Minutes

For the Finance and Administration Committee Meeting

-
Tom Davies Square
Present (Mayor and Councillors)
  • Councillor Signoretti, 
  • Councillor Benoit, 
  • Councillor Brabant, 
  • Councillor Fortin, 
  • Councillor Parent, 
  • Councillor Lapierre, 
  • Councillor Labbee, 
  • Councillor Sizer, 
  • Councillor McIntosh, 
  • Councillor Cormier, 
  • Councillor Leduc, 
  • Councillor Landry-Altmann, 
  • and Mayor Lefebvre 
City Officials
  • Kevin Fowke, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, 
  • Eric Labelle, Interim General Manager of Corporate Services, 
  • Tony Cecutti, General Manager of Growth and Infrastructure, 
  • Brendan Adair, Acting General Manager of Community Development, 
  • Joseph Nicholls, General Manager of Community Safety, 
  • Meredith Armstrong, Director of Economic Development, 
  • Terra Posadowski, Director of Communications & Community Engagement, 
  • Liisa Lenz, Acting Director of Finance/CFO, 
  • David Shelsted, Director of Engineering Services, 
  • Ron Foster, Auditor General, 
  • Kelsi Bernier, Manager of Financial Planning & Budget Deputy Treasurer, 
  • Apryl Lukezic, Coordinator of Budgets , 
  • Samantha Bourgeois, Senior Budget Analyst, 
  • Dawn Noel de Tilly, Chief of Staff, 
  • Brigitte Sobush, Manager of Clerk's Services/Deputy City Clerk, 
  • Christine Hodgins, Legislative Compliance Coordinator, 
  • Regina Sgueglia, Clerk's Services Assistant, 
  • and Cassandra Pierobon, Clerk's Services Assistant 

Councillor McIntosh, In the Chair

1.
Call to Order

  

The meeting commenced at 1:01 p.m.

2.
Roll Call

  

A roll call was conducted.

3.
Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

  

None declared.

4.
Continuation of the Finance & Administration Committee Meeting

  

  • The following main resolution as amended was presented:

    FA2024-36
    Moved ByCouncillor McIntosh
    Seconded ByCouncillor Cormier

    As amended:

    THAT the 2025 City of Greater Sudbury tax supported base operating budget for municipal operations, inclusive of fees and charges and excluding the City’s share of the Service Partners’ budgets described in Resolutions 2-6 as outlined in the report entitled “Finalization of the 2025 Budget”, and inclusive of operating budget amendments OA1 to OA18, be readopted in the gross expenditure amount of $581,397,243 and the net amount of $272,135,916 subject to the following amendments:

    THAT the 2025 Budget be amended to include the business case entitled "Hire Transit Electronic Technician" as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report entitled "2025 Annual Budget Update Report" with a 2025 net levy impact of $17,799.

    Subject to:

    THAT the 2025 Budget be amended to include the business case entitled "Implement Annual Grant for Onaping Falls Recreation Committee" as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report entitled "2025 Annual Budget Update Report" with a 2025 net levy impact of $16,000.

    Subject to:

    THAT the 2025 Budget be amended to include the business case entitled "Implement Modern Workplace Efficiencies for Municipal Relocation" as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report entitled "2025 Annual Budget Update Report" subject to:

    THAT the one-time costs of $533,354 in 2025 and 2026 be funded from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve resulting in a 2025 net levy impact of $252,962.

    Subject to:

    THAT the 2025 Budget be amended to include the business case entitled "Implement 2025 Sustainable Waste Strategies" as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report entitled "2025 Annual Budget Update Report" subject to:

    THAT the one-time costs of $382,000 be funded from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve resulting in a 2025 net levy impact of $50,000 and;

    THAT staff return with a report in Q4 2026 providing further analysis of the recommended sustainable waste strategy of implementing a Clear Garbage Bag Program.

    Subject to:

    THAT the 2025 Budget be amended to include the business case entitled "Implement Mattress Diversion Program" as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report entitled "2025 Annual Budget Update Report" subject to:

    THAT the 2025 costs of $356,250 and the 2026 ongoing costs of $475,000 be funded by a decrease in Blue Box costs for a net levy impact of zero.

    Subject to:

    THAT the 2025 Budget be amended to include the business case entitled "Implement Endpoint Detection and Response System with Cybersecurity Analyst" as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report entitled "2025 Annual Budget Update Report" with a 2025 net levy impact of $91,441.

    Subject to:

    THAT the 2025 Budget be amended to include the business case entitled "Hire Part-Time MLEO for Onboard Transit" as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report entitled "2025 Annual Budget Update Report" with an increase in fair box revenues of $37,503 resulting in a 2025 net levy impact of zero.

    Subject to:

    THAT the 2025 Budget be amended to include the business case entitled "Install New Columbarium Wall at Civic Memorial Cemetery" as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report entitled "2025 Annual Budget Update Report" with a 2025 net levy impact of zero dollars.

