Person right here.
Hello, and good evening, Everybody welcome tonight. The clerk informs
me that it's 07:00 p.m.. And we will begin with
the meeting. We will start with a moment of silent
reflection. The singing of Old Canada and the traditional land
acknowledgment please rise.
We acknowledge that the land we gather on is part
of the Treaty lands and territory of the mississaugas of
the Credit First nation. We recognize the traditional territory of
the huron, vendette and the hodin ashone people. We also
acknowledge the First Nation, métis and the inuit people who
live on these lands. Today, we commit to working towards
reconciliation. Please be seated. Hello, everyone. Welcome to tonight's meeting.
I'm councilor samira Ali, and I'll be your budget chair
for tonight's meeting. At this point I will look to
the clerk to see if she has any advice for
us. Thank you. In terms of announcements, I wanted to
note that a revised agenda was posted on Friday, December
1, which included the addition of Marshall horner as a
delegate for this evening's meeting with regard to Staff Report
Course 57 23 related to the 2024 Capital and Operating
budget. I wanted to advise that Doug Watson. Has withdrawn
his registered delegation for this evening's meeting. I also wanted
to note that the written submission from Hunter, colhane. Regarding
Staff Report Course 57, 23 2024 Capital and Operating Budget
was circulated to members of Council in advance of this
meetings. Thank you, madam clerk, for that update. Are there
any disclosures of pecuniary interest? Councilor Best? Yes, madam Chair.
As I discussed with staff earlier, I have declared a
conflict on the milton Seniors Activity Center part time salaries,
as my wife is employed there as an instructor. Thank
you for letting us know. And just for our Council
members and the audience reference, that will be the. Clause
for B of the clauses that will be discussed on
later. Thank you for that declaration councilor. Best at this
point I've been looking at our cfo to see if
he has any comments to add. Thank you, Chair. Just
a couple of minor things just to confirm for Council
that all of the remaining. Feedback from the let's Talk
milton page has been received, has been circulated to Council
this morning along with all of the remaining questions and
responses from staff. I'd also just like to note that
similar to prior years, we will be updating Council through
this meeting with the update as to where the operating
budget and tax impacts reside along the way. When doing
so, Council will recall and I'll speak to this a
little more. In my presentation, there is an updated figure
from the regional level. That process is not complete yet,
but there is an updated figure that's been requested. By
the police board. So for the sake of tonight's discussion,
we'll refer to the higher number and I'll walk you
through that in the presentation later on. Thank you. Thank
you to our cfo for that update. We will now
move on to the delegate section. Delegation section. Offer agenda
and I would like to at this point welcome those
members of the public that have registered as delegates for
the 2024 budget. I'd also like to remind our delegates
that they will each have five minutes to provide their
comments, after which Council may have some questions regarding their
present. Presentation. And as the clerk has just confirmed that
one of our delegates has dropped off. So we have
only one tonight. And that is Mr. Marshall. Please comfort
Mr. Horner.
It works. Get myself organized here for a moment.
My name is Marshall horner. I reside at 524 sunnyvale
crescent in Milk, in Ontario. Madam Chair, Members of Council
and staff. On November 20 of this year, I left
a letter for the Mayor and each member of Council
expressing my concern of counsel not continuing a program started
at the 2023 budget meeting of finally ensuring all four
urban fire stations in milton being completely staffed 24/7 with
full. Time professional career firefighters. With my calculations, the difference
between the 9.50% an increase was no specific or transparent
detail and the 13.6% discussion level recommended by staff. Is
on our home at 524 sunnyvale Creshen. $60.12. Of that
amount. $14.0.66 is my cost to provide 24/7 coverage from
Station three. It may not be sufficient to fully fund
the staffing, but will it allow me to sleep with
a clear conscience. Here is my payment. Number of
years ago, a group of residents seen the need to
growth in our community. Was going through. Place on the
current hospital facility. Set about making that need known to
the provincial government. A campaign of growth was introduced to
ensure the required services for our new young neighbors would
need would be here before they arrived. As stated in
my written presentation, I do not believe that growth pays
for growth. However. The intent of Bill Three is to
aggressively increase the number of homes made available in our
community. A level which will create in the future. A
unique burden on the residents to support reasonable new infrastructure
services. As such. The province must accept the responsibility to
provide the seed money to support that insistent demand for
housing. They should provide the monies required to ensure safety
and other services. Are in place as the new communities
mature to a level to support these amenities. If Council
stands together to meet our current obligation to fund the
staffing of Station Three, I believe it becomes incumbent upon
people such as myself to ensure the higher levels of
government are made aware of what we feel are their
oblig. Obligations in helping our communities grow. In a safe
and secure environment. A challenge if Council tonight supports each
other in providing equal services to all current residents, I
will engage in along with encouraging other members of our
community. Starting tomorrow to impact what we feel for present
and possible future. Provincial Representatives Obligations to be met. Perhaps
at this time we replace the postcards used for the
hospital campaign with modern day social media. To contact all
political parties to remind them of their responsibility to turn
growth pays for growth to Growth enhances value. In our
community. A couple of years ago, I raised the question
of the actual number of full time, 24, 7365 day
per year fire units available. And a senior member of
Council waited until I left the podium before asking a
member of the fire Department. A question was not. In
the same vein as my statement, he received a political
but inaccurate answer. As I had left the podium, I
was not able to address the false statement. Tonight, I
would appreciate one of two courtesies. Questions in reference to
my presentation be addressed before I leave the podium in
order for me to properly clarify my position and or
statements. Or any statements made in reference to my presentation
after I leave the podium, if I stand at my
seat, I be given a point of order to address
those statements. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Horner, for your
delegation and for keeping it within the five minute time
slot. Are there any members that was difficult. Certainly. And
appreciate that. Councilor Best has a question for you. Yes.
Thank you for your presentation and your continued interest in
the budgets you mentioned about. The previous statement. Could you
just highlight to Council what that statement was and what
you thought was incorrect about it. At the time. We
had one full time fire truck on the streets of
milton. The question was asked. And it was a chief
who is no longer here. About the number of vehicles
that we had. And the answer was that. We had
a number. We had eight or nine. However. They were
all part time. Respondents. And as I pointed out in
my letter that I sent around the time for them
to respond. Is added dramatically. As I said, right now.
We're missing eight firefighters. My calculations. And I haven't heard
anybody dispute them. They may be wrong. Is about 730
some odd thousand dollars. It's zero point 87% of your
budget. Thank you. Councilor culky has a question for you.
Thanks madam Chair, if you wanted to stick around, there
will be a resolution on the floor at a moment
later on in relation to Fire Services. If you want
to hear that so that way you're not. Thank you.
I do have some questions with regard to. The presentation
that was done, I guess last week and the minutes
that were presented for that. There were some ambiguous. Answers.
The question itself was ambiguous, and some of the answers
I feel were ambiguous. One of the people that I
have a great deal of concern for. And because of
my age, it may affect me and that's the schlegel,
retirement people. They may be one of the organizations that
I'm looking at. To perhaps retire to and one of
the things I intend to do is to ask them
where they stand and what information they have available. Thank
you. Thank you, Mr. Owner. Your comments have been noted
by our staff and with regards to the comments about
the budget and the questions you sent earlier, I'm pretty
sure our staff will reach out to. You and address
those questions. Thank you for your time tonight. That's fine.
The questions that I have. I intend. To Slagel because.
I'm seriously considering, and I want to know what information
they had available to them. I feel that there's a
great danger in that fire nation only having. Half staff.
And. As I said I spent 4 hours driving up
and down the streets. Thank you. Thanks for letting us
know. Thank you, thank you. And we had just one
delegation tonight. And we have no other delegation. So we
will move on to the presentations part of tonight's agenda.
And I would like to invite our cfo Glenn Cohen
to the podium in order to provide a brief presentation
regarding the 2024 budget. Welcome, Glenn. Thank you, Chair. Good
evening, everyone. So I will be brief tonight. Just provide
a summary, more introduction to getting into the deliberation. And
I'll just touch on a few of the points that
we did touch on in the workshop as well last
week, just starting from a process perspective, touching on both.
Where we have been and where we currently are. The
process really goes back to the early summer from a
public engagement perspective, even before that, this year, because we
did the Citizen Engagement Survey earlier in actually late 2022.
This is the first budget that we're utilizing those results
updated results from noting that they've been fairly consistent between
the different. Studies we've undertaken. More recently, we've had the
budget workshop and, of course, the release of the proposed
budget on November 15. This is the first budget process
that's utilizing the new legislation. So the step we're currently
in is the 30 day period where Council can make
amendments to the proposed budget, followed by an opportunity for
a veto process. And potential override process subject to decisions
made by Council and the Mayor. In terms of how
we've come from the September report to the final budget
that's presented in November. This is just a quick summary
of some of the larger steps taken to go from
what was identified as a pressure to ultimately what is
the recommended budget that is tabled in front of Council.
Some of the line items are sustainable in terms. Of
the steps have been taken in terms of finding reductions
in spending. New revenue sources potentially deferring a couple of
items before being introduced to the community. Other elements are
things like the stabilization reserve and the changes made to
the infrastructure funding, which there is a plan within the
multi year plan to either phase. Those out or reintroduce
them in the case of the infrastructure annual funding amount.
With those changes, the budget that is tabled is a
$98 million levy. Ultimately, as you can see summarized here
by Department of Note is from the gross cost. There
is approximately half of the revenue being nonproperty tax base,
with user fees being one of the larger sources within
the various program areas. Also, of Note is the fact
that in addition. To the town's budget is approval of
the Dbie budget here tonight. And just as a reminder
that that was approved by the board. So it's relaying
the information that's already been board approved for the dbia.
Within the Budget there are a number of. Ways in
which the budget is supporting and investing in the Council's
strategic plan. I won't read the list in front of
you, which is really itself just. A short and abbreviated
list of what you'll find in the budget document. But
certainly it touches on areas that were identified as priority,
including transit investment in technology, in facilities and in people.
