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2022-11-03 Finance Committee Minutes - Open SessionFinance Committee Meeting Open Session November 3, 2022 MINUTES —OPEN SESSION FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 3, 2022 AT 4:30 PM MEETING CONDUCTED BY ELECTRONIC PARTICIPATION Present: Councillor G. Sullivan Mayor D. Noade Reardon Councillor P. Radwan Councillor G. Norton Absent: Councillor D. Hickey Also Present: City Manager J. Collin Commissioner of Finance and Treasurer K. FudgE Director Financial Services J. Forgie Director Financial Services C. Lavigne General Counsel M. Tompkins Commissioner Human Resources S. Hossack Fire Chief K. Clifford Commissioner Saint John Water B. McGovern Director Engineering and Chief City Engineer M. Director SJ Water K. Mason Commissioner Growth & Community Services J. Commissioner Transportation & Environment M Director Transit and Fleet Marc Dionne Director Transit and Fleet I. Fogan Director / CIO S. Rackley Roach Director Public Works T. O'Reilly City Clerk J. Taylor Administrative Officer R. Evans Deputy Clerk P. Anglin Baker Hamilton . Hugenholtz Finance Committee Meeting Open Session November 3, 2022 1. Meeting Called to Order Councillor Sullivan called the Finance Committee open session meeting to order, advising Mayor Noade Reardon will be attending late due to travel. 2. Approval of Minutes 2.1 Minutes of September 28, 2022 Moved by Councillor Norton, seconded by Councillor Radwan: RESOLVED that the minutes of September 28, 2022 be approved. MOTION CARRIED. 3. Approval of Agenda Moved by Councillor Radwan, seconded by Councillor Norton: RESOLVED that the agenda of November 3, 2022 be approved. MOTION CARRIED. 4. Disclosures of Conflict of Interest No disclosures. 5. Consent Agenda 5.1 RESOLVED that the 2023 Operating Budget — Saint John Police Force and Public Safety Communication Centre, be received for information. 5.2 RESOLVED that the update on the Long -Term Financial Plan — General Fund and Utility Fund, be received for information. Moved by Councillor Radwan, seconded by Councillor Norton: RESOLVED that the Consent Agenda items 5.1 and 5.2 be received for information. MOTION CARRIED. 6. Business Matters 6.1 Unconditional Grant and Tax Base Moved by Councillor Norton, seconded by Councillor Radwan: RESOLVED that as recommended in the submitted presentation "2023 General Operating Budget — Property Tax Multiplier and Equalization Grant Recommendations" the Finance Committee makes the following recommendation: Finance Committee Meeting Open Session November 3, 2022 Property Tax Multiplier- It is recommended that the Finance Committee endorse moving Non-residential and Heavy Industrial property tax multipliers from 1.5 to 1.7 for the 2023 operating budget. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Noade Reardon entered the meeting. Moved by Mayor Noade Reardon, seconded by Councillor Radwan: RESOLVED that as recommended in the submitted presentation "2023 General Operating Budget — Property Tax Multiplier and Equalization Grant Recommendations" the Finance Committee makes the following recommendation: Core Funding and Equalization Grant — 1. That Common Council draft a letter to the Province in support of the Expert Panel recommendations; 2. Provincial Core Funding grant revenues be treated as "one time" revenue until such time as core funding grant is phased out in 2027. 3. And that Common Council draft a letter to the Province thanking them for the current changes and advising that we have a specific ask with respect to Property Tax Reform which is to open up the top end of the slider from 1.7 to whatever the municipality thinks appropriate. MOTION CARRIED. 6.2 2023 Draft General Fund Operating Budget Moved by Mayor Noade Reardon, seconded by Councillor Norton: RESOLVED that as recommended in the submitted report "2023 Proposed General Fund Operating Budget" the Finance Committee reflect upon the proposed 2023 General Fund Operating Budget, make all inquiries to staff and receive and file the submitted presentation and reports. MOTION CARRIED with Councillor Radwan voting nay. 6.3 2023 Utility Fund Operating Budget Moved by Mayor Noade Reardon, seconded by Councillor Radwan: RESOLVED that as recommended in the submitted report "2023 Utility Fund Operating Budget" the Finance Committee approve the proposed 2023 Utility Fund Operating Budget and forward to the next meeting of Common Council for approval and first and second reading of Water and Sewerage Bylaw amendments. MOTION CARRIED. 7. Adjournment Moved by Mayor Noade Reardon, seconded by Councillor Radwan: RESOLVED that the Finance Committee meeting be adjourned. Finance Committee Meeting Open Session November 3, 2022 MOTION CARRIED. The Finance Committee open session meeting held on November 3, 2022 was adjourned at 7:00 pm.