    Subject to:

    THAT the 2025 Budget be amended to include the business case entitled "Reduce Timeline to Merge Fire Stations" as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report entitled "2025 Annual Budget Update Report" with a 2025 net levy savings of $73,833.

    Subject to:

    THAT the 2025 budget be amended to defer the following business cases to the 2026 budget process:

    1. Proceed with Phase 2 of MR 55 Lorne Street Infrastructure Renewal
    2. Install Road Weather Information Stations
    3. Expand Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative Guidelines
    4. Create an Outdoor Sports Court at O'Connor Playground
    5. Eliminate Driveway Entrance Culvert Subsidy
    CARRIED

  • The following resolution was presented: 

    FA2024-37
    Moved ByCouncillor McIntosh
    Seconded ByCouncillor Cormier

    THAT the municipal share of the Greater Sudbury Public Library 2025 Budget, inclusive of Citizen Services Centres and inclusive of operating budget amendment OA11, in the gross expenditure amount of $10,652,526 and a net property tax levy requirement of $10,089,111, be readopted.

    CARRIED

  • The following resolution was presented:

    FA2024-38
    Moved ByCouncillor McIntosh
    Seconded ByCouncillor Cormier

    THAT the municipal share of the Nickel District Conservation Authorities (Conservation Sudbury) 2025 budget, inclusive of operating budget amendment OA11, in the gross expenditure amount of $1,372,632 and a net property tax levy requirement of $1,372,632, be readopted.

    CARRIED

  • The following resolution was presented: 

    FA2024-39
    Moved ByCouncillor McIntosh
    Seconded ByCouncillor Cormier

    THAT the municipal share of the Greater Sudbury Police Services 2025 budget, inclusive of operating budget amendment OA11, in the gross expenditure amount of $89,985,422 and a net property tax levy requirement of $83,494,285, be readopted.

    AND THAT the capital budget for Greater Sudbury Police Services for 2025-2027 in the amount of $14,982,067 be readopted.

    CARRIED

  • The following resolution was presented: 

    FA2024-40
    Moved ByCouncillor McIntosh
    Seconded ByCouncillor Cormier

    THAT the municipal share of the tax supported budget for the Sudbury Airport Personnel 2025 budget, inclusive of operating budget amendment OA6, in the gross expenditure amount of $4,163,011 and a net property tax levy requirement of $0, be readopted.

    CARRIED

  • Councillor Lapierre requested that the following friendly amendment be considered: by removing "a) an increase in the Public Health Sudbury & Districts' 2025 budget of $94,600," and increase the tax levy requirement by $94,600.00.

    Councillor McIntosh then moved to amend the motion.

    The following amendment was presented: 

    FA2024-41
    Moved ByCouncillor McIntosh
    Seconded ByCouncillor Cormier

    THAT the municipal share of the Public Health Sudbury & Districts’ 2025 budget in the gross expenditure amount of $9,568,314 and a net property tax levy requirement of $9,568,341, be readopted.

    CARRIED

  • The following resolution was presented: 

    FA2024-42
    Moved ByCouncillor McIntosh
    Seconded ByCouncillor Cormier

    THAT the water/wastewater 2025 operating budget be readopted in the gross expenditure amount of $101,541,106, representing a user rate increase of 4.8%, all in accordance with the Water/Wastewater Long Term Financial Plan;

    AND THAT the water/wastewater 2025-2027 capital budget, inclusive of capital budget amendment CA7, be readopted in the amount of $207,860,674.

    CARRIED

  • The following resolution was presented: 

    FA2024-43
    Moved ByCouncillor McIntosh
    Seconded ByCouncillor Cormier

    THAT the City of Greater Sudbury 2025-2027 tax supported capital budget, inclusive of capital budget amendments CA1 to CA6, be readopted in the gross amount of $642,161,319 subject to the following:

    1. Changes approved through other resolutions which affect the capital budget.

  • Rules of Procedure

    Mayor Lefebvre moved to amend the resolution.

    The following amendment was presented:

    FA2024-43-A1
    Moved ByMayor Lefebvre
    Seconded ByCouncillor McIntosh

    THAT the 2025 Budget be amended to include the business case entitled "Reconstruct Elgin Street (Elm Street to Brady Underpass)" as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report entitled "2025 Annual Budget Update Report" with a 2025 net levy impact of zero.

    CARRIED

  • Rules of Procedure

    Mayor Lefebvre moved to amend the resolution.

    The following amendment was presented:

    FA2024-43-A2
    Moved ByMayor Lefebvre
    Seconded ByCouncillor McIntosh

    THAT the 2025 Budget be amended to include the business case entitled "Refurbish Tom Davies Square Paris Street Courtyard" as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report entitled "2025 Annual Budget Update Report" with a 2025 net levy impact of zero.

    CARRIED

  • Rules of Procedure

    Councillor Labbee moved to amend the resolution.