And we continue some of the processes for planning those
next phases of growth with the work that's anticipated in
2024 as well. Getting to what it means from a
final tax rate perspective. So this first slide is the
one that will reflect what's in the budget document in
front of you. So based on what was known at
the time of the budget call report in September, and
based on. The still existing guidance that was given at
the regional level, the proposed budget would result in, from
a local perspective, a nine and a half percent change
in. Our budget. But when we look at all three
levels of government and the blended rate, what was anticipated
to be 5.37% total, which is really what the bottom
line from a property taxpayer would look like on the
residential side. And you can see here as well. It
would translate to around $39 per 100,000 of assessment. So
the change I mentioned in the introductory comments is that
as the region and the police continue to work through
their own process, we do know that there is a
potential for a higher number at their level. From a
timing perspective, their budget will be passed after ours. I
believe they have a committee meeting this week and a
Council meeting next week. So as you can see here
with the revised budget as it's currently being presented at
that level. It would be 5.6% change combined at the
regional level. So with what is proposed in our budget,
what the bottom line on the property tax bill would
be would be in the order of 5.78%. So as
we provide updates tonight, it'll be on the basis of
this 5.6% at the regional level that we'll speak to
once all process. Processes are done and the region has
finalized theirs. We will also be updating the figures and
the final approved budget document that will be available to
the public will reflect the final amounts from each level.
So beyond the current year budget pressure included within our
forecast is the next two years as well as you
can see here. The pressure continues what we were discussing
back in September. Is an order of magnitude. What the
starting points for the next two years could look like
based on what we currently know, it's a continuation of
inflation, albeit not necessarily at as high of a level
as what we see today. But continuing to work in
the inflationary pressures that are on the non residential construction
and capital side will take us a few budget cycles
to fully reflect those. It also. Includes the resumption of
funding for the infrastructure deficit, as well as phase out
of the stabilization Reserve in these years, plus some of
the new growth initiatives that are either anticipated within our
budget or based on when we believe we'll assume various
infrastructure and assets through subdivision agreements. In terms of. A
comparison from a property tax perspective. I'll just share this
one graph tonight, noting there's some others available within the
budget document. This is. The total amount for the average
house. From the most recent bma study. And you can
see milton's position here. And just as a reminder, when
we talk about the per $100,000 numbers to get to
the average, it's a factor of six. So based on
the existing returned rule that we use $600,000 is an
approximate average from a residential perspective. So you can see
here. It's about a $600 per house differential to the
next municipality in our comparator group. And that $600, even
though. What the totals here are reflective of the town,
the region, and the school boards did. The difference in
the 600 is entirely at the local level. Aside from
the operating budget, also included in tonight's agenda is the
Capital Program. So this is just presenting at a summary
level what's included within the 2024 budget. The one note
that maybe makes this slightly different from a normal year
would really be with respect to funding, you would see
that this year, especially there's slightly a little more. Waiting
than what we would be normally used to seeing with
respect to the non growth investment. It's around two thirds
of the overall program. When in a normal year we
would see growth being around two thirds. So that's reflected
in the combination of the different reserves that are proposed
to fund the program. From an investment perspective, you can
see no surprise. Roads and facilities. Are generally our largest
areas of investment and there'll be no different in 2024.
So with that, I'm happy to take any questions now
or through the discussion. And I appreciate the time. Thank
you so much, Glenn, for your presentation. I have councilor
best as the first speaker. Yes. A couple of questions.
Ben. Thanks for your presentation. The work that your staff
have done regarding the Bill 23, the reductions in development
charges. How much of an impact is that having on.
Your budget. So I'll speak to this from two perspectives.
The immediate pressure from a budget perspective with respect to
development charge exemptions. We are including a small increase, $200,000
within the property tax increase next year. For that. Really
we do need to accelerate the additional amounts we add
in future years. For that, it is expected that we're
going to spend around $5 million a year over. The
next number of years on exemptions. Those really relate largely.
And the reason we've seen the increase is because of
secondary units and the fact that those do need to
be funded from a non growth source. So we've been
slowly ramping up the amount in property taxes to fund
those kind of exemptions. From the time we started till
now, we're probably slightly short of $2 million of what
we've been accumulating. But to close the rest of the
gap to that 5 million spend before we draw on
the reserves too significantly, we are going to need to
increase the annual investment, probably in the order of around
half million dollars a year. The more recent legislative changes
in development charges affect. A number of different other areas.
We haven't been affected as significantly yet by those the
two most significant that have the most significant potential for
us would be the next time we open our development
charge bylaw in 2026. If we have to introduce the
phasing, there's a potential for the need to fund that
which would be significant because we'd be talking out of
the in the first year. Alone, 20% of all development
charge revenue and then it would be phasing down over
five years from there. Other areas where they haven't enacted
the regulations yet would be the cost of land. As
an example. So there are going to be more impacts
down the road. There isn't anything included in the property
tax increase we're proposing for next year related to those
yet, but we will continue to monitor and certainly by
the time we're in our next development charge file update,
we may be talking about what's needed to address some
of those future pressures. Thank you information. And if you
had your information back from any provincial staff regarding the
Province's commitment to making Municipalities whole, and how would you
treat. If the money was received in the province in
whatever form. So nothing specific as to what that could
look like. There has been announcement of funding such as.
I want to get the name right here, the Building
Community Fund, the one where if we exceed your growth
target, there would be funding available for municipalities. That's the
closest I've seen for something directly related to that. But
we're still at such an early stage of knowing what
the dollars could actually look like and whether it would
actually resolve some of those other pressures. And if you
were to receive this money, either from the Province or
from Builders, how would you treat that additional revenue. We
would have to look at the specific guidelines that are
provided with it to see how prescriptive they may be.
Certainly where we've had these pressures. I mentioned having to
get up to that 5 million a year. That would
be a great starting point. But we would have to
look to Council as to where the investment is best
made. Thank you. Thank you. Councilor best. Are there any
other questions to our cfo? I'm not seeing any so
thank you so much for your presentation. Okay. Well, we
will now get down to business, which is the business
of the budget. And we are going to now put
all of the recommendations from Report crs 57, two, three
on the floor. In order to allow deliberation. Once on
the floor, we will deliberate each recommendation clause individually. But
withhold the final vote to the very end such that
they can be voted on in their entirety. We will
approach it this way just in case any amendments arise
from the operating budget that affect the capital budget or
vice versa. We will also address the conflict of interest
momentarily. And to that effect, I have a nation that
has been moved by councilor Malbols and seconded by councilor
kalki to put the ten recommendations from Report Co. R.
S. On the floor for deliberation. So that is where
we will start. And due to the declared conflict of
councilor best, we will need to have a housekeeping amendment
to the wording of recommendation Number Four in order for
clarity for Counsel and the public recommendation for will now
read as follows. Four, a. That the 2024 operating budget
for Town and library. Resulting in a net tax levy
of $98,502,101, assuming 2.29. Net assessment growth as
outlined on appendix Four of this report, save and accept
the portion of the Seniors Program salaries and benefits. Be
received for review and any amendments made by Council for
B. That the 2024 operating budget for Seniors, Program salaries
and benefits in the amount of $39,512. We receive a
review on any amendments made by Council. Are there any
concerns or questions on this matter from many members of
Council councilor Chaliner? Thanks, madam Chair, I just had a
question about procedure. So I know there's a number of
amendments that have been put forward by various members of
Council for discussion. At what point are we discussing those.
I will defer to the clerk to answer that question.
Those will be forthcoming. Really, this is a housekeeping amendment
that we need to make in order to reflect the
declared conflict. So as councilor Ali noted earlier on in
the meeting, we'll have to vote separately on four B
just due to the conflict. So we'll proceed through and
address those. Clauses just as soon as we get going
with the rest of the recommendation here. So for this
purpose, this is just for housekeeping at this moment. Okay,
because I think it's fairly obvious to everybody that four
A is a bit of a problem. If you're bringing
forward amendments, you're putting the cart before the horse to
even vote on it. Four B. I get it. There's
a conflict of interest. At this point, it's not approving
any motions, just ensuring that Council is okay with splitting
out four into two clauses, four A, and four B,
which will be considered later on in the meeting. Okay.
Thank you. I'm really happy you asked that question because
it is a little bit confusing. And as we go
along clause by clause, we will achieve more clarity on
this. So seeing as there are no other questions to
this, we will proceed with the required amendments. And now
proceed through the individual recommendations. And address any motions to
amend that Council may want to consider. So I'm going
to clause one now so you can follow along. Clause
One States that the 2024 capital Budget with a gross
amount of $83,660,103 as outlined in appendix Two and the
Capital Forecast with a gross amount of 1,369,298,807. Dollars as
outlined in appendix Three of this Report be received for
review and any amendments made by Council. And as we
discussed before, this is Clause One, I have an amendment
to this clause, which is a motion. And it is
moved by councilor culkin and seconded by councilor best that
a new capital project be added to the 2024 budget
for a stop sign beacon pilot project with a funding
of $72,512 provided from the Studies and other nongrowth capital
res. Reserve and that the pilot provide for the installation.
At one always stop intersection per Ward in 2024. I
have read the motion. I will now go to the
mover and the secondary for any comments. Mover. Councilor kalki,
thank you, madam Chair. So, this motion is in relation
to some common road safety concerns and inquiries I received
from residents, particularly for motorists that fail to stop at
stop signs, which in turn usually results in collisions, near
misses and. Ultimately puts other road users at risk as
well. I'll be the first person to say that the
best way to change driver behavior for this particular offense
is through police enforcement. However, the police can't be everywhere
at once, and I felt that there was still an
opportunity to do more on the town end, and as
a result of that, began speaking with staff to look
into additional alternatives to increase the chances of. Motor Vehicle
Compliance would stop. Signs I was able to obtain collision
data for Always stop signs in all four of our
awards in the community dating back to collisions that have
occurred within a five year period. The most collision prone
intersections are as follows in Word One, the intersection of
Commercial Street and Pine Street saw six collisions in Ward
Two. The intersection of Five Side Road and Boston Church
Road saw 17 collisions. And Ward Three, the intersection of
cleric boulevard and Bennett boulevard saw seven collisions. And in
word four, the intersection of farmstead Drive in mclaughlin Avenue
saw seven collisions. So within a five year period, these
are the intersections in each part of each of our
awards that have the most collisions. And having said that
the intent of this resolution is to have flashing red.
Beacons mounted on top of all Waste Stop signs at
our four most. Collision prone intersections in all of our
wards as a one year pilot program in an effort
to reduce collisions and increased stop sign compliance, as per
the Ontario Traffic Manual, flashing red beacons are unceded to
be used in areas that have poor stop sign compliance
and a collision history with the collision data that we
do have that I mentioned a moment ago. This resolution,
if passed, would be a data driven. Approach towards furthering
our efforts to improve road safety. And I'm hoping I
can get Council support for this. Thank you, madam chair.
Thank you, councilor kalki, councilor best. Yes, madam Chair. I
fully support councilor Kelkey's recommendation. As some of us might
remember, there was a number of these. Stop red beacons
in the rural area over the years and bring them
into the urban area would also assist because unfortunately there's
the three ease of traffic enforcement, engineering and education. Unfortunately,
the provinces from my opinion, has been lacked in terms
of education. We have to. Step it up in terms
of enforcement. And engineering. We've had a real traffic issue
throughout. The ones as you mentioned here by the councilor
highlight how dangerous it is. When you have every two
months. And actually almost every three weeks happening in these
intersections, we need to find better ways. To enforce our
traffic laws and let people know that there is stopplace.
We've had numerous fatalities in this community due to people
not obeying subsigns. Thank you, Councilor. Best. Certainly. Visibility is
important. I have a speaker's list to this motion. Councilor
tesser dixon is next. Thank you, madam Chair. Just a
question of clarity to the mover and second or through
you, madam Chair, is it part of the motion that
those specific intersections will be the ones that receive the
pilot? Or that'll be something we can discuss. Councilor kalki.
Yeah. Through you, madam Chair. No, that can still be
discussed. The motion is simply to get funding secured from
our Capital Program project to be able to fund the
fact that we can do four intersections, one in each
Ward. And these are numbers that I got from collision
data within the past five years. But it's still up
to each Council to have a say in which stop
sign or intersection they would like to see. These at.
Thank you, madam Chair. Through you. I appreciate that because
the volume of accidents is startling. However, we have other
intersections where the volume may not be as high, but
the severity of the accidents can be much more serious,
mostly in our rural areas. So I like the fact
that that would be left up to the individual counselors
and traffic staff. Councilor kolki yeah. Thanks, madam Chair. And
also further to that these are collisions that get reported
and are actually documented. There's also collisions that might not
get reported. So there's that element as well. Thank you,
Councilor cocky. Anything further? Councilor tesser. Okay, going on to
the next speaker. Councilor malbos. Thank you, madam. Chair. Yeah,
I'll be supporting us in Ward four. Intersection mentioned by
the counselor zim Ward 417 basically double of any of
the other locations. So I'll support this as a pilot
project. And I would be pushing that into section be
the one in our Ward. John and I board that
have that beacon stop sign so that we can monitor
see basically what impact it does have and does it
help solve the problem or mitigate the problem? So I'll
be supporting this. Thank. You, councilor Malbout. I have councilor
Jazz. Next. Thank you, madam Chair. Prioritizing. The safety of
our residents is of utmost importance and in this pursuit,
I support this motion. By investing in this targeted safety
measure, we commit to fostering a secure environment for our
community, addressing critical aspects of road safety and safeguarding the
well being of our residents. Due to this. Reason I
support this motion. Thank you very much. Thank you, councilor
Jazz. Next I have councilor chalender. Thanks, madam Chair. In
principle, I am supportive of what is being proposed, but
I need to hear from staff in terms. Of. The
human resource implications for this. It wasn't something that was
planned for this year. And I also want to know
if they're comfortable with proceeding with it generally. Because the
cost is one thing. But who's going to do the
work? So that's my question to engineering. Okay. I think
Commissioner Hogan will answer this question. Thank you for the
question. Councilor, challenge. We do have the people power to
implement this and we are definitely supportive of it. Great,
thank you. Thank you, councilors. Any other comments or questions.
I don't see any. So I will call the vote.
Now on this motion. All those in favor. Please raise
your hand. And it is carried.
At this point I would like to ask my colleagues
on Council if there are any further motions to be
considered in relation to Clause One of the 2024 Capital
Budget and forecast. I do not see any, so I'm
going to move on to clause two. Now. Clause two
States that in accordance with. Ss 51 of the Development
Charges Act of 1997. And S. Five of Ontario, Regulation
82, 98. It is Council's clear intention that any eligible
excess capacity provided by the 2024 Capital Program will be
paid for by future development charges. That is, clause Two.
Are there any motions to be considered in relation to
this clause. Seeing none. I will owe councilor Sorry, Mayor
Krant. No amendments to that madam Chair. And again, through
you to Glenn to drill exactly right down. Really? What
does this mean? Bottom line, I guess a little bit
of clarity just on clause, too. As I understand, I
want to be correct in my understanding of it. Thank
you, Mayor Kranst. Glenn will answer that. Both clause two
and three are really housekeeping items based on the legislation,
by having Council's clear intention. It'll make sure that we
have the opportunity to maximize our development charge utilization in
the future and make sure that we get the revenue
where we need it. Anything further, Mr. Mayor? Okay, well,
as I'm seeing no other motions to this clause, I'm
going to move to clause three. Clause three States that
any donations, grants, or subsidies applied in the 2024 Capital
Program to projects with development charges, funding are to offset
the nongrow. Nongrowthrelated cost of those projects, unless otherwise specified.
Are there any motions to be considered in relation to
this clause from any of my colleagues on Council. I
am seeing none. So I'm now going to move on
to clause four, which is as clerk advised before, has
been divided into two A and B because of the
conflict of English declared earlier in the meeting. So going
to clause for a clause for A as amended, States
that the 2024 operating budget for Town and. Library Consulting
Sorry, resulting in a net tax levy of $98,582,101, assuming
2.29%. Net assessment growth as outlined on appendix Four of
this report, save and accept a portion of the seniors.
Program salaries and benefits be received for review and any
amendments made by Council. And to that effect. On clause
for a I have a number of motions. And the
first motion before me is moved by councilor kulki and
seconded by councilor best. That a senior transportation planning technologist
won full time employee be added to the 2024 operating
budget with funding from the tax levy of $155,055. I
will now go to the mover of the motion to
speak to it. Thanks, madam Chair. I just want to
start off by talking about the recent strategic planning that
we did. And one of the first imperatives that we
established through that planning process was that we would be
investing in people. And this is what this motion really
speaks to. And the fact that the intent is to
secure funding to hire a senior transportation technologist. This role
would provide the town. With a lead person who will
work on the Transportation Master Plan study and facilitate the
implementation of it. The position is really important because it
would play a key role in creating further active transportation
initiatives, townwide and work towards making cycling and walking a
safe and desirable alternative to driving. In addition, this position
would review the high profile. Development applications that we receive,
including those high density, mixed use developments where balancing both
vehicle and pedestrian traffic is really critical and important. This
position would also be the lead for all halton Region
Road environmental assessments and will ensure that milton has a
strong voice at that table. One of the key parts,
like I said of our strategic plan was to invest
in people and in order for us to serve milton
residents appropriately, we must make investments like these right now
rather than deferring them. To ensure we have applicable resources
in town staffing to help. Deliver positive results for our
community. Thank you. Thank you, councilor Jazz councilor best as
the seconder yes, just echoing the comments as we've seen
with. A recent high density applications. We need to have
the staff there to plan and anticipate traffic projections because
we cannot rely on consultants alone and who knows who
might even reduce costs in the future, because as we
saw in the discussions on Thompson Road and Ontario Street
and the impact of additional traffic, we need. To know
the implications and also plan ahead in terms of our
capital budgets, to make sure that we have the appropriate
traffic and also transit coordination as well. Thank you, councilor.
Best I have speakers list now. Councilor ijazz is first.
Thank you, madam. Chair. The incorporation of a senior Transportation
planning technologist into the 2024 Operations budget would exceed the
9.5% tax increase outlined in the mayor's proposed 2024 budget,
which aligns with Council's request budget direction. To this reason,
I cannot support this motion. Thank you very much. Thank
you, councilor. Jazz, councilor challenge. The next speaker. Thanks, madam.
Chair, I can't support this motion, either. There's a couple
of things. That I think about. When I hear this.
The second thing is, Well, the first thing is we
are investing in terms of people. There's 20 new hires
coming on this year. If this budget is approved. The
fact is. That when you look at those things that
drive revenue in this Corporation. We aren't where we need
to be, whether it's housing starts or other revenue. Our
population isn't where it was projected to be. And so
the need isn't immediate. And I think staff recognized that
in not bringing it forward into the budget this year.
And I think that needs to be respected. The other
thing is. That we are way over in terms of.
A budget. That, quite frankly is satisfactory to the majority
of miltonians we're in a recession. Interest rates are high.
Mortgage defaults are increasing. People not paying their taxes is
increasing. I think 2024 is going to be like 2023.
And for that reason. I think that. We need to
really put the foot on the brake and not the
gas pedal in 2024. If we have to wait another
twelve months for this position to be filled. In my
mind that's just common sense. The need is not there
this year. Thanks. Thank you, councilor Chaliner first time Speaker
Mayor Grant. Yeah. Thank you, madam Chair Nagay. And I
cannot and will not support. The request there as well.
But just a little bit of clarity, as I recall.
The report that's going forward to Council suggest 20 new
staff people on the assumption that this was to pass
and on the assumption that the nexon was to pass.
We're talking about. 22 additional. Full time individuals correct me
if I'm wrong. Maybe our cfo can respond to that.
That's correct. Recently we were circulated with a document.
That suggests there's many people in the employee of the
town that makes over $100,000. I believe that's correct. So
I'm just assuming that those additional people will be $100,000.
So really, what we're talking about here. Is $2,200,000. In
new employees. For taxes forever. Is that what we're talking
about? Correct me if I'm wrong on that assumption. Rounding
that off at $100,000, an additional 2 million. If I
can, I'll answer that in two parts from the perspective
that what's in the tax rate in front of you
now, before these new positions for the 20 that we
identified in the book, it's around $850,000. The reason for
that is because. There are revenues from other sources. There
were contract savings, and there was some reprioritizations. There was
also some positions that won't start until October next year.
To your point, though, about what the gross cost is,
I do think the 2 million is a fair. I
don't have the exact tally for the 20 positions, but
that would be a more fair representation of the total.
Just noting, though, that. A significant amount is identified in
other forms. So I think, madam Chair, I've made my
point. And I'm well aware there may not be hired
until June or July or next October. But let me
assure you, 2025. This Council will still be here. It's
going to be felt dramatically then. And I know what's
being projected right now. As at least at twelve or
14% increase at this point for 2025 and probably just
as much if not more for 2026. I'm talking about
the term of this Council, and I know this is
not the time for statements, but I just want to
be very clear as to what we're doing, adding more
on to the future. I make my point. Thank you,
Mr. Mayor. First time Speakers List councilor tesser dirkson is
next. Thank you, madam. Chair. A question. About long term
staffing. So in traffic. And this might be a question
that our cao answers. About. How the movement of staff
that are currently in traffic would be affected by this
position? Would it be affected? How. Would this position integrate
with the staffing plans for the rest of the Council
term, for example. Looking at our Co for response. I
mean, I can answer it, or our Commissioner can answer
it, but there's no impact on any other. It's an
additional capacity with an expertise that we don't presently don't
have in that Department. Okay, thank you. We have Councilor
Melbores as the first time. Oh, Councilor. Has a floor
and has a follow up question. I do. Thanks, Glenn.
Could you tell us what the dollar impact would be.
For this. So it would be $155,000 investment, which would
be on a per $100,000 basis. Fifty one cents. At
a local level, it would be a zero point 17%
increase on the blended. It would be 0.7%. Sorry. I'm
trying to do quick math. So on the average mpac
assessed home of $600,000 annually, it would be around $3.
Okay. Thank you. Anything further? Councilor Tesserkson. Okay, good. So
I have Councilor Melbourne next. Thank you, madam chair. I'll
not be supporting this motion. For. The reason Echo the
comments made by councilor Chaloner. Staff didn't see the need
or the priority to include this in the budget, so
I don't see it as a major priority or an
issue. And my other concern is if we brought on
this extra fte for the senior traffic strategy. I suspect
that when we look at it, we're going to hire
an outside consultant anyway. Just like we do with everything
else. So I'll not be supporting that. Thank you. I
have councilor kalki next. Thanks, madam Chair. I'm just wondering
if we could get the Commissioner, Commissioner Hogan, to speak
about the importance and this role a bit further in
relation to what it would offer, what it would provide.
Missionar Hogan. Thank you, councilor calkey. It is a senior
level position. And as the cao said, we currently don't
have that level of expertise in our division. And it's
really a holistic position that would look at milton as
a whole from a transportation planning perspective. With an eye.
To. Implement and be the lead on our broader transportation
Master Plan and all of the active transportation initiatives and
making all of those connections throughout town. As councilor culky
also said, we do have a number of very complex.
Mixed use, higher density development applications, and those reviews do
require a level of expertise that we don't currently have.
We're making things work, but I think a position such
as this could make things better. The goal is not
to retain consultants, to do this type of work and
to do it in house. And I do foresee potential
savings in that regard. Moving forward. Thank you. Thank you,
Commissioner. I have Councilor. Clark, he still has the floor.
Yes. Thank you, madam Chair. And also when we get
to the point for voting, if this could be a
recorded vote just so that's noted down. And Secondly, again,
for the cost it was mentioned, it's going to be
at the $600,003.06 in turn. Like Commissioner said, it's going
to be investing back into the community for things like
active transportation, cycling, creating those walkable communities that. We all
want to do with these high densities coming in these
new developments. It's a really important position. I feel that
we need to incorporate. Thank you, Councilor cocky. I have
Councilor challoner as the next speaker. Yeah, just very quickly.
We do have a requirement. To have the applicant get
involved in this process by hiring their own consultant. Maybe
that's going to change. I don't know. I haven't talked
to the Commissioner about it. She may not be in
a position to answer that question tonight. But at any
rate. When I see the decline right now. In high
density construction in our community. Where cranes are being pulled
down. I don't think. It's important this year. I'm not
saying that it's never important. What I'm saying is, let's
talk about it in 2025, because we have enough on
our plate in this budget. And at any rate I
will be curious down the road to see how this
position integrates. With the development community is required to do
by our Corporation today. Thanks. Thank you, councilor Chalner. I
have councilor tesser Jrkson. Next. Thank you, madam. Chair. Two
questions. Firstly, do comparator municipalities. At the same level of
progression as we are with respect to our development and
growth. Have this type of position or a comparable position.
Second. Question, and you may not be able to answer
this, but do staff foresee a savings as a result
of this position in the future. Is there a benefit
to spending the money now. The first part of your
question. Sorry if comparator municipalities. I just wrote down Yes.
Comparable municipalities would have a position of this nature in
terms of future cost savings. I do think we would
have the ability to leverage this position to reduce consulting
fees. Councilor challenger is correct. The development industry does do
their own traffic impact studies. This position would lead more
of the town initiated work, including the Transportation Master Plan
and active transportation Strategy. Moving forward. Councilor Tesla I was
debating whether to ask this question or not. Why did
staff not put this position in their proposal. Commissioner Hogan.
Thank you for the question. It was a position that
I did put forward originally in the budget and due
to other competing interests, it was not put forward. Anything
further? Councilor. Tessa. Drikson. Okay. Does the cio want to
add a comment. Okay. I'm seeing no other speakers to
this motion. So a recorded vote has been asked for,
and so I will leave it to the clerk to
deal with that. Thank you for this recorded vote. I
will ask all members. In favor of the motion to
please stand. And I will recognize you standing as in
favor. Thank you. I'm seeing Councilor culky in favor. Councilor
best in favor. Councilor Marshall in favor Councilor tesser dirkson
in favor and Councilor elite in favor. Thank you. Be
seated. I'll now ask members opposed to Please stand. I'm
seeing Mayor krantz opposed Councilor chalin are opposed. Councilor Melbourne
opposed Councilor Jazz opposed that motion is carried. Thank you,
madam chit, clerk. We will now move on to the
Second Amendment to the Clause. It's a motion moved by
councilor kalki, seconded by councilor Malbouth that a platoon chief,
one full time employee be added to the 2024 operating
budget with funding from the tax levy of. $186,723. I
will go to councilor kalki as the mover of the
motion to speak. Thank you, madam. Chair. Obviously, in the
start, we heard a delegation advocating for fire services as
well. So anyways, to move forward with this one, I
think it's important as well as one of the key
items identified in our current fire master plan was the
fact that we need to hire up to a total
of four platoon fire Chiefs in response to our forecasted,
municipal and Department growth. We currently have two platoon fire
Chiefs, and the objective towards getting towards a total of
four would secure sufficient. Incident Command on a 24/7 basis,
I want to highlight the importance of ensuring that we
remain on track with this particular item given that all
of us have rapid growth coming into our communities with
particular means of growth being by way of high density
development. It worries me when items like these are deferred,
and I believe that it's important to ensure that we
remain committed to our forecasted plans, especially as it pertains.
To our emergency services. Having said that the importance of
having sufficient incident command when responding to and dealing with
an emergency situation is vital towards contributing towards the overall
safety and well being of our community. Having strong incident
command allows for an emergency response to become more efficient,
improves communication span of control, and allows for. A more
organized and structured response to an emergency. I'm proud of
the investments we've made thus far into fire. However, I
feel like we need to move further right now, like
I said, to ensure we have better staffing for our
fire Department to reach the targets outlined in our fire
master plan. Thank you. Thank you. Councilor palky. Councilor Malbol
says the secondary. Right. Thank you, madam. Chair. I'm having
a second and support this nation number one priority. Of
this Council is not only the safety protection of our
residents, but of our employees as well. This position was
included in our Fire Master plan. That we had approved
and should have been included in this budget. Removing this
position to save $186,000 while we're spending nearly $1 million
on an arts center to me, doesn't make sense, but
maybe I have my priorities wrong. So I would ask
this Council to support this motion and support our fire
Department. Thank you, Councilor Malbout. I have a Speaker Councilor
challenge. Next. Thanks madam Chair, I won't be supporting the
motion. The Fire Master plan. Is Unfortunately. I don't want
to say that it's completely irrelevant, but it's becoming irrelevant.
As I explained earlier when I was asked about supporting
this motion. The six individuals who are now a part
of the 911 program were not a part of that
Master plan. Things have changed, and the master plan needs
to be changed to reflect that. Unfortunately. And again I
go back. To. We don't have the population. We don't
have the level of development of activity. We have a
fire station that isn't being fully utilized today. And we
can't wait twelve months to reconsider this. When staff have
recommended that it be put off for twelve months, that's
all they're asking us to do. And that's all we're
asking of ourselves. And when you look at the metrics,
the metrics don't support. Today, the demand for this position
immediately. The metrics today support the need for six people
to get us into the 21st century with a 911
system that wasn't contemplated in the last fire Master plan.
So in addition to that, I go back to and
I'm sorry if it comes across as a harangue, but
our current economic situation. Demands that we be fiscally responsible
more so than ever before. And it's not going to
make a difference in twelve months. We're not at risk
if we were at any kind of risk. We'd be
hearing from the insurance companies of Canada, and we'd be
hearing from our residents because the cost of ensuring their
homes and their businesses would be going up. They aren't
as a result of our fire service support in this
community, we have excellent fire service support. We can wait
until the 2025 budget to look at. This. And as
I indicated, and as we all know, things have changed.
Thank you. Thank you, councilor Chaliner. I have councilor adil
kalki. Next. Thanks, madam Chair frankenstein to maybe ask the
questions to the fire Chief if he could further speak
to the importance of what this rule would entail if
it was added back into the budget. And given the
fact that it's not in the budget as it stands
right now. If we weren't funding the communication staff, would
we still be having this investment being put into the
budget if that wasn't there. Thank you, Chief ghetto, I
see you at the podium. Please proceed. Thank you, madam.
Chair to the role of Platoon Chief. Platoon Chief reports
directly to the Deputy Fire Chief. Functions as a Supervisor
who coordinates supervisors and participates in firefighting related activities and
coordinates between the other divisions. Public Education, prevention. Training and
other activities. Platoon chief's primary role is emergency response. I
think that was already discussed. And they improved the scene
through communication span of control and they delineate honesty and
personnel's roles and responsibilities. Platoon chief, specialize. They're specialized experts
in leadership and instant command. They manage complex instance. A
complex incident would be a high rise fire, a large
industrial fire. A firefighter May day or rescue, and they
ultimately contribute to the overall safety and well being of
our community. They also have administrative tasks that offset the
workload of the Deputy Chiefs. They improve also our effective
response force because it allows the captives to work at
a tactical level, while an instant commander works at a
strategic level and also creates an extra layer. Of management
during large. Scale Disasters and Supports our Emergency Operations Center.
Thank you, Chief. Anything further, Councilor kulfi? Yes. Thank you,
Chief, for that. So obviously that right there speaks to
the gravity of what this rule would entail and how
important it is and making sure we get to where
we need to be will help us get to that
point where we have 24/7 incident command and adequate emergency
response. Again, emergency. Services, they get paid for what they're
expected to do many of the times compared to what
they're actually doing. And when an emergency happens, which is
obviously hard to predict. It's really, really important that we
have those resources. This would bring us a step closer
towards fulfilling our requirements under the Master Plan, which was
created obviously for a particular reason to satisfy the growth
that we're seeing in the community. Thank you, Council. Cookie.
Thank you, chief. Next on my Speaker's list is councilor
Best. Yes. Thank you, madam Chair. And I support the
motion here and especially accounts for Malhos comments as well.
Staff have presented the budget and the best their ability.
We have to look at it. And not only how
much, but also where we're spending our money. I initially
would have supported six firefighters, as the chief mentioned, unfortunately,
wasn't able to get that in in time, but I
certainly support the one platoon chief, but I could sympathize
with councilor Chowner's concerns. It may be reduced and residential,
but all you have to do is call along James
Snow parkway in Fifth Line and see the millions of
square feet of construction going on right now from large
corporations with buildings. That when a firefighter gets there, we
don't know what's in there unless they have the planning
and the staffing ahead of time to plan out how
to fight a fire. Because when you have a million
square foot building as we've seen. By some on browning
Street North recently, you don't know what's in there. And
unless you have the staff that have the experience in
training, you might be sending someone in there to be
injured or killed if you don't know how to do
it right. So I certainly support this. And I support
anticipating ahead of time, not reacting after the fact. Thank
you, Councilor. Best Councilor Jazz is next. Thank you, madam
Chair, this is a question for staff, the six firefighters,
the individuals that are being added to Ng, 911. When
do they start. Do they get employed in the upcoming
year, or. When the program goes to. So of the
six, there are two that are expected to be part
of the project implementation, so they would start earlier in
the year in February, and they're funded from capital. The
tax dollars for all six positions begins at the start
of October next year, and then annualizes fully in 2025.
Anything further? Councilor. Jess. Thank you, madam chair. Councilor cokey's.
Next. Thanks, madam Chair. Two things. One again recorded vote
for this one as well, please. And two, it wasn't
brought up by any of the other Council, but I
want to talk about the cost associated to this in
gwen. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here.
But what I have here is this would impact the
overall rate by zero point 21%. Change the blended to
0.8%. Which would equate to a 60 residential assessment value
increase. So if my math is correct here at that
600,000 number, it'll be three point sixty six cents to
fund this particular position. Is that correct on your end
as well? Correct. Okay. I'm glad we have that clarity.
Now. I'm looking around and seeing if any of my
other colleagues have any questions. I'm seeing none. So a
recorded work has been called and I will leave it
to the clerk to take it from here. Thank you.
I'd like to ask all members who are in favor
of the motion to please stand. I see Councilor
cokey in favor of a motion. Councilor Best in favor
of the motion. Councilor Marshall in favor of the motion.
Councilor Malbuff in favor of the motion. Councilor tesser dirkson
in favor of the motion. Councilor Jazz in favor of
the motion. Can I now, please ask. Members to be
seated. Councilor elite. Excuse me in favor of the motion.
Can I now ask for members who are opposed. Please
stand. And I'm seeing councilor chalin are opposed, and Mayor
cramps opposed. That motion is carried. Thank you, Colleagues. That
motion is carried. As the clerks just mentioned, we will
move on to the next. Motion, which is basically an
amendment to clause four, a. It is moved by councilor
tesser, dirkson, and seconded by councilor. Oh, I see the.
Apologize. Yeah. Just before you move on, madam Chair there
with regards to what just happened in those two or
three previous motions, I'd like to know the total and
what impact that has, because the next two are reasonably
complicated. I think I've got it figured out. But I
think. It's important on bottom line. Where we're presently at.
Because I think we're getting very close to double digits.
9.5 is close enough for me to call it double
digits, but I think we're inching closer to it. So
good. Gosh only knows on the next two motions. But
may or may not happen. So little clarity on what
the possibility is on the assumption that the next two
motions were to pass, and if they didn't pass, what
impacted is this already got on what we just passed.
Thank you, Mayor Cranza. I know that I saw our
financial team crunching numbers all along, so I'm pretty sure
they have a number ready for us. We do at
the local level. We are sitting at 9.88%. On the
blended level. We're at 5.93%. We've added dollar and assessment.
So $6.0.66 on an average house. Madam Chair. Thank You,
Mr. Mayor. Any other questions or comments from my colleagues.
Seeing none. I will move on. To the next motion,
which is moved by councilor tesser dirkson and seconded by
councilor Marshall that the transfer from the Tax stabilization Reserve
to the 2024 operating Budget be reduced by $750,000. With
an equivalent increase in the net tax levy in order
to fund the related ongoing expenses. I've read the motion.
I will go to the mover of the motion. Councilor.
Tesser. Dirkson. Now, thank you, madam Chair. Will. This motion
certainly isn't as shiny as the other two. It's a
little bit dry, but frankly, it's a motion about sound
financial management. And in reviewing the budget, I had noticed
that 1.7 million was being transferred from the tax rate
stabilization. Reserve Fund in order to mitigate the impact to
taxpayers. That bothered me a little bit going into the
projections for next year and the year after that and
the year after that. In speaking to Staff originally, this
motion, I was debating 1.5 million. And when we looked
at the numbers. We just had to take into consideration
what kind of impact that was going to have on
the average person. So the figure we arrived at was
$750,000. And to continue to pull from the tax rate
stabilization Reserve bothers me for a number of reasons. Number
one, it doesn't align with our financial management policies, which
we have committed, to which we have. And we have
significant pressures going into next year. We've already heard 2023
and 2024 going to be similar. 2025, 2026. Probably worse.
And I have heard some talk that 2027 2028 is
going to level out. I don't have a Crystal ball.
All it takes is another pandemic. Another war that affects
supply chain inflation. I don't want to kick this can
down the road. I want us to stare it in
the face and make the difficult decision to be shouldn't
be a difficult decision to make a sound financial decisions
for our residents and for ourselves. So that's the basis
of this motion. As far as a dollar amount, I'm
really focused on the dollar impact, the wallet impact to
the average person. And we figured that it was $14.68,
I believe. For the average home per year. That averages
out to I think a dollar 22 a month. In
order for us to say to our residents that we
thought hard and long about how we're managing their money,
how we're managing our reserves. And I think it's something
that I can certainly justify to residence. And I'm sure
others can, too. Thank you. Thank you, Councilor. Just the
secondary of the motion. Councilor Marshall. So christina, councilor Tesla
had the chance. To take all the excellent talking points.
But I just want to remind everybody that when we
looked at this exact thing last year, that we said
we were going to defer payment until this year, and
now we're here. So I want everybody to just remember
what type of planning was intended at this time last
year, before deciding. What to do this year? And is
it actually worth deferring this till next year or the
year after when we've already seen what those potential impacts
are going to be. Thank you, councilor Marshall. I'm looking
around to see if any of my other colleagues have
any comments to add. Councilor Chaliner has a comment. Thanks
madam Chair, I won't be supporting the motion. And. I
really wish individual members of Council would get away from
what this is costing per unit or per program or
per individual because. Taxpayers look at the cumulative effect. The
bottom line. And at this point. We're going to be
well over 6% well over 10% if we do this.
Is not good financial management. To not use this without
something to replace it with it's. Poor financial management. And.
I indicated and I don't know how many people read
the Q and a's. But you'll recall if you attended
the last meeting. I talked to the Treasurer about establishing
two income funds. Essentially. To. Replace. The Tax stabilization rate.
Reserve. As a revenue source for the operating budget. And
to replace the non growth reserve with an income fund
so that it is funded that way and not through
the operating budget. That's good financial management. We have a
revenue problem and. We have done nothing in this budget
to address that. And it's the second time that we've
had this in the last three years. I'd forgotten about
2021, but we had a problem then, too. It was
fairly obvious what it was. In my view. If Council
Marshall and councilor tesser dirkson said this is the last
year. I would support that. But at this point, that's
not what they're asking. We simply can't afford to do
that. And please. Don't. Say things like it's only $14
a month or whatever it is, it's meaningless. What is
the cumulative effect of this budget on taxpayers? Everything else
is pointless. Mindless, quite frankly, and insulting. If they said
this is the last year they've got my support. Because
in January, we're going to have as a counsel a
workshop where we're going to discuss these income funds and
how they could replace the Tax stabilization Reserve. I agree
with councilor tesser dirkson. This is not how it should
be used. The Treasurer knows that I've made that clear.
