governments and onto the property tax system; AND WHEREAS eligible farmland assessment values are now locally subsidized by 75% of their full current value assessment (CVA) to produce a lower weighted assessment base which is used for tax rate setting purposes; AND WHEREAS the effect of the locally subsidized weighted assessment shifts an increased burden of tax onto all other property classes within the municipality; AND WHEREAS these taxation reforms were originally supposed to be revenue neutral and offset by funding from the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) and its predecessor the Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF); AND WHEREAS the province has been reducing support from the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund while the cost of the farm tax rebate programme is continuously increasing; AND WHEREAS an economically competitive agricultural industry provides affordable food and agricultural products to all Ontarians and is a provincial objective that should be cost shared amongst all of its citizens; AND WHEREAS the cost of this programme disproportionately falls upon property taxpayers in rural municipalities; AND WHEREAS higher property taxes in rural municipalities is creating economic competitiveness issues between rural and urban municipalities; (over for page two)
Township of Mapleton 7275 Sideroad 16, Box 160, Drayton, Ontario NOG 1PO Phone: 519-638-3313 Fax: 519-638-5113 Toll Free: 1-800-385-7248 Township of Mapleton Re: Request for Review of Farm Property Class Tax...www.mapleton.ca Page 50 of 73
AGENDA ITEM #8.5.
Page 2 of 2, Mapleton Resolution Re: Prov. Review of Farm Property Class Tax Rate Programme
AND WHEREAS the province hasn’t undertaken a review of this programme since it was implemented in 1998; NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Township of Mapleton requests that: 1. The Province of Ontario undertake a review of the Farm Property Tax Class Rate Programme to determine: a. The appropriateness of the cost of the Farm Property Tax Class Rate Programme falling disproportionately amongst rural residential and business property owners when the benefit of an economically competitive agricultural industry and affordable food and agricultural products is a provincial objective that should be shared amongst all taxpayers in Ontario; b. The adequacy of funding being provided to rural municipalities to offset the cost of the Farm Property Tax Class Rate Programme; c. The differences between the amount of property taxes paid in rural and urban municipalities and the root causes of those differences; d. Economic competitiveness concerns with disproportionately higher average property taxes being paid in rural municipalities; e. Other methods of delivering the farm tax rebate programme to farmland owners where the cost can be shared province-wide. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this motion be sent to Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, Hon. Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Hon. Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance, Hon. Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs, MPP Randy Pettapiece, Hon. Ted Arnott, all Ontario Municipalities, Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) and Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
Attached you will find the County of Wellington Committee Report dated January 16, 2020 regarding the ‘Farm Property Class Tax Rate Programme’ for review and consideration.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the undersigned.
Sincerely
Larry Wheeler Deputy Clerk
Attach. (1)
Township of Mapleton 7275 Sideroad 16, Box 160, Drayton, Ontario NOG 1PO Phone: 519-638-3313 Fax: 519-638-5113 Toll Free: 1-800-385-7248 Township of Mapleton Re: Request for Review of Farm Property Class Tax...www.mapleton.ca Page 51 of 73
AGENDA ITEM #8.5.
COMMITTEE REPORT
To: Chair and Members of the Administration, Finance and Human Resources Committee From: Ken DeHart, County Treasurer Date: Thursday, January 16, 2020 Subject: Farm Property Class Tax Rate Programme
Background: The Province of Ontario implemented changes to property assessment and introduced taxation reform which came into effect in 1998. Prior to this, farm properties were subject to taxation at the base residential tax rate and farmers applied annually to the Minister of Finance to be reimbursed 75% of the farm portion of taxes paid to the local municipality.
As part of assessment reform, the Province changed the method of delivering farmer’s rebates by creating the Farm Property Class Tax Rate Programme under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). Under the new programme, rather than apply annually and wait for property tax rebates, delivery of the programme shifted to local municipal governments and onto the property tax system. Eligible farmland assessment values are now discounted by -75% of their full current value assessment (CVA) to produce a lower weighted assessment base which is used for tax rate setting purposes. With residential tax rates being the benchmark ratio of 1.0, farmlands have been set in legislation to have a 0.25 ratio or lower. The effect of the discounted weighted assessment shifts an increased burden of tax onto all other property classes in the County by way of increasing the benchmark tax rate. Doing so has a pronounced effect on the residential sector which comprises 78% of the County’s levy base. By comparison, farmland taxes comprise 7% of the total levy base.
