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2017-09-27 Finance Committee Minutes - Open SessionFinance Committee Meeting Open Session September 27, 2017 MINUTES - OPEN SESSION FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 AT 4:30 PM 8t" FLOOR BOARDROOM, CITY HALL Present: Mayor D. Darling Councillor D. Merrithew Councillor D. Reardon Councillor G. Sullivan Councillor S. Casey Councillor G. Norton Also Present: City Manager J. Trail Deputy City Manager N. Jacobsen Commissioner of Finance and Treasurer K. Fudge Senior Manager Financial Planning H. Nguyen Deputy Commissioner Finance and Administrative Services I. Fogan Comptroller C. Graham Commissioner Saint John Water B. McGovern Commissioner of Transportation & Environment Services M. Hugenholtz Assistant Comptroller Finance C. Lavigne Commissioner Growth and Community Development J. Hamilton Common Clerk J. Taylor Deputy Fire Chief J. Armstrong Senior Financial & Economic Analyst B. Zirobwa A/Director Corporate Performance/Chief Information Officer S. Rackley -Roach Continuous Improvement Officer S. Ranson Administrative Assistant K. Tibbits 1. Meeting Called To Order Councillor Merrithew called the Finance Committee open session meeting to order. 1.1 Approval of Minutes — September 7. 2017 Moved by Councillor Reardon, seconded by Councillor Sullivan: RESOLVED that the minutes of September 7, 2017, be approved. MOTION CARRIED. 1.2 2018 Utility Fund Operating Budget Referring to the submitted report, Mr. McGovern reviewed the Saint John Water Fund Operating Budget. The 2018 budget includes completion of the largest municipal infrastructure project in the history of New Brunswick, the safe clean drinking water project. A Water and Wastewater rate study, universal metering evaluation and industrial rate study is scheduled to be completed in 2018. Continuous improvement and revenue generation opportunities continue to remain a focus. The proposed increase in the flat rate for 2018 remains at $72. Finance Committee Meeting Open Session September 27, 2017 Moved by Mayor Darling, seconded by Councillor Reardon: RESOLVED that the Finance Committee approve the 2018 Utility Fund Operating Budget and submit to Common Council for receive and file. Councillor Sullivan expressed concern with the proposed increase in water rates for 2018 and questioned if the original analysis remains relevant. MOTION CARRIED with Councillor Sullivan voting nay. (Mr. Lavigne withdrew from the meeting) 1.3 Fundy Regional Services Commission — 2018 Draft Budget Ms. Zirobwa commented on the budget submission from the Fundy Regional Services Commission, noting that there is a $10,000 increase in the budget submission. (Councillor Norton entered the meeting) Moved by Councillor Sullivan, seconded by Councillor Reardon: RESOLVED that the Fundy Regional Services Commission 2018 Draft Budget submission, be received for information. MOTION CARRIED. 1.4 Operations Savings Discussion (Deputy Mayor McAlary) Councillor Merrithew noted that item 1.4 Operations Savings Discussion, was referred by Council to the Finance Committee and added that there is a budget exercise in closed session. Adjournment Moved by Councillor Reardon, seconded by Councillor Sullivan: RESOLVED that the Finance Committee open session meeting held on Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 be adjourned. MOTION CARRIED. The Finance Committee meeting held on September 27, 2017 was adjourned at 5:25 p.m.