It's here to deal with end of year balance issues.
Yes, you can use it for the purpose. We've been
using it for the last ten years, but it's not
good fiscal management. And so I can't support. This. I
have thought long and hard about an alternative. I've been
discussing it with the cao and the Treasurer since the
summertime. This is a serious issue. And what is being
proposed is not good financial management. What we will discuss
in January is a move in the right direction towards
good financial management. And I hope it's something that happens
so I can't support this. I apologize. Thank you, councilor
chaloner. I have councilor just as the next speaker. Thank
you, madam Chair. I respectfully disagree with the proposal to
reduce the transfer from the Tax stabilization Reserve to the
2024 operating budget by $750,000. With an equivalent increase in
the net tax levy. This adjustment will result in a
higher tax increase for milton residents, placing an added burden
on taxpayers. On a separate note, we started with the
mayor's budget, which aligns seamlessly with the Council's requested budget
direction of 9.5%. Now with the previous additions, the tax
increase is standing at nine point. 88% that can support
that, but anything above this. 9.88%. I cannot support. Thank
you, madam Chair. Thank you for your comments. Councilor Jazz,
I have Councilor kalki next. Thanks, madam Chair. Just wondering
if cfo can comment on. This particular item and how
it is in terms of financial management, the particular move
that's being made here. So the biggest effect of this
if it were approved, would be the relief in future
years budgets where we are forecasting pressures that are higher
than what is currently being contemplated for approval for 2024.
I do think that as recommended, it is a reasonable
and appropriate use of stabilization fund if there is a
concrete plan to unwind it while they're still funding in
that reserve balance. But ultimately from a revenue perspective, looking
at service levels and sustainable revenue sources, it really is
only meant to bridge. From what the tax rate currently
is, to what it needs to be to support the
service levels that there are as to how quickly we
go there. It really is a decision of counsel weighing
the factors such as what is a reasonable change at
the property tax base, what service levels are expected, and
how long we can sustain drawings in that stabilization reserve,
right. Now you'll see in the forecast. It is shown
to go from right now around the target balance around
$8 million to around 4.6 million after we've used this
for a few years of phasing it out. One of
the benefits of this motion would be is additional funding
in that stabilization reserve balance closer to the target. When
we come out of the next few years of pressures.
So ultimately. There is a number of different answers here,
and ultimately, Council can decide which is the most appropriate.
Thank you to our cfo for that answer. Councilor. Ijaz
is next. Thank you, madam Chair. This is a question
for Glenn. If this motion were to pass, what would
that 9.88% increase to. So the 9.88 would become ten
point 72. From a local tax rate change perspective, the
blended total would become 6.27%, which is $46 per 100,000
of assessment. And started scrolling down $276 from an average
house perspective. Thank you, madam. Chair. Thank you, councilor Jeff.
Any other speakers to the motion. Councilor best. Yeah. Just
as councilor Chowner raised some interesting points here regarding our
reserves. What is the return that we're getting on our
reserves and reserve funds? I take it they are all
invested. I just want to see how that compares with
a potential income fund. Looking at the cfo for a
response. So within the budget, we've assumed from the overall
portfolio perspective, a total return averaging 3.95% next year. That
would be the highest amount we realized in recent years,
in part because we're going to be starting the year
with the relatively high rates that we have today, especially
on the shorter term investments. Keeping in mind that. The
portfolio is a mix of the more liquid funding that
we have. In those savings accounts versus the longer term
investments that were already locked into. In terms of that
income, funds. I do think and our suggestion was to
explore that further in the workshop setting so we could
make sure. We're addressing Council's intentions with it. The thing
will have to be balancing in that is that the
seed funding for that fund is likely to come from
those existing reserves which are already being invested and ideally
to maximize the return that we can get given when
the timing of the draw on those reserves. Maybe. Thank
you for the answer. Just the last question in terms
of provincial regulations. What are the limitations we have on
investments. So the primary investment tool for municipalities are areas
in fixed income. In terms of especially in the bond
market. There has been introductions to allow for equity in
one of two ways, either through the One fund, which
is a professionally managed investment tool for municipalities. That's the
one that our current. Town bylaw currently allows for and
then separately, there's the prudent Investment standard, which we're not
entertaining at this stage, given the size of our portfolio
and the cost and the process involved. We also do
invest in other investment tools, such as the Savings Account
Reference gics. But it's very much just fixed income oriented
strategy. And then within our own town guidelines are the
limitations in terms of how much exposure to federal provincial
notes, how much. To the corporate and banking sector and
the overall balance that we're allowed to work with him.
Thank you very much. Thank you. Councilor. Best I have
councilor tessard next. Thank you very much, madam Chair. Just
to note, councilor Chalner is correct in that there's nothing
wrong with looking for additional revenue sources. And I'm fully
fully supportive of that. If we find a way to
fund an income reserve or an income fund. I would
be supportive if it was reasonable and made sense. However,
like I said, I don't want to kick this down
the can because an income reserve is not guaranteed. We
don't know where we're going to get the seed money
from. If the Income Reserve Fund works out great, we'll
have an easier year next year in addition to this
motion. And if it doesn't go ahead, we'll still have
an easier time next year because of this motion. Thank
you, councilor tesser Jackson. I have councilor Chaliner. Next. Thanks.
So again it's in the notes. The cfo talked about
a one fund and the return on that is significant
compared to the investments. We currently have. Double of many
of them. The seed money, yes, would come from our
current reserves. But for example, if it came from. A
GIC that was maturing at 1.5%. You're far better off
taking that ten or $15 million and putting it into
the One fund because you're going to see a pretty
rapid return. Within twelve months. And there are other funds
as well. I'm sure the cfo is looking at contemplating
my questions. The main issue. I have. Is.
Yes, we are kicking the can down the road. We've
been kicking it down the road for the last decade
again. There's a table in there that shows what we've
been doing. I'm not confident that. Without an income fund
or a revenue source that we won't kick the can
down next year because. What I see too much of
is a lack of fiscal discipline. And it's a shared
responsibility. It starts with senior Staff and it concludes around
this table. And quite frankly. The most important place that
has to occur is here. And I don't see that
happening. I don't have that confidence. And. I think that
simple logic and common sense is you ended as soon
as. You have a plan to end it with and
I'm hoping. That in January, we put the pins in
place as a Council to provide financial stability for future
generations by considering. Would I been proposing to Senior staff.
Because I'm as frustrated by this as anybody else around
this table is maybe even more. I go back. I
reflect on the time my 1st 15 years here. We
never did this kind of stuff. We didn't blend our
tax rate with the region. We stood up and we
managed budgets as they were. We didn't look. For any
kind of subsidy within or without. And we need to
get back. To as much of that as we possibly
can. Because we don't know what's ahead of us. Councilor
tesser Durkson is exactly right. We don't know what's going
to happen in the next couple of years. I don't
have confidence, quite frankly. That any of our future projections
are accurate. And I don't know how they can be
unless you've got some sort of special Crystal ball. And
so I'm not criticizing the cfo. He's doing the best
job he possibly can under. Very difficult circumstances. But what
that demands is. A plan that brings in revenue on
a consistent basis where you aren't robbing Peter to pay
Paul, which is exactly what we're doing with the stabilization
reserve. So my message suck it up for one more
year. Let's figure it out in January, and let's get
going. But I'm not in favor of this motion. Thank
you, councilor Chalner. I'm looking around to see if any
of my other colleagues have any comments. Questions to add.
I'm seeing none. So no recorded vote has been called
for, so I'm going to call the vote. Now, all
those in favor of this motion, please raise your hand.
All those opposed. Motion fails. We are now moving on
to the next motion, which will be the last motion
to clause for a. And it is moved by councilor
chaloner and seconded by councilor malbos. Whereas the proposed town
of milton 2024 property tax increase when blended with the
regional municipality of halton and School board's 2024 operating budgets
will net out at Five point. 37% if the region
and the school board's budgets are approved, as Is and
whereas the proposed 2024 Town of milton property tax increase
when blended with the regional municipality of halton School Boards
and proposed halton Regional Police Services, operating budgets could net
out. At about 5.78% if they are approved as proposed.
And whereas milton is in economic recession, interest rates are
high, food inflation is continuing unabated, and an increasing number
of miltonians are defaulting on their mortgages and not paying
their property taxes. Therefore. Be it result that in order
to provide financial relief to hard hit milton families, the
Town of milton 2024 operating budget achieve a 5% blended
property tax rate objective. And further Be, it resolved that
the 36 million purchased goods and services. Line items in
the 2024 Town of milton operating budget be reduced in
order to achieve a 5% blended tax rate total requiring
an estimated reduction of 825,000. To 1,770,000. Dollars depending on
the final budgets established for halton Region and the halton
Regional Police service. I have read the motion and you
can see it on the screen as well. I will
now go to the mover of the motion to speak
to the motion. Councilor chaloner. Thanks, madam chair. And Council
recall from last year, when I brought this forward. Staff
didn't love this. I can tell you they still don't.
Reluctant was the word. I got back and I understand
that. But. When I saw. Where we were netting out
and when I see where we're netting out tonight. We
don't have the revenue. And when you don't have the
revenue, you've got to do with your expenses as well.
And all of our leading indicators are falling at this
point. And what are we doing. To try to bring
ourselves into balance. And while I support a lot of
the things that are in the new budget. The new
proposed budget. I think we have to take a look
at those auxiliary things that we're spending on. And much
of it is in that $36 million purchase, goods and
services, budget. And take a hard look at it. And
provide some discipline that way. And. This is. The least
challenging way to deal with that. Where does that nation
come from? Well. I spent 40 years in business. Not
all of them were rosy years. I always spent most
of my career in technology in the we had some
pretty tough times, 80s as well. And whenever revenue was
not going to make the expense line, the expense line
had to get cut. You had to balance the budget,
you had to make money. And typically, that's where you
started first. You avoided going to headcount. Sometimes we had
to. And I'm not proposing that this evening. At all.