2019 CVA % raw CVA WTD CVA % Wtd CVA 2019 Levy % of Levy Residential 12,584,607,345 68.02% 12,584,474,157 77.91% 77,709,877 77.91% Multi Residential 86,932,592 0.47% 165,171,925 1.02% 1,019,946 1.02% Farmland 4,499,862,369 24.32% 1,124,965,592 6.96% 6,946,730 6.96% Commercial 863,761,038 4.67% 1,287,867,708 7.97% 7,952,660 7.97% Industrial 368,081,028 1.99% 882,959,280 5.47% 5,452,326 5.47% Pipeline 41,303,954 0.22% 92,933,897 0.58% 573,872 0.58% Managed Forest 55,959,714 0.30% 13,989,929 0.09% 86,389 0.09% County Total 18,500,508,040 100.00% 16,152,362,486 100.00% 99,741,800 100.00%
Challenges facing Rural Municipalities Shifting of farmland discounted assessment onto residential taxpayers is specific to rural municipalities. Schedule A shows the difference between raw (unweighted) assessment roll values and resulting weighted assessment in Wellington County as compared to a typical urban municipality. In 2019 the residential tax class comprised 68.02% of Wellington County’s assessment base, but the residential class pays 77.91% of property taxes once tax ratios are factored in. The farmland ratio of 0.25 has the effect of increasing the residential tax burden by approximately 10% across the County. Township of Mapleton Re: Request for Review of Farm Property Class Tax... Page 52 of 73 199 AGENDA ITEM #8.5. Conversely, in an urban municipality with very little farm tax class, the residential assessment base of 78.50% is reduced to 66.27% of total weighted assessment used for tax rate setting purposes. A reduction of more than 12% off the residential tax burden. This causes Wellington County economic competitiveness issues for the County’s southern municipalities that border a number of urban municipal centres. Tax policy treatment greatly favours urban municipalities in Ontario.
Since the cost of providing the Farm Property Class Tax Rate Programme was downloaded by the province in 1998; provincial funds have been allocated annually to rural municipalities to offset the tax loss. This was supposed to be a revenue neutral allocation. However, each year transfer amounts from the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) continue to decline. The Table below shows that a total tax levy of $34,669,691 was necessary in order to provide the farmland tax incentive rebate benefiting 5,807 farm property owners in Wellington. The OMPF allocation county-wide in 2019 was $7,065,800 leaving a shortfall of more than $27 million in levy which is shifted onto every other property owner in Wellington County. This translates to $754 per property in the County or 15.7% of total taxes for the typical homeowner. This is a significant amount of additional property tax burden that our residents continue to bear annually and which are subject to increase depending on market value of farmlands.
In essence, County residents are providing the -75% rebate instead of the Province for the Farm Property Class Tax Rate Programme, creating significant financial hardship amongst our ratepayers and limiting the County’s economic competitiveness with neighbouring jurisdictions.
WELLINGTON COUNTY - 2019 FARMLAND PROPERTIES OMPF FUNDING TO MITIGATE COST OF FARM PROPERTY CLASS TAX REBATE
Municipal Municipal Municipal County Rebate* Total Additional Municipality Rebates OMPF Grant Levy Impact Distribution Levy Required
Puslinch $ 232,040 $ 415,700 $ (183,660) $ 2,846,353 $ 2,662,693 Guelph/Eramosa $ 1,137,235 $ 490,300 $ 646,935 $ 3,120,713 $ 3,767,649 Erin $ 890,468 $ 593,300 $ 297,168 $ 2,852,697 $ 3,149,866 Centre Wellington $ 1,987,127 $ 319,600 $ 1,667,527 $ 5,553,231 $ 7,220,758 Mapleton $ 5,235,570 $ 837,400 $ 4,398,170 $ 1,961,338 $ 6,359,507 Minto $ 1,446,483 $ 1,604,600 $ (158,117) $ 1,153,001 $ 994,884 Wellington North $ 2,900,554 $ 1,296,800 $ 1,603,754 $ 1,844,780 $ 3,448,534 Wellington County $ 20,840,213 $ 1,508,100 $ 19,332,113
Total $ 34,669,691 $ 7,065,800 $ 27,603,891 $ 19,332,113 $ 27,603,891
Additional levy required to provide farm rebate after OMPF grant Total Properties ** 36,607 Tax per property $754 Less # of Farms 5,807 30,800 Excluding farms $896 Population 97,610 Tax per resident $283 * County farm rebate distribution based on local municipal levy % share ** excludes special/exempt properties
Township of Mapleton Re: Request for Review of Farm Property Class Tax... Page 53 of 73 200 AGENDA ITEM #8.5. Farm Application Deadline Requirements Another challenge faced by rural municipalities is how the farm application and deadline requirements are administered by OMAFRA (now by AgriCorp). In any given year, many farm owners do not submit their applications within the specified deadline. The result is that many bona fide farm properties end up ‘flipping’ out of the discounted farm class and into the full residential tax class upon the next roll return. The assessment of these farm values are no longer discounted when calculating total weighted assessment, which is used for tax rate setting purposes.
This creates two distinct ongoing problems for rural municipalities. One is that the benchmark residential tax rate is lower than it otherwise would be; and two, upon approval of the late applications by OMAFRA, municipalities must refund the -75% difference in farm taxes retroactive to January of the current or sometimes even the preceding taxation year. There is no administrative or monetary penalty for late applications. Each year Wellington County finds approximately $20,000,000 of farmland valuation excluded from the farmland discount programme due to late applications.
This year staff identified a major anomaly with farmland assessment loss of close to $90,000,000. Upon enquiry, it was reasoned that the extremely high change in farm CVA was due to administrative changes as programme delivery shifted from OMAFRA to AgriCorp. County staff expect that most of the outstanding farm applications will be approved and revert back to the farm tax rate during 2020. Staff have included an additional $300,000 in estimated property tax write-offs into the 2020 budget to set aside additional funds in preparation for the County’s share of potential write-offs as tabled below:
2019 FARMLAND CVA CHANGE OVER TO RESIDENTIAL RT CLASS (Between September 25 in-year growth and final November 2019 growth) Possible write-off amounts IF all properties revert back to AGRICORP approved FTIP
PUSLINCH GET ERIN CTR WELL MPLTN MINTO WN COUNTY Est Prop Count -20 -24 -26 -18 -22 -19 -28 -157 Farm CVA Loss 8,500,000 17,500,000 13,000,000 10,000,000 19,000,000 5,000,000 16,500,000 89,500,000
Res Tax Rate 0.00167135 0.00260652 0.00295749 0.00321969 0.00476387 0.00544891 0.00481749 0.00617506 Res Taxes 14,206 45,614 38,447 32,197 90,514 27,245 79,489 552,668
Farm Tax Rate 0.00041784 0.00065163 0.00073938 0.00080492 0.00119097 0.00136223 0.00120437 0.00154376 Farm Taxes 3,552 11,404 9,612 8,049 22,628 6,811 19,872 138,167
Potential w/o * ($10,655) ($34,211) ($28,835) ($24,148) ($67,885) ($20,433) ($59,616) ($414,501)
* excludes Education Tax Component Grand Total* ($660,285)
Farmland Property Assessment Valuation The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is responsible for placing current market value assessment (CVA) on all properties in Ontario. The most recent province-wide reassessment updating the base year to January 1, 2016 was returned for the 2017 tax year. As mandated by the Province, any assessment increases are phased-in over a 4-year cycle. MPAC reported the average farmland increase province-wide was 64% and residential CVA increased by 18%. By comparison, Wellington County CVA has increased by 68% and 13% respectively.
Township of Mapleton Re: Request for Review of Farm Property Class Tax... Page 54 of 73 201 AGENDA ITEM #8.5. In the 2016 Assessment Update Summary, MPAC reports they have strengthened the accuracy and equity of farm valuations by improved sales verification processes of bona fide farmer-to-farmer sales along with undertaking a comprehensive review of vacant farmland sales as far back as January 2008. They report that upward trends continue to increase provincially as demand for farmland outweighs the supply and non-agricultural buyers continue to purchase farmlands creating competition. Agri- Food Canada reported the net worth of an average farm was expected to reach $2.8 million in 2017.
Staff conducted a preliminary review of open market farm sales in Wellington County during 2018 and 2019. The data reveals that the current 2016 base year CVA of farm properties sold continue to be under-assessed by 27.43%. Sale prices ranged from $26,000 to $4,200,000.
Wellington County 2019 Farm Sales 2018 Farm Sales Total Sales
Number of valid farm sales 97 108 205 Total CVA of farm sales 90,515,500 89,366,400 179,881,900 Combined sale prices 130,333,790 117,533,356 247,867,146 Difference sales to assessment 39,818,290 28,166,956 67,985,246 As a percentage 30.55% 23.97% 27.43%
* source MPAC Municipal Connect
Assessment Act Considerations Current value assessment is defined as “the amount of money the fee simple, if unencumbered, would realize if sold at arm’s length by a willing seller to a willing buyer.” For farm properties, the province has clearly indicated that farm properties are to be treated different from the concept of current value. Section 19(5) of the Assessment Act requires that current value of the land and buildings should only be used when sales are for farm-purposes only and reflect the productivity of the land for farming purposes.
MPAC assessment methods must only consider farmer-to-farmer sales. In this case, the Assessment Act requires MPAC to exclude any sales to persons whose principal occupation is other than farming. This has the effect of excluding any other type of buyer and highest and best-use considerations from current value assessment.
From a land productivity perspective, land classes are adjusted for their productivity. For example, Class 1 farmlands are the most productive for crops, while on the other end of the scale, Class 6 is for swamp and scrublands that are the least productive. Lands in Wellington County and in particular, the southern portion of the County sell for far more per acre than what farms are assessed at for farm purposes. Analysis undertaken with regard to current assessment appeals shows that the best lands (Class 1) are currently being assessed in the $14,000 to $16,000 per acre range for farms. Sales of larger land holdings are selling in the range of $20,000 to $25,000 per acre range.
The intent of Section 19(5) of the Assessment Act is to limit and protect farm property from current value considerations outside of farming. This means that generally speaking, farms are naturally under-assessed from general market considerations – providing favourable assessments to the farming community in comparison to true market value.
