2024-09-18 Finance Committee Minutes - Open Session
Finance Committee Meeting
Open Session
September 18, 2024
MINUTES – OPEN SESSION FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 AT 4:30 PM
MEETING CONDUCTED BY ELECTRONIC PARTICIPATION
Present: Mayor D. Noade Reardon
Councillor G. Sullivan
Councillor G. Norton
Councillor P. Radwan
Councillor D. Hickey
Also
Present: Chief Administrative Office B. McGovern
Commissioner of Finance and Treasurer K. Fudge
Fire Chief R. Nichol
General Counsel M. Tompkins
Commissioner Human Resources S. Hossack
Commissioner Utilities & Infrastructure I. Fogan
Commissioner Growth & Community Services A. Poffenroth
Director Transit & Fleet I. MacKinnon
Director Financial Services J. Forgie
Director Financial Services C. Lavigne
Intermediate Accountant V. Parikh
Director Corporate Performance S. Rackley-Roach
Director Engineering / Chief City Engineer M. Baker
Senior Manager Transit & Fleet K. Loughery
Manager Continuous Improvement E. Hatfield
Director Legislative Services / City Clerk J. Taylor
Administrative Assistant A. MacLean
Administrative Assistant K. Tibbits
1. Meeting Called to Order
Councillor Sullivan called the Finance Committee open session meeting to order.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Minutes of August 28, 2024
Moved by Mayor Noade Reardon, seconded by Councillor Hickey:
RESOLVED that the minutes of August 28, 2024 be approved.
MOTION CARRIED.
3. Approval of Agenda
Moved by Mayor Noade Reardon, seconded by Councillor Radwan:
RESOLVED that the agenda of September 18, 2024 be approved.
MOTION CARRIED.
4. Disclosures of Conflict of Interest
No disclosures.
Finance Committee Meeting
Open Session
September 18, 2024
5. Consent Agenda
5.1 Request from Saint John Horticultural Association and Emera (Recommendation in Report)
Moved by Mayor Noade Reardon, seconded by Councillor Hickey:
RESOLVED that the Finance Committee recommends Common Council approve and execute the
requested amendments to the Deed of Gift and execute the Resolution of the Administrators.
MOTION CARRIED.
6. Business Matters
6.1 Expression of Interest – Canadian Public Transit Fund
Director MacKinnon reviewed the submitted report “Canadian Public Transit Fund – Expression of Interest
(EOI)”. The new Canada Public Transit Fund will provide $3B annually for public transit and active
transportation infrastructure beginning in 2026-27. Saint John Transit’s current focus is on the
Baseline funding stream, which is intended to provide predictable, long-term funding to the
existing transit system and support routine capital and non-capital investments, with an expected
focus on projects that include public transit and active transportation system expansions,
improvements, and state of good repair. The first step is to file an Expression of Interest
th
Application, due September 30.
Moved by Mayor Noade Reardon, seconded by Councillor Hickey:
RESOLVED that the submitted report “Canadian Public Transit Fund – Expression of Interest” be received
for information, and that any questions be directed to staff.
MOTION CARRIED.
6.2 Introduction to Service Based Budgeting
Commissioner Fudge stated that prior to introducing performance-based budgeting, which is a significant
cultural shift, it is necessary to reintroduce service-based budgeting back to the culture of the
organization.
E. Hatfield reviewed the submitted presentation “Service Based Budgeting”, noting that service-based
budgeting focuses on services rather than departments and also provides the cost of services to allow for
more focused funding decisions. Presenting service and budget information together improves budget
decision-making by focusing funding choices on outcomes.
Moved by Mayor Noade Reardon, seconded by Councillor Hickey:
RESOLVED that the presentation entitled “Service Based Budgeting” be received for information.
MOTION CARRIED.
6.3 August 2024 Year-to-Date Financial Results
Director Lavigne reviewed the submitted presentation “August 31, 2024 – Financial Results General and
Utility Fund.”
Moved by Mayor Noade Reardon, seconded by Councillor Hickey:
RESOLVED that the submitted presentation “August 2024 Year-to-Date Financial Results – General and
Utility Fund” be received for information; and that any questions be directed to staff.
MOTION CARRIED.
6.4 2025 Draft General Fund and Utility Fund Capital Budgets
M. Baker reviewed the submitted presentation “2025 Draft General Fund and Utility Fund Capital
Budgets” and highlighted the changes that were made to the draft budgets since the initial introduction
that occurred at the July meeting.
Finance Committee Meeting
Open Session
September 18, 2024
Moved by Mayor Noade Reardon, seconded by Councillor Hickey:
RESOLVED that the Finance Committee approve the 2025 General Fund Capital Budget for $39,742,363
with a City Share of $20,940,000 and an Other Share of $18,802,363 and forward to the next meeting of
Common Council for receive and file; and further that the Finance Committee approve the 2025 Utility
Fund Capital Budget for $14,067,165 with a Utility Share of $8,343,000 and an Other Share of $5,724,165
and forward to the next meeting of Common Council for receive and file.
MOTION CARRIED.
7. Adjournment
Moved by Mayor Noade Reardon, seconded by Councillor Hickey:
RESOLVED that the Finance Committee meeting be adjourned.
MOTION CARRIED.
The Finance Committee open session meeting held on September 18, 2024, was adjourned at 5:40 p.m.