That the Fees & Charges Bylaw of record BE AMENDED to reflect the 2020 Schedule of Fees; and, 

That the necessary by laws BE PRESENTED for Council's approval in support of the adoption of the 2020 Operating Budget; and,

That Council APPROVE the required transfers to and from various funds in accordance with the 2020 Approved Budget; and,

That the CFO & City Treasurer BE AUTHORIZED to process budget adjustments during the fiscal year, which do not change the overall approved property tax levy.

Executive Summary:

Administration is recommending a 2020 operating budget property tax levy increase totalling $4,887,365 for City departments, which is reflective of a 1.2% increase to the overall property tax levy. However, in keeping with Council's directive, the 2020 budget documents, as submitted, also provide options (not recommended by Administration) which would allow Council to hold the line on the property tax levy for the City Departments that fall within City Administration's direct control. It is noted that the 2020 budget as presented has considered the various impacts of Provincial budget cuts and downloading where such impacts can be determined for 2020 (also for ABC's). Detailed budget issues across all areas identify specific impacts of such cuts and any mitigating measures and/or increased levy requirements that have resulted thereby placing further pressure on the City's 2020 budget.

Administration is also recommending a property tax levy increase totalling $4,800,000 for the Asset Management Plan (AMP), which is reflective of a 1.2% increase to the overall tax levy. Details of the AMP can be found in report C198/2019 – 2020 8-Year Recommended Capital Budget, included in the Capital Budget document.

The request from the ABCs reflected in the budget documents is an increase of $5,102,349 (which has a further impact of 1.2% to the overall property tax levy). It is noted that the overall increase based on the submissions from all ABC's is a year over year increase of 4.2% of their combined budgets.

Notwithstanding any changes, Council may choose to make to the proposed Administrative recommendations for City departments, should City Council wish to achieve an overall zero property tax levy increase, an additional $9,902,349 in reductions will need to be identified to offset the increases required to fund the AMP as well as the increases requested by the ABCs. Administration has provided options for council consideration; however budget reductions to City Departments to fund the AMP and ABC's increases is NOT recommended.

Should Council accept the 2020 Operating Budget as recommended by Administration, this would result in a 1.2% increase to the required property tax levy that supports the operations of the City's departments, which is lower than the current rate of inflation (Consumer Price Index, Canada, All Items for October 2019 = 1.9%). An increase required to fund the Asset Management Plan to better maintain the City's infrastructure would result in an additional 1.2% increase, and should Council also approve all of the ABC funding requests, it would result in an additional 1.2% increase, for a total 2020 property tax