Township of Mapleton Re: Request for Review of Farm Property Class Tax... Page 55 of 73 202 AGENDA ITEM #8.5. Other Assessment Considerations Farm owners who reside on the property do pay a residential tax component for their home plus one acre of land at the farmland rate. However, the valuation is based on a replacement cost method that produces a much lower value ($223,125) than non-farm residences ($424,187) as shown here on the average (County) property value and tax comparison.
Average 2019 Farm and Residential Value and Taxes
2019 farm house CVA 223,125 2019 Average Residential Property CVA $424,187 2019 Farmland CVA 901,900 Average 2019 total farm CVA $1,125,025
2019 farm house taxes $2,526 2019 farmland taxes $2,553 2019 total farm taxes $5,079 2019 Average residential taxes $4,803
As seen above, while the average farm value is assessed at over 2.6x the value of the average residential property, overall taxes are comparable.
According to MPAC’s 2019 Market Change Profile report, of the 6,465 properties classified as farms, 1,892 are owned and/or occupied by non-farmers. Although the property owners are not engaged in farm activity or business, their properties are valued as if they are. These non-farmers benefit from lower residential structure values and lower land values, which translate to lower taxes simply by nature of leasing their land to a bona fide local farmer. This treatment can be perceived as rather unfair to typical residential property owners in Wellington County.
Many owners of farmland also enjoy other property tax discounts if they are eligible to enter into either the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Programme (0.25 ratio) or the Conservation Land Programme which is fully exempt from property taxes.
In order to receive the farm class tax discount, the owner must have a Farm License and be in the business of farming. Municipal taxes paid are then able to be written off as a business expense on annual income tax returns. Whereas residential property owners are not able to do so.
Impacts of Assessment Increases on the Farming Community Being predominantly a rural community with strong roots planted in farm trades, Wellington County farmers observed significant increases in their farmland valuation. It is acknowledged that farmland values have increased significantly in the County of Wellington. In the 2012 base year valuation, farmland made up 19.8% of the County’s assessment base and 5.4% of the taxable assessment base. For the 2016 base year valuation, farmland now makes up 25.1% of the Wellington County assessment base and 7.2% of the taxable assessment base.
Recently, groups such as the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (see correspondence received on this agenda) and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture began approaching local Councils to lower the farmland ratio below 0.25 in order to help offset property tax increases. Their efforts have been successful in some municipalities. Schedule B lists the municipalities that have implemented farmland ratio reductions in Ontario as reported to BMA Consultants in the 2019 Municipal Study Report.
Township of Mapleton Re: Request for Review of Farm Property Class Tax... Page 56 of 73 203 AGENDA ITEM #8.5.
When reviewing the list of municipalities on Schedule B, the majority of those municipalities have very little farmland valuation. Many of the urban municipalities that have granted farm ratio reductions have a much higher commercial and industrial base and farmland makes up a much lower percentage of their assessment base than Wellington County.
Many of the other Counties and rural municipalities that have granted ratio reductions (Brant, Chatham-Kent, Dufferin, Grey, Lambton and Oxford) are located further away from the GTA. These municipalities generally have lower residential assessment values and are not competing with GTA municipalities for business to the same extent as Wellington County.
Property Taxes as a Percentage of Income OMAFRA reported that in 2018, Wellington County farmers generated $804,000,000 of revenue at the farm gate. The table below shows farm property taxes as a percentage of farm income to be 1.49%. Average household income in Wellington County for the same period was $118,474. Average property tax as a percentage of residential income was significantly higher at 4.02%.
Average Farm and Residential Assessment and Taxation 2018 County average residential value 409,368 Total average property taxes * 4,764 Average income 118,474 Portion of residential income devoted to property taxes 4.02%
Total farm taxes paid in Wellington County * 11,971,488 County farmers income ** 804,000,000 Portion of farm income devoted to property taxes 1.49%
* total taxes include County, local and Education
Closing Comments Farmland values have been increasing significantly in the County of Wellington, much like other areas of the province. However, there does not appear to be an imbalance in the level of property tax burden shared by the local farming community in comparison to the average residential taxpayer in Wellington County. Under current legislation, farmland benefits from favourable property tax and assessment treatment.
The County’s current assessment base cannot bear a further shift from farmland taxes onto other property types and maintain its economic competitiveness. Wellington County does not have a comparable commercial and industrial assessment base to neighbouring urban municipalities that would support such a shift without significantly burdening our residential and business class owners. Provincial grants such as the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund, which were originally setup to compensate rural municipalities for the loss in farm taxes has been declining, leaving Wellington County taxpayers to support the industry without adequate province-wide cost sharing.