But. I'm supportive of, for example, of the six positions
to deal with 911, the benefits of that are going
to be groundbreaking. So that is it in a nutshell.
We're in a tough place with our economy. I think
that we need to swing a little bit harder at
our operating budget when we look at places to reduce.
I don't think that we've necessarily looked hard enough. We've
reduced proposed spending, but we haven't reduced actual spending. And
that's why I brought it forward. What is my sense
of optimism about this passing tonight? Low. But I want
you to know that I was thinking about it. That
there are ways around this, but. It takes. A little
creativity. And leadership, quite frankly. And I know there's a
lot of people in milton right now who are hurting.
I hear from them. And they're looking to us to
help them in a very difficult year, which may prove
to be a couple of difficult years. Thanks. Thanks, councilor
Chalner, councilor melbo as a secondary. Thank you, madam Chair.
I agreed to second the motion to get this on
the floor and wanted to see exactly where we were
going. But based on the numbers that are in the
motion and everything else, we're way over that and we're
not going to hit those numbers. So I don't know
if the motion is redundant or what. There are a
lot of areas that. We could be using. To reduce
the tax burden for our residents. Outside consultants. I believe
we spend too much money on outside consultants. There's a
way there. Our facilities, our sports facilities, the art center.
Can't we make those more efficient and cost effective to
reduce the cost on taxpayers. Private sector sports centers break
even or make money for some reason. Our facilities we
lose $4 million a year. We have a transit system
that costs $7.7 million a year. That's used by less
than 2% of our population. That comes out to about
$3,500 a person arriving. We can buy them each a
car for less than that. So there are a lot
of areas, but Unfortunately. I can't see that happening. The
political will is not there. So. We're already at. Almost.
10%. That's as high as I can go. So I'll
support the budget of the way it stands now, but
hopefully this will be the end of it. Thank you,
Councilor malpa. Councilor Jazz is next. Thank you, madam Chair,
this is a question for Glenn. Glenn, can you tell
us if I saw the blended rate? But what would
be the local rate if this was to happen. So
maybe just quickly before speaking to the rates. One quick
update. So when we provided the range that's in the
motion itself up to 1.77. That was based on what
potential changes could happen at the region. One thing I
hadn't factored in when helping provide that number was what
other decisions may have occurred here tonight. So. With the
two amendments that have been made to date, it would
be a $2.1 million reduction. In the purchase services and
goods to achieve the 5% blended. Assuming again that the
region finalizes at the current number, the ultimate impact of
this motion won't be able to be fully calculated until
after the region has gone through their entire process. But
right now it would be 2.1 million. So on that
basis, what it would mean at a local level would
be a 7.55% change in our local budget with that
$2 million removed, and then the blended would come to
that 5% number that is the intended target. Thank you,
madam Chair. And thank you, Glenn. Thank you, councilor. Jazz.
Next is councilor best. Yes. Thank you, madam Chair. Just
a question regarding this. I understand. Where councilor Melbourne are
coming from, but two staff, either the cio or Treasurer,
the 36 million looking. 2.1. What impact would this have
and what risks you see in this. I'll feel that
one first. I see this significant in order to arrive
at the 36 million, there's already been a number of
reductions not just in purchase goods and services, but across
the board in the budget process, some of the specific
areas that help get us to that million dollar reduction
we're in areas like the utilities that we're purchasing at
the facilities at some of the It contracts. So some
of the very items that are in here. So 2.1
million out of that 36 when you look at which
services we're spending that external funding on it's in road
operations, it's in transit, it's in our facilities. And it's
in our it is our biggest areas of spend. And
so to achieve 2.1 it would result in service level
impacts. I'm confident in saying that even though we haven't
gone through the exercise yet to identify specifically where we
would go about that because of service level changes being
involved. Ultimately, we would bring that back to Council. As
that's really where service level decisions are best made. Anything
further, Councilor best. Well, maybe the cio could comment on
this. Yeah, I would just add. The most important piece
was the ending to glenn's statement is that we'd be
looking for counsel to identify those service level cuts. Just
to inform counsel that to my knowledge that there is
no more proposed changes at the Regional Council, I don't
believe anyone's adding or subtracting. So what you see. Being
proposed. The Regional Council is what's going to come through.
Fortunately the police are looking at hiring it was a
48 new officers. So that's where the major increase is
going to be. Plus, we also have inflation. I believe.
Correct hearing from Staff 80% of our budget is due
to inflation and. Having approved two other budgets recently, a
lot of these costs aren't going down. We're going to
be increasing, not decreasing. So looking at some I appreciate
where councilor Chowner is coming from, but it's going to
be very difficult on this unless we're looking at some
major service cuts. Thank you, councilor. Best. Are there any
other comments or questions on this motion? I am seeing
none. So I will call the vote now all those
in favor of this motion. O, councilor chaliner. All those
in favor of this motion. Please raise your hand. All
those opposed. Motion fails. With this. Ladies and gentlemen, we
come to the end of the motions or amendments to
clause four, A, and I can confirm that all motions
on the 2024 operating budget of Town and Library, which
was clause foray are. Now complete. At this point, I'm
going to go to our cfo to see if he
can give us a final number where we are in
the budget, so that all of my Council colleagues. Are
on the same page on the Budget numbers. Yes. So
our local change is a 9.88% change. The blended total
change is 5.93%. The total dollars per 100,000. And this
is including the estimated regional amount would be $43.60 per
100,000. So for the average house of 600,000, it would
be $261.62. Thank you for that update. Are there any
other staff members who want to speak to any of
these items before we proceed. I'm seeing none. I know
that my colleagues are eager to share their statements on
the budget that will come very in the near future.
But we have to go through many more clauses before
we get to the point. I just wanted to clarify
that I know how eager my colleagues are. With this,
we will now move on to clause four, B. And
this is where councilor best declared a conflict, and you
can see him sliding way back over there. Clause four
B States that the 2024 operating budget for Seniors, program
salaries and benefits in the amount of $39,512 we receive
a review and any amendments made by Council. Are there
any motions to be considered in nation to this clause.
Seeing none. So I'm going to call the vote on
this. No, there's no vote. Yeah. We are going to
move on to clause five. Councilor Best is welcome to
slide right over. Clause Five States that if the actual
net taxable assessment growth is different than 2.29%, any increase
in the tax dollars generated from the town's portion of
assessment growth for 2024 Taxation be transferred to the Tax
Rate stabilization Reserve, or any. Decrease in tax dollars. Generated
from the town portion of Assessment Growth for 2024. Taxation
be funded from the Tax Rate stabilization reserve. And I'm
pretty sure. I have now read that. Are there any
motions to be considered in relation to this clause, which
is clause five? I'm seeing none. I will now move
on to clause six. Clause Six States that the nonunion
salary range adjustment for 2024 be approved at a rate
of 2.1%. Are there any motions to be considered in
relation to this clause? I'm seeing none. So I'm going
to move on to clause seven. Clause Seven States that
the 2025 2026 operating. Forecast for the town, including the
Library, with a combined net increase in the tax levy
of 27.1 million as outlined in appendix Five of this
Report or as potentially revised to be received. And on
this I do have an amendment to the clause, which
is a motion moved by Councillor challoner and seconded by
councilor Marshall. And I'm going to read that motion now.
That staff be directed to prepare a report for Council
that outlines alternatives for a multiyear financial strategy for the
town that can be used as a basis to guide
future budget processes. And that a Council workshop to discuss
the alternatives be held in advance of the presentation of
the report to Council and that the staff report be
presented to. Council for consideration no later than June 2024,
and finally, that an annual financial workshop occurred in June
or July to discuss pertinent financial information. As well as
facilitate pre budget discussions. I have read the motion. I
will go now to the mover of the motion. Councilor
Chaloner. Thanks, madam Chair. I think it's pretty straightforward. I
just want to thank the cfo, the cao, councilor Marshall
and councilor tesser dirkson for their leadership in this discussion.
Thank you, Councilor chandler, Secondary Councilor Marshall. I would agree.
It's pretty straightforward. Thank you, councilor Marshall, are there any
comments or questions on this motion. I'm seeing none. So
I'll call the vote. All those in favor. Motion Passes
unanimously. Are there any further motions to be considered in
relation to Clause Seven related to the 2025 2026 Operating
forecast. I'm seeing no other motions, so I'm going to
move on to Clause Eight, clause Eight States that the
transfers to and from reserves and reserve fronts within the
2024 Budget, as outlined in appendix Six or as potentially
revised be received. Are there any motions to be considered
in relation to this clause. I see none moving on
to clause nine. Clause Nine States that the milton bia
budget in the gross amount of $487,675, resulting in a
net tax levy of 270,990. Dollars as outlined in appendix
Seven we received for review and any amendments made by
Council. Are there any motions to be considered in relation
to this clause. I am seeing none. Okay. So this
was clause nine. And at this point. I would like
to say that all motions are complete. And now we
will move to vote on the motions as revised. And
in advance of US calling the final vote on the
motions as amended. I will now ask the cfo for
an updated slide on where the numbers for the operating
and capital budget sit. And of course, pursuant to that
will be the opportunity for my colleagues to share their
comments and statements. Glenn. So coming up on the screen
now is a reflection of the figures that we verbally
spoke about just a few moments ago and we can
leave the slide up during the comments just so it's
an easier reference for Council. But as mentioned, it's a
9.88% change at the local level and a 5.93% projected.
Impact at the total level with the other levels of
government as well, which translates to assessment or. 261 on
the average household. Thank you, Glenn. I am sure my
colleagues had a chance to look at the screen, all
the numbers up there in the graphic. And I will
now go to my colleagues to see if they have
any comments or statements. I have Mayor cranz to my
right, Mr. Mayor, you're absolutely right. The agenda that was
sent out with the recommendations. I don't see. And of
course I know it's changed tonight from 9.5 to 9.88,
and the rest that's in there. How will that be
incorporated. In the staff recommendation there. And those nine points
that you've been alluding to I know in the Executive
Summary, it covers it off, but I want to be
very clear. Because. It's bottom line that I'm concerned about.
And again, I think I've made it very clear to
anybody that wants to listen. But I was never in
support of 9.5 and certainly never in support now of
9.88 or I'm going to round it off at 10%.
Going around at office. Because there are certain things in
those nine things that I support. But I don't support
9.88. So I'm not suggesting breaking every one of the
mode again separately and deal with. But bottom line, I
don't support nine, eight, eight. As an example. We were
circulated and Glenn alludes to this earlier on this evening.
Some of the comments from individuals. And these aren't my
words. They're talking about tax increases as unacceptable. More than
once. An outrageous. I could probably add other. Actual as
to what we may be doing here tonight, but I'm
not going to do that. Again. As you know, madam
Chair, I signed off. Of the strong mayors issue, and
the clerk will get to that in just a few
moments on waiving some of the rights that I could
have had, but I did reserve the right to change
my mind at any time. And the clerk knows that
as well. But it's not my intention to do that.
I'm a firm believer in majority rules, and that the
majority of this Council wants to put it up 10%.
So be it. I won't be supporting that. But other
than that, I have no thoughts on it. I just
don't want to be part of. A spend thrift Council.
I'll make that very clear. Co. Is well aware of
that of my sentiment. And growing bureaucracy by leaps and
bounds. In this particular case, 22 additional new people on
top of what, 600, 700 people that's already here. I
was never part of that. Never wanted to be part
of it. Never will be part of growing government. So
other than that, I have no thoughts. So thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Merritt. Thank you for sharing your sentiments
with us. I have councilor Jazz next. Thank you, madam.
Chair. This might be unorthodox, but I put something together.
I think this is the right time to state it.
And the town of milton Worth. Growth unfolds a tale
of inflation its narrative holds infrastructures embrace services, dance yet.
The cost of progress, a circumstance. Inflation whispers through the
bustling streets a reality that municipal balance greets. Taxes rise
unnecessary tune to fortify foundation under the crescent Moon bridges
of progress, roads paved in dreams yet the fiscal river
turbulent. It seems to maintain the heartbeat of the town's
core taxes ascend a fiscal metaphor for. Schools that blumen
parts that thrive. Inflation's challenge. They must survive. Town's embrace
expanding sphere taxes climb a pathway clear and the Echo
of growth a fiscal verse in milton's heartbeat the people's
purse inflation's dance a complex song Taxes rise a town
grows strong. Thank you, councilor jazz. Before I call the
vote on the clauses, we just deliberated. I would wish
to look around again and see if any of my
colleagues have any comments or statements to add. Councilor kolki.
Thanks, madam Chair. I'll just keep it brief. I'm happy
of the investments that we're making here. And appreciate all
those that supported those three motions earlier as well. It's
an investment in road safety, it's an investment in traffic
staffing. It's an investment in fire services, amongst the other
items that are in the budget as it is, I'm
supportive of the budget and I look forward to again
in future budgets, just continuing to be the best advocate
I can be for the community and making investments that
we need. To get to where we need to be
by 2051 thank you. Thank you, councilor kalki. Certainly those
investments have been included in the budget. Mayor krantz. It's
on the overall budget. Madam Chair, I'm calling for a
recorded vote on that as well. Thank you. Clerk has
noted that thank You, Mr. Mayor. I'm seeing none of
my colleagues have any other comments or statements to add.
So a recorded vote has been called and I will
leave it to the clerk to deal with that. So
with respect to clauses one through nine, excluding item Four,
B. I see councilor Best has a comment to that.
I just wanted to make sure you've excluded my conflict.
Thank you. Yes. Thank you, counselor. Thanks for pointing that
out. So again, clauses one through nine, excluding four B
due to the conflict. I would ask all members who
are in favor of the motion to please stand. In
favor. I see councilor culky councilor best. Councilor Marshall
councilor Malbaf councilor tesser dirkson, councilor at Jazz councilor eli.
Thank you. You. Please be seated. Members opposed. Please stand.
Opposed. I'm seeing Mayor krantz and councilor Chalanor that motion
carries. Thank you, madam clerk. We will now call
the vote on clause B separately. Clause Four B separately.
It is moved by councilor malbon. Second, by councilor kalki
that the 2024 operating budget for Seniors, program salaries and
benefits, and the amount of $39,512 we received for review
and any amendments made by Council. All those in favor
of this motion. And that's carried. Thank you. We
have now finalized all nine clauses, including clause four, B.
We will move to clause ten. But the clause ten
will confirm that there are no further amendments for members
of Council. And I will read clause ten, and then
I will go to our cfo to add a little
bit of information to clause Ten for clarification because it
is a little bit confusing here. Boston that for the
purposes of the 2024 Budget, the 30 day period referred
to in subsection six of Ontario Regulation 530. 22 be
shortened such that it is considered expired at the time
of Council approval of this Resolution on December 4. 2023,
Glenn, can you please explain. Yes. So this is a
new resolution this year, specific for the new legislation. In
previous years, the last vote would have been a vote
to approve the entire budget, and the budget process would
have been complete this year. It was only to approve
amendments to the proposed budget. There's still the remaining legislative
timelines. So essentially, with approval of this CL. Clause. And
especially given that there's no further plans Council meetings between
now and when the time period would naturally expire. By
having this vote tonight, it allows us to confirm that
the period for amendments is finalized and proceed with the
remaining legislative steps, the next of which would be the
period the ten day period where the American make vetoes
Merric. Merrickrantz. Yeah, madam Chair, I've already confirmed with the
clerk that I'm signing off on this. And again, I
spoke to it earlier on democracy. Is alive and well
here this evening, even though I lost hope, my wishes.
But that's democracy. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Any
other further questions of clarification to the cfo on this
clause from anybody. I'm seeing none. So I'm going to
call the vote on this. All those in favor of
clause ten. And that is carried. With the approval of
this motion. I can announce that Council's period to amend
the proposed budget, as described in Ontario Regulation 530. 22
is hereby concluded. And with that members of Council, we
were going to go on a brief recess and we
will reconvene shortly. Thank you.
I would like to request my members of Council colleagues
that we are back from the recess. We are back
from the recess and I have just received. The signed
declaration from the Mayor to shorten the time to veto
any motions such as the Timeline expires on December. Fourth
and at this time through the mayor's signing of the
declaration received by the Town clerk as part of Public
Record, the 2024 budget for the Town of milton is
hereby finalized. And with this, we'll move on to our
regular business items on the agenda. Before me, I have
staff reports. Urs 58, two, three. Ontario Regulation 28409. It
is moved by councilor Malbouls and seconded by councilor kalki
that the compliance report for the expenses excluded from the
2024 budget outlined in Reports urs 57. Two, three be
approved as a requirement of Ontario Regulation 28409, passed under
the Municipal Act of 2000, and. One. Are there any
questions or comments to this motion? I'm seeing none. So
I'm going to call the vote, all those in favor.
And that passes. With that we move on to the
bylaw section. I have a motion moved by councilor Malbout.
Seconded, by councilor kulki that bylaw number nine, one, 2023,
be read, passed and numbered, and that the Mayor and
the Town clerk be authorized to sign the set bylaw
seal it with the seal of the Corporation, and that
they be engrossed by the bylaw book. Are there. Any
questions and comments from my colleagues on this and seeing
none, I'm going to call the vote. All those in
favor that passes. And with all business concluded for this
agenda, ladies and gentlemen, this meeting is now adjourned. Thank
you. Mr. Mayor has a comment. Just before you adjourn.
I just wanted to thank you, madam Chair, for doing
a nation job on the budget. It's not an easy
job. I know that you've been involved with staff on
getting this whipped into shape for some time. So I
just want to acknowledge that. And Glenn and all the
senior staff has taken a lead role on lotus. Hasn't
been easy and I know staff. I'm working on this
for many weeks and many months. With that, I take
the privilege, and this doesn't have to be an open
session. Of course. But one of your and my colleagues
is celebrating a very special. Day today. And I'm not
sure whether you're aware of or not, but I know
councilor ayjaz has become more mature today because today is
his birthday. Mayor. It's actually my birthday. Council calculate birthday,
not councilor Idaz's birthday. He matured a long time ago.
I still have some work to do. He then as
well become a little bit more mature. The information that
I got was councilor. Ijaz so. I just want to
congratulate councilor coke on becoming more mature as of today.
I think that refers to becoming a little older as
well. Councilor Healthy wanted to share a few sentiments. Absolutely.
Thank you very much for the birthday wish. Much appreciated.
And thank you for recognizing that I've matured. I appreciate
that. Mr. Mayor, I can confirm we can all use
a little bit of maturity here. Thank you. Thank you
so much, Mr. Mayor. Thank you for your comments and
highlighting our colleagues birthday. I have councilor Jazz now wishing
to speak, yeah, wishing to speak and wishing you happy
birthday? Had I known earlier, I would have wrote you
a poem. Thank you, Council Jazz. I would take this
moment to congratulate our staff, especially our senior staff, our
CEO, Andrew Sutila, for running a tight ship here. And
all of our senior management team, all of our commissioners,
all of your directors. You work so hard. And certainly
we see that we work with you. And we appreciate
you all so much and your teams who do all
of the Daily grind. So thank you for that. And
special thanks to cfo Glenn Cohen and his partner in
Crime, Jennifer, who honestly did a wonderful job. Preparing me
for tonight's meeting. And I appreciate the mayor's kind comments
of appreciation. Thank you so much all for attending tonight.
Those of you who are watching online. Thank you for
watching us. And being part of this meeting. With that,
I will now declare this meeting adjourned. Thank you.