- That the staff report dated December 7, 2021, entitled 2022 Operating and Capital Budget Deliberations from the Finance Department, be received.
- That the recommendations contained in Appendix A of this report, as revised below, be approved:
- That the 2022 recommended operating budget as presented in the 2022 Budget and Business Plans document be approved, subject to the following adjustments:
a. That an increase to the Heritage Grant Program annual budget from $90,000 to $120,000 be approved;
b. That the 2022 Budget Committee approve the following service level improvements for the Town’s Bulk Loose Leaf Collection Program commencing in 2022:
1. Provide bulk loose leaf collection service to areas/roadways adjacent to mature woodlots;
2. Provide bulk loose leaf collection to areas with increasing service levels based on the following area age matrix:
i. Area age: 25 years -> Initial 1 service pass provided
ii. Area age: 40 years -> additional 2nd service pass provided
iii. Area age: 60 years -> full 3 pass service provided
3. Removal of the spring loose leaf collection program in favour of an ad-hoc spring pick-up if/when the fall program service level is not met;
4. Increased communications/marketing efforts;
c. That $2,300 be added to the 2022 operating budget as set out within the November 16, 2021 staff report entitled Bulk Loose Leaf Collection Program – Proposed Improvements to support the proposed service level change;
d. That $225,000 (net) be added to the 2022 Operating Budget for the operation of 14 Automated Speed Enforcement cameras for a six-month period in 2022, based on an annualized cost of $470,000;
e. That $260,000 be added to the 2022 Operating Budget for additional staff resources for a two-year period to support the Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Program;
f. That $50,000 be added to the 2022 Operating Budget for Communications to support the Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Program;
g. That the Commercial Recovery Initiative be extended to December 31, 2022;
h. That the permit fees for approvals and use of town lands associated with the Commercial Recovery Initiative be waived for 2022 and that the revenue shortfall be funded in the same manner as the town’s other COVID impacts;
i. That the Winter Recreation Strategy for the 2021/2022 season, be approved;
j. That $352,900 for the Winter Recreation Strategy be added to the 2022 operating budget and be funded in the same manner as the town’s other COVID impacts;
k. That the four permanent Mobile Compliance Officers included in the 2022 budget be removed resulting in a $480,000 reduction and that staff report back on COVID impacts and service level standards in 2022 for Municipal Enforcement, including in Parks, and any staffing implications as a result of their findings;
l. That $500,000 be transferred from the Tax Stabilization reserve in recognition of the anticipated savings to be identified through efficiency review work in Facilities and Recreation over the 2022-2024 period; and
m. That $947,900 of assessment growth, expected to be 1.44%, be used to fund the operating budget.
2. That the 2022 recommended capital budget as presented in the 2022 Budget and Business Plans document be approved, subject to the following adjustments:
a. That $50,000 be added to the 2022 Capital Budget for speed studies to be conducted in the Neighbourhood 40 km/h Zones with funding provided from the Capital Reserve;
b. That $20,000 be added to the 2022 Capital Budget for the implementation of the 11 Community Safety Zones approved by Council on October 18, 2021 with funding provided from the Capital Reserve;
c. That $100,000 be added to the 2022 Capital Budget for data collection and monitoring to support the Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Program with funding provided from the Capital Reserve;
d. That $40,000 be added to the 2022 Capital Budget for the Traffic Safety Analysis Software Pilot with funding provided from the Capital Reserve;
e. That $500,000 be added to the 2022 Capital Budget, which combined with $500,000 in the existing project 53411801 Traffic Signal Construction Program, will provide $1,000,000 for the installation of 20 pedestrian crossovers in 2022 with funding provided from the Capital Reserve;
f. That the recommended 2022 aerial spray program include forested areas having more than 3,750 LDD egg mass density, corresponding to severe and heavy defoliation;
g. That Option 2, as outlined within the November 16, 2021 staff report entitled 2022 LDD Management Program, Nov 23, 2021, be approved as the recommended 2022 LDD Management Program, at an estimated cost of $752,500, to be funded from the Capital Reserve; and
h. That staff continue to liaise with Conservation Halton and Ontario Parks in an effort to include areas under their jurisdictions in aerial spraying programs or other mitigation measures in 2022.
3. That the Town of Oakville 2022 net levy request of $222,136,800 be approved resulting in a 1.67% increase in the town share of the residential property tax bill representing an approximate 1.50% overall residential tax rate increase, and that the Treasurer be authorized to confirm and adjust these amounts if required, prior to Council’s approval of the Budget on December 20, 2021.
4. That any surplus or deficit resulting from a difference in the actual assessment growth from the budgeted assessment growth be transferred to/from the Tax Stabilization reserve.
5. That Council approve debt financing in the amount of $26 million towards the funding of the North Park Community Centre and Library and that the debt charges be repaid through future development charge collections.
6. That the rates and fees established in the rates and fees schedule attached as Appendix A to the November 9, 2021 report from the Finance Department be approved for implementation on January 1, 2022.
7. That amendments to existing by-laws containing fees be presented directly to Council for approval as required.
8. That the remaining Appendices B to G to the staff report dated December 7, 2021 from the Finance department be received.