Wellington County is supportive of its local farming community. We recognize the importance of the agricultural industry on the County and in the Province of Ontario. Wellington supports the farming communities’ interests in remaining economically competitive. The County is supportive of returning
Township of Mapleton Re: Request for Review of Farm Property Class Tax... Page 57 of 73 204 AGENDA ITEM #8.5. the responsibility of funding the farm property class tax rebate programme back to the Province where it could be shared province-wide. Residents in urban municipalities, while retaining the benefits of cheap food and agricultural products, are not contributing financially to the economic competitiveness of the industry.
Recommendation: That the Farm Property Class Tax Rate Programme report be received for information; and
That Wellington County support agricultural industry efforts in lobbying the Province to provide adequate funding to rural municipalities; and
That County Council pass a resolution in support of returning the responsibility of administering the Farm Property Class Tax Rate Programme back to the Province.
Respectfully submitted,
Ken DeHart, CPA, CGA County Treasurer
Township of Mapleton Re: Request for Review of Farm Property Class Tax... Page 58 of 73 205 AGENDA ITEM #8.5.
SCHEDULE A Farm Property Class Tax Rate Programme
Township of Mapleton Re: Request for Review of Farm Property Class Tax... Page 59 of 73 206 AGENDA ITEM #8.5.
SCHEDULE B Farm Property Class Tax Rate Programme Municipalities with Farmland Ratio Reductions Implemented - 2019
Municipality * Ratio Farmland CVA ** Brant County 0.2400 1,319,886,818 Caledon 0.1708 998,099,123 Chathan-Kent 0.2200 5,281,633,220 Dufferin County 0.2300 1,174,945,084 Durham Region 0.2000 2,416,491,305 Greater Sudbury 0.2000 30,618,833 Grey County 0.2400 2,659,127,624 Halton Region 0.2000 971,078,709 Hamilton 0.1767 1,390,781,027 Kingston 0.2125 81,575,403 Lambton County 0.2260 4,794,630,528 London 0.1028 425,488,846 North Bay 0.1500 605,465 Ottawa 0.2000 1,561,813,865 Oxford County 0.2350 5,665,102,027 Prince Edward County 0.2319 401,646,726 Sarnia 0.2260 181,579,114
Average Ratio & CVA 0.2036 1,726,770,807
Wellington County 0.2500 4,464,961,956
* 2019 BMA Study Report - participating municipalities ** from MPAC Provincial Market Change Profile Report
Township of Mapleton Re: Request for Review of Farm Property Class Tax... Page 60 of 73 207
AGENDA ITEM #8.6.
OCF COVID-19 Press Release Heroes Among Us April 22, 2020
Who is your local COVID-19 Hero? Name your hero and we’ll help you recognize them!
Oxford Community Foundation (OCF) is helping Oxford county residents thank and remember our COVID-19 pandemic “Heroes Among Us”.
“These are trying times for everyone,” explains OCF Executive Director Louise Wardrop. “As we continue to grant to organizations helping to get through this crisis and make our community better, we’re hearing about the amazing people keeping us safe and fed and inspiring hope. People who work in healthcare, in our nursing homes, for our food banks, on our helplines, in our shelters, in our grocery stores, on our farms, delivering our necessities, children who are drawing inspirational messages on our driveways and yes, everyone staying home maintaining their physical distance... all of these people are true heroes.”
Who is your hero? Name your hero and we’ll help you recognize them!
This recognition won’t be for just today. With any donation to the “Heroes Among Us Fund” at Oxford Community Foundation, your hero will receive a Heroes certificate letting them know you’re thinking of them and that you consider them a hero. Your hero’s story will be shared on our social media, on our website and at our annual meeting. And best of all, grants in recognition of these unsung heroes will be made from the Fund in support of our community’s most urgent needs today and for years to come.
To lift the spirits of someone feeling socially isolated or to recognize a hero, please go to our website www.oxfordcommunityfoundation.org
Oxford Community Foundation keeps all donations in Oxford County. We have granted more than $630,000 to over 100 local organizations and we’re continuing to grant. Currently, we have up to $40,000 for food security programs available through the Maple Leaf Community Fund, $6,000 available in bursaries and there are more grants coming. Please see our website for more information.
Each year grants from endowed funds support the entire community including social services, education, arts and culture, the environment, heritage and recreation. We help people leave personalized, lasting legacies. The power of endowment means that we can continue to support Oxford County’s ever evolving needs including in times of crisis. That’s the value of a community foundation. We are here for the long haul.
Contact information: Louise Wardrop, Executive Director, Oxford Community Foundation [email protected] , 226-232-6222
OCF Volunteer Board of Directors: Bill Mackesy (Chair), Keith Stevens (Vice-chair), Richard Fanning (Treasurer), Liz Lessif (ex-officio Past Chair), Neil Dolson, Rosemary George, Don Hilborn, Mary Holmes, Michael Kukhta, Oxford Community Foundation John MacDonald, Steve Robb, Karen Sample, Kelly Gilson (ex-officio United Way) Re: Heroes Amongst Us Page 61 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.7.
April 23, 2020 AMO COVID-19 Update: Municipal Fiscal Issues and other items of municipal interest
COVID-19 Municipal Fiscal Issues
One of the first issues AMO raised with provincial government upon the declaration of the COVID-19 emergency was the impact on municipal finances, both added operational costs and lost revenues.
It continues to be the focus of our active advocacy and discussion with our members and with the Government of Ontario. In March, the province provided an important $200 million down payment to help with added human services costs and to fund added emergency benefits through Ontario Works. The approach was much needed and notably flexible.
The province followed up in its March Fiscal and Economic Statement with authority to delay education tax remittances, and other measures, to support municipal cashflow. One of the most important messages at that time from the Minister of Finance was that it was just a “first step”, recognizing more would be needed. Finance Minister Phillips has repeated that message on a number of occasions.
AMO has continued these discussions with the province and the Government of Ontario is eager to better understand the short- and long-term financial impacts, the best way to assist municipal governments, and the potential opportunities to support recovery and economic stimulus.
As well, FCM has just released its request to the Government of Canada. AMO supports the FCM request because it will, if implemented by the federal government, benefit municipalities in every part of Ontario with immediate and flexible financial assistance, help with massive losses in transit revenue, and potentially support infrastructure investment.
AMO COVID-19 Update Re: Municipal Fiscal Issues and Other items of Mu... Page 62 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.7.
FCM is seeking $10 billion in federal funds for municipal relief. It is advocating for a hybrid allocation-based model based on additional gas tax funding of $7.6 billion and an additional $2.4 billion based on public transit ridership.
The FCM proposal is based on municipal allocations of $35 per capita, per month, for six months. Public transit funding is based on the Canadian Urban Transit Association’s estimated need of $400 million per month for six months (to match 2019 ridership and revenues). The proposal suggests that the provinces should assume responsibility for vulnerable individuals support, backstopping property tax deferrals and revenues, and additional grants.
Financial assistance from the federal and provincial government will be essential to the management of the current emergency and the recovery afterwards. Both Canada and Ontario have the fiscal capacity to backstop municipal operations through this crisis and to help underwrite the longer-term financial sustainability of Ontario’s diverse communities.
AMO will continue to work with its members and with government to advocate for measures that address the impacts of the COVID-19 emergency, support the underlying financial sustainability of municipalities, and recognize the indispensable role of municipal government in the economic recovery of Ontario and Canada.
Ontario Extends Emergency Orders
Today the province announced it would extend all emergency orders until May 6, 2020.
The orders mandate the continued closure of public places, social gatherings, and non-essential workplaces.
MPAC Offers Municipalities a Quarterly Payment Deferral
The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) wrote to all municipalities advising that it is offering a one-time deferral of its quarterly invoice. This measure supports municipal property tax deferrals. Nicole McNeill, MPAC’s President announced this news in an April 21st letter to CAOs, municipal finance staff, and Heads of Council.
AGCO to Resume Limited Cannabis Store Licensing
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) announced it has been authorized by the Ontario government to resume licensing of cannabis retail stores in certain circumstances. Previously, when the updated closure order was released, cannabis retail stores were closed to customers and then authorized for curb side pick up and delivery only. At the time, retail authorizations were expected to halt. Several
AMO COVID-19 Update Re: Municipal Fiscal Issues and Other items of Mu... Page 63 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.7.
retailers had moved far in the process of readying their stores to open, with construction completed and permits issued when that announcement was made.
As a result, AMO understands that retail stores meeting those criteria will be issued authorizations to open for curb side pick up and delivery only. Retailers issued authorizations in this period must comply with all regulatory requirements, emergency orders and legislation. Authorizations for stores in Toronto, Kingston, St. Thomas and Stratford have been granted licenses in the current round.
Guidance Posted on Suspension of Land Use Planning Timelines
Guidance on how to implement the new Sec. 70.11 of the Planning Act and O.Reg. 149/20 has now been posted on the ERO. The regulation implementing Planning Act Section 70.11 effectively suspends a number of timelines including those that, once exceeded, allow proponents to appeal non-decisions on specified applications. A list is provided in the guidance. The regulation also effectively suspends a number of processing / administrative timelines in the Planning Act and these are also listed in the guidance.
Municipal governments can choose to suspend planning activities while staff focus on emergency related activities or they can continue to process planning applications. Municipalities that choose to carry on with planning activities will need to organize means to address the public participation requirements of the Act. The guidance offers a number of suggestions on how this might be accomplished.
Government Extending Covid-19 Response Services to Low-Income Seniors and Disabled Persons
Working with the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA), the province has launched a new Ontario Community Support Program to expand existing Meals on Wheels services to reach low-income seniors and people with disabilities and chronic medical conditions across Ontario. The program will also develop the capacity of community organizations and others to help deliver medication and other essentials.
People in the community can request access to service through the OCSA website. Local 2-1-1 services will provide information and referral to the program for community residents. For more information on government initiatives to serve vulnerable residents, see the Ontario Newsroom.
Electronic Meetings Resource
AMO COVID-19 Update Re: Municipal Fiscal Issues and Other items of Mu... Page 64 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #8.7.
In partnership, AMCTO, MISA, OMAA and AMO have developed a resource to provide the legislative context and practical considerations for the task of undertaking electronic council meetings.
AMO’s COVID-19 Resources page is being updated continually so you can find critical information in one place. Please send any of your municipally related pandemic questions to [email protected].
*Disclaimer: The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is unable to provide any warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of third-party submissions. Distribution of these items does not imply an endorsement of the views, information or services mentioned.
Association of Municipalities of Ontario Please consider the environment 200 University Ave. Suite 801,Toronto ON Canada M5H 3C6 before printing this.
Wish to Adjust your AMO Communication Preferences ? Click Here
AMO COVID-19 Update Re: Municipal Fiscal Issues and Other items of Mu... Page 65 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #9.1.
-B.I.A. of Norwich Minutes from Mar 3, 2020
1. Call to Order BIA meeting was called to order on Tues. Mar 3, 2020 by Bob McLean In attendance were committee members: Laura Barker, Lynne Deplancke, April Greenwood, Kevin McLean, Mardy Fransen Guests: Suzanne Crosby, Jeanette VanLagen, Lis Stone
2. Approval of Treasurers Report Motion to approve: April Greenwood Second: Kevin All in favour 3. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes Motion to approve minutes: Kevin McLean Second: Mardy Fransen All in favour 4. Business arising from minutes: 4.1 Bus Tour: Laura will check with bus company when the bus tour will be confirmed. Send out reminder to businesses if they would like to include a coupon or offer for the tour. 4.2 Speed signs: Mardy will call the county to see if we can work out something on the speed signs. Lynne will inquire if someone would be able to come and speak to us regarding the plans around coping with the speeds in town. 4.3 Canada Day: Events planned for Canada Day are as follows: Parade, kids activities at Harold Bishop Park, Jr C’s will host a meal at the community center, will play 2 movies, baseball game and fireworks. 4.4 Planters: Brian will clean out the planters and take debris down to Holland Hitch. We have a carryover that will pay for the clean out and planting of the pansies.
Business Improvement Association Board Re: Meeting Minutes – March 3, ... Page 66 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #9.1.
5. New Business 5.1 Amish Requests: If the Amish want shade and a hitching post put in on the parking lot on Stover St. then they need to speak to the township directly. 5.2 Bike Trail: Fundraising for completion of the bike trail will start in mid-April. It was suggested to put a booth at Nostalgia Days to increase awareness and maybe create some funds. 5.3 Flower Bed: We are waiting on plans from the township for the flower bed on Washington St. 5.4 Nostalgia Days: Ritchies is going to do a movie night and a special. We will send out the invites for the pie eating contest to play for your favourite local charity. Lynne motioned to donate $1000.00 in BIA Bucks as the Grand Prize. Unanimous vote- motion passed. Lis has the car show well underway and has contacted the soccer club about volunteering again this year. The horse and buggies that we have used on previous years are now retired. Ted Hemilecki has a train that we will look into using. It is for sale.
Next meeting will be announced
Adjournment Motion: Lynne Deplancke Second: Mardy Fransen
Business Improvement Association Board Re: Meeting Minutes – March 3, ... Page 67 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #10.5.1
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS SUBJECT: 2020 ADDITIONAL PULVERIZING AND PAVING REPORT NO. PW-2020-09 COUNCIL MEETING DATEAPRIL 28, 2020
Approved Approved with Amendments Other Resolution #
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
As mentioned at the last Council meeting, our 2020 pulverizing and paving tender results have left us with a sizable budget surplus on the Middletown line and Stage Road work. Staff looked at the possibility of using some of this surplus to do some additional capital work that would accelerate our overall plan for road construction which is laid out in the Road Needs Study. Work that would be considered would have to fit financially and, preferably, be in close proximity to the other, budgeted, work. Although it is not scheduled until 2024, this section of Middletown Line, between Airport Road and Norwich Road, would fit these criteria.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS
As you are probably aware, this section of Middletown Line is a very heavily travelled road. It serves to by-pass the downtown for people travelling to and from southbound Oxford road 59 and has become busier since the 2016 improvements to Airport Road. The condition of this section is similar to, if not worse, than the sections already being resurfaced this year. Staff has obtained a price from Permanent Paving to pulverize and pave this extra mile and that price is $162,600 This cost could easily double by 2024 with higher oil prices and, hopefully, a covid 19-free world.
