TAMRMS#: B06
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Bylaw 43/2020 Utility Bylaws (1st, 2nd and 3rd Readings)
Presented by: Diane McMordie, Director, Finance & Assessment/CFO
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
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That Bylaw 43/2020 be read a first time.
That Bylaw 43/2020 be read a second time.
That unanimous consent be given for consideration of third reading of Bylaw 43/2020.
That Bylaw 43/2020 be read a third and final time.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
This report presents Bylaw 43/2020 for all three readings on December 21, 2020 if Council so desires.
Bylaw 43/2020 is an omnibus bylaw that amends the Solid Waste, Water, Storm Sewer and Sanitary Sewer Bylaws, to allow new utility rates, fees and charges to be implemented on January 1, 2021. As such, Bylaw 43/2019 is a key foundational component to the utility side of the 2021 budget that is also being proposed for Council approval on December 21, 2020.
Attached to this Report are copies of the four underlying utility bylaws as they will look if Bylaw 43/2020 is passed.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Priority #1: Growth Policy Framework: Develop a robust policy framework to guide growth.
Strategic Priority #4: Infrastructure Investment: Identify and build needed capital assets.
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
Financial Planning
Stewardship of development of annual operating and capital budgets for Municipal and Utility operations.
The approved operating and capital budgets shall serve as the financial plan for the City and provide Administration with the direction and resources necessary to accomplish Council’s strategic direction and Council approved services and service levels in accordance with the Services and Service Levels Inventory
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On June, 2020 Council passed the following motion:
• PM-21-021- That the 2021 Utility Repair, Maintain, Replace (RMR) Capital Budget of 11 capital RMR projects be funded in the amount of $19,127,000.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Each year, Council approves a utility operating budget to provide required resources to deliver its programs and services to the community and a utility capital budget to provide required resources to maintain existing infrastructure and to support future capital initiatives.
The 2021 Consolidated Utility budget of $61,866,800
• 11 Utility RMR Capital projects in the amount of $19,127,000 approved in June
• 1 Utility Growth project in the amount of $500,000
• Utility operating budget in the amount of $42,239,800
The Utility budget results in an average utility bill decrease of 0.03% from the prior year.
There have been amendments to the water fees established per a cost recovery basis if either the City or contractor performs the work, as detailed in attachment titled ‘Water Fee Change Rationale.’
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
Two World Café Discussions with random sampling of residents was held, stakeholder engagement sessions and an online budget tool gathered input from residents for Council’s consideration as they deliberated the proposed business plan and budget.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
Approval of the 2021 Utility Operating Budget will result in a 0.03% decrease in the average residential utility bill.
Legal / Risk:
The Municipal Government Act provides that Council must adopt a utility operating and capital budget for each calendar year (ss.242 and 245).
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
N/A
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Report Date: December 21, 2020
Author: Terra Shmyr
Department: Finance & Assessment
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble