The Municipal Corporation of the Town of Fort Erie

Council-in-Budget Committee Minutes

Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 6:00 P.m. - 7:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

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1.

Call to Order

Mayor Redekop called the meeting to order at 6:04 pm.

2.

Roll Call

The Clerk gave the roll call.

Present: His Worship Mayor Redekop and Councillors Christensen, Dubanow, Flagