TAMRMS#: B06
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Budget Guiding Principles Policy Amendments
Presented by: Diane McMordie, Director of Financial Services
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
recommendation
That City Council Policy C-FS-05 Budget and Taxation Guiding Principles, provided as an attachment to the to the January 23, 2017 agenda report titled "Budget Guiding Principles Policy Amendments", be approved.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
To address amendments to the policy required to comply with a Council motion.
COUNCIL DIRECTION
On December 12, 2016 Council passed the following motion:
(File ID CM-16-024)
The Budget Guiding Principles include a clause that Council member submitted Business Cases and Project Charters not be automatically funded but included as
unfunded unless recommended to be funded by Administration.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Historically, Council Member submitted business cases and capital project charters have been deemed to be automatically funded. As such, Council Member business cases and capital charters do not face the same rigor in terms of the relative prioritization of available dollars.
Based on the approved motion, the amendments proposed in the policy will ensure that Council Member submitted business cases and project charters will be prioritized for funding recommendations in the same method as all other business cases and charters.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
None required or recommended
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial: Starting for the 2018 budget year, all business cases and project charters, whether Administration or Council Member initiated will be subject to the same prioritization criteria relative to a funding recommendation.
Legal / Risk: None at this time
Program or Service: This policy change ensures that available dollars are prioritized and recommended to Council based on predefined criteria deemed to be in the best interests of the City of St. Albert’s long term plans.
Organizational: None at this time
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1. The approved motion directs the change to the policy. Council could choose to provide alternate wording for consideration.
STRATEGIC CONNECTIONS
Governance Strategy
Council is committed to ensuring that the City of St. Albert is a responsive, accountable government that delivers value to the community.
Corporate Objectives (See Corporate Business Plan)
Deliver programs and services that meet or exceed our standards
Exercise strong fiscal management
Ensure our customers are very satisfied
Report Date: January 23, 2017
Author(s): Diane McMordie, Director of Financial Services
Committee/Department: Corporate Services
General Manager: Maya Pungur-Buick, GM of Corporate Services
City Manager: Kevin Scoble