INTERDEPARTMENTAL IMPLICATIONS N/A
2020 Additional Pulverizing and Paving Report PW 2020-09 Page 68 of 73
AGENDA ITEM #10.5.1
FINANCIAL/STAFFING/LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
Table 1 below outlines the cost of the 2020 Capital Budget amendment. Report PW 2020-08 indicated a $342,000 surplus from the tender results. The adjusted projected surplus if the extra project is approved for $254,000, will be $70,000.
Table 1 2020 Capital Budget Amendment
Burgess Street Paving/Middletown Line culverts and gravel 87,000 Middletown Line paving 162,600 Non-Refundable HST 4,400 Total 254,000
Funding: Tax Levy (254,000)
The costing for culvert and gravel work includes a 15% contingency. The Stage Road is scheduled for an overlay only and requires no extra work. The total of $254,000 includes the Burgess Street paving ($23,400) which was already approved at the last Council meeting.
CONCLUSION It is Staff’s opinion that investing in this work now will not only help to accelerate our road construction plan but will also save a considerable amount of future capital funds and accelerate the plan even more in 2024.
RECOMMENDATION THAT Report PW-2020-09 Extra Pulverizing and Paving Report be received as information and that Council waives the tendering policy giving Staff authorization to have Permanent Paving complete this extra work.
AND THAT the 2020 Capital Budget be amended to include the project identified in Report PW 2020-09 for $254,000 to be funded from the tax levy.
ATTACHMENTS none
Prepared by: Approved by: Marty Lenaers Kyle Kruger Manager of Public Works CAO/Clerk
2020 Additional Pulverizing and Paving Report PW 2020-09 Page 69 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #10.5.1
2020 Additional Pulverizing and Paving Report PW 2020-09 Page 70 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #10.9.1
MEMORANDUM
TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: KIMBERLEY ARMSTRONG, DEPUTY CLERK SUBJECT: INTER-COMMUNITY TRANSIT PROJECT UPDATE DATE: APRIL 28, 2020
In January 2020, Council were updated on the Town of Tillsonburg initiative for an Inter- Community Transit Service.
The Town of Tillsonburg has since advised that they have met with the service provider and other Inter-Community Transit services and decided to delay the launch of the service until at least July 1st. The July 1st date is not firm and will be re-evaluated in late May or early June due to the current COVID-19 situation. They will be providing updates as they are available.
When new dates to launch the service have been established, the Township of Norwich will be helping to promote this service through our website, municipal office and other public buildings, preparing to sell bus passes on behalf of Tillsonburg and install signage at the stop locations.
ATTACHMENT None RECOMMENDATION That Council receive the Memorandum: Inter-Community Transit Project Update, as information.
Inter-Community Transit Project Update Memorandum Page 71 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #13.1.
THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF NORWICH
BY-LAW NUMBER 23-2020
TO CONFIRM ALL ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCIL
WHEREAS there may be instances where actions taken or authorized by Township Council are done so with benefit of the passage of an appropriate by-law;
AND WHEREAS there may be by-laws, rules and statutes of this municipality, the County of Oxford, the Province of Ontario, and the Government of Canada which require such actions to have benefit of the passage of an appropriate by-law in order for these actions to be legally undertaken;
AND WHEREAS the failure of Township Council to pass appropriate by-laws under these circumstances would be considered to be a matter of oversight and ignorance that would not have occurred had Council been aware of the requirement to pass appropriate by-laws;
AND WHEREAS such failures should they occur, may be rectified after the fact through the passage of a confirming by-law;
NOW THEREFORE the Council of The Corporation of The Township of Norwich hereby enacts as follows:
1. That all actions and proceedings of the Council taken at its meetings on the dates listed in Schedule “A” attached, not done with benefit of by-law but which in accordance with the rules and requirements of the laws and statutes of this municipality, the County of Oxford, the Province of Ontario, and the Government of Canada require such actions to have benefit of the passage of an appropriate by-law in order for these actions to be legally undertaken, are hereby sanctioned, ratified and confirmed as though set out herein.
2. That any member of Council who dissented from any action or proceeding or has abstained from discussion and voting thereon shall be deemed to have dissented or abstained, as the case may be, in respect to the by-law as it applies to such action or proceeding.
READ A FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD TIME AND FINALLY PASSED THIS 28th DAY OF APRIL, 2020.
______MAYOR LARRY MARTIN
______CAO / CLERK KYLE KRUGER
No. 23-2020 To Confirm All Actions and Proceedings of Council Page 72 of 73 AGENDA ITEM #13.1.
THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF NORWICH BY-LAW N0. 23-2020
List of meetings at which all actions and proceedings of Council taken but not done with benefit of by- law, and which in accordance with the rules and requirements of the laws and statutes of this municipality, the County of Oxford, the Province of Ontario, and the Government of Canada, requiring such actions to have benefit of the passage of an appropriate by-law in order for these actions to be legally undertaken, which are hereby sanctioned, ratified and confirmed by this by-law:
April 28, 2020
No. 23-2020 To Confirm All Actions and Proceedings of Council Page 73 of 73