    The following amendment was presented:

    FA2024-43-A3
    Moved ByCouncillor Labbee
    Seconded ByCouncillor McIntosh

    THAT staff be directed to pause accessibility work at the Capreol Public Library and Citizen Services Centre included in the Library Refurbishments Project previously approved in the 2024-2025 budget (described on pages 459-460);

    AND THAT a portion of funds be reallocated, to an upset amount of $40,000, to conduct a feasibility study to move library and citizen service centre operations and existing facility user groups to the Capreol Millennium Centre;

    AND THAT staff be directed to present a report to the Finance & Administration Committee by the end of 2025 on the potential to relocate services to the Capreol Millennium Centre which includes estimated project costs and information on future capital avoidance.

    CARRIED

  • The following main resolution as amended was presented:

    FA2024-43
    Moved ByCouncillor McIntosh
    Seconded ByCouncillor Cormier

    As amended:

    THAT the City of Greater Sudbury 2025-2027 tax supported capital budget, inclusive of capital budget amendments CA1 to CA6, be readopted in the gross amount of $642,161,319 subject to the following:

    1. Changes approved through other resolutions which affect the capital budget.

    Subject to:

    THAT the 2025 Budget be amended to include the business case entitled "Reconstruct Elgin Street (Elm Street to Brady Underpass)" as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report entitled "2025 Annual Budget Update Report" with a 2025 net levy impact of zero.

    Subject to:

    THAT the 2025 Budget be amended to include the business case entitled "Refurbish Tom Davies Square Paris Street Courtyard" as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report entitled "2025 Annual Budget Update Report" with a 2025 net levy impact of zero.

    Subject to:

    THAT staff be directed to pause accessibility work at the Capreol Public Library and Citizen Services Centre included in the Library Refurbishments Project previously approved in the 2024-2025 budget (described on pages 459-460);

    AND THAT a portion of funds be reallocated, to an upset amount of $40,000, to conduct a feasibility study to move library and citizen service centre operations and existing facility user groups to the Capreol Millennium Centre;

    AND THAT staff be directed to present a report to the Finance & Administration Committee by the end of 2025 on the potential to relocate services to the Capreol Millennium Centre which includes estimated project costs and information on future capital avoidance.

    CARRIED

  • The following resolution was presented: 

    FA2024-44
    Moved ByCouncillor McIntosh
    Seconded ByCouncillor Cormier

    THAT pursuant to Ontario Regulation 284/09, this report serves as the method for communicating the exclusion of the following estimated expenses from the 2025 Budget:

    a) Amortization expense - $80.3 million

    b) Post-employment benefit expenses - $5.2 million

    c) Solid waste landfill closure and post-closure expenses - $0.3 million

    CARRIED

5.
Members' Motions

  

Rules of Procedure

Councillor Leduc moved that the notice provisions be waived and that the Motion be dealt with.  

CARRIED BY TWO-THIRDS

  • The following resolution was presented: 

    FA2024-45
    Moved ByCouncillor Leduc
    Seconded ByCouncillor Parent

    WHEREAS municipalities face growing infrastructure needs, including roads, bridges, public transit, water systems, and other critical services, which are essential to community well-being and economic development;

    AND WHEREAS the current sources of municipal revenue, including property taxes and user fees, are insufficient to meet these increasing demands for infrastructure investment;

    AND WHEREAS the Province of Ontario currently collects the Land Transfer Tax (LTT) on property transactions in municipalities across the province, generating significant revenue that is not directly shared with municipalities;

    AND WHEREAS the Federal Government collects the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on property transactions, a portion of which could be directed to municipalities to address local infrastructure needs;

    AND WHEREAS redistributing a portion of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax and GST to municipalities would provide a predictable and sustainable source of funding for local infrastructure projects without creating a new tax burden on residents or homebuyers;

    AND WHEREAS a redistribution of a portion of the existing Land Transfer Tax and GST would allow municipalities to better plan and invest in long-term infrastructure initiatives, supporting local economic growth and improving quality of life for residents;

    THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Greater Sudbury formally requests the Provincial Government to consider redistributing a portion of the Land Transfer Tax collected on property transactions to municipalities; 

    AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Greater Sudbury requests the Federal Government to consider allocating a percentage of the GST collected on property sales to municipalities;

    AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this redistribution of the Land Transfer Tax and GST should be structured to provide predictable and sustainable funding to municipalities, allowing for better long-term planning and investment in infrastructure projects that benefit local communities, thus ensuring that local governments receive a share of the revenue to address critical infrastructure needs;

    AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be forwarded to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier Doug Ford, the Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario Minister of Finance, the Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Marc Serré, MP for Nickel Belt, Viviane Lapointe, MP for Sudbury, France Gélinas, MPP for Nickel Belt and Jamie West, MPP for Sudbury;

    AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for their endorsement and advocacy.

    CARRIED

6.
Addendum

  

No Addendum was presented.

7.
Civic Petitions 

  

No Petitions were submitted.

8.
Question Period

  

No Questions were asked.

9.
Adjournment

  

Councillor McIntosh moved to adjourn the meeting. Time: 1:56 p.m.

CARRIED

No Item Selected