VARIANCE DESCRIPTION

The total departmental year-end variance is projected to be approximately: $135,000  Surplus

Pollution Control - The Pollution Control division, specifically the Environmental Master Plan area, is projecting a surplus of $47,000.

Salaries: $37,000

Majority of the anticipated surplus resulted from situations that occurred due to COVID-19. This included a LOA and not hiring summer students within the Environmental Master Plan area.

Miscellaneous Line Items: $10,000

Miscellaneous line item variances, specifically within the Environmental Master Plan area, is projecting a surplus of $10,000. This is due to COVID-19 as public events, such as Earth Day, could not be conducted this year.

Engineering and Office of the City Engineer - The Engineering and Office of the City Engineer division are projecting a surplus of $ 88,000, made up of the following:

Other General Revenue / User Fees / GIS User Fees: $183,000

User Fees, largely driven by GIS Surcharge Fees on building permits, are anticipated to contribute a surplus of $178,000 to the Division. Miscellaneous revenues make up the remaining $5,000 in surpluses.

Miscellaneous Line Items: $20,700

Miscellaneous line item variances contribute a $20,700 surplus. Offsetting this surplus is an anticipated deficit of ($5,000) related to COVID-19 additional expenses. These expenses were for additional cell phones and computer supplies (i.e. headsets) that were needed to accommodate virtual meetings.

Salaries / Work Auth Recoveries: $16,300

The department is reporting an anticipated surplus of $16,300 in Labour and Benefits, due to gapping that has occurred throughout the year.

Bank Charges: ($23,000)

Offsetting the surpluses for the Division is an anticipated deficit of ($23,000) in bank charges. This item has traditionally been in a deficit as credit card payments are on the rise. With COVID-19, more transactions were done via credit card transactions and higher charges were being put through as credit card transactions.

Tank Removal: ($29,000)

Offsetting the surpluses for the Division was a tank removal from the public right-of-way that resulted in a deficit of ($29,000). The tank was discovered during the installation of telecommunication cables within the public right-of-way. The removal required registry with the Ministry of Environment, hiring of qualified contractor, disposal of the unit and restoration of the area.

Licenses & Permits: ($80,000)

Due to COVID-19 Licenses & Permits are anticipated to be in a deficit of ($80,000). This is due to Sidewalk Cafe fees being waived, as well as a general trend of less Right of Way permits being issued in the first three quarters.