VARIANCE DESCRIPTION

The total departmental year-end variance is projected to be approximately: $207,000 Surplus

Staff gapping will contribute significantly to the overall variance due to delayed hiring of several positions and staff turnover during the year. Planning is projecting a fee revenue surplus of $200,000 in the area of development applications while Building By-law Enforcement at this time is possibly looking at a ($400,000) fee revenue shortfall. That by-law fee revenue relates to the enforcement of property standards, rental property conditions and upkeep of vacant buildings. The virus pandemic was definitely a major factor in this shortfall for a host of reasons including: the economy lock down, suspension of the court system and the covid-19 impact on land lords and tenants alike of which City staff were accommodating and strived to work in unison. The department does expect to find savings among various expense line items totalling $105,000 as a result of reduced travel and training and other general operating expenses.

MITIGATING STEPS

Administration has made concerted efforts to hold the line where possible on discretionary expenses within its control including delaying of staff recruitments while navigating the challenging situation of the past year and striving to maintain a respectable and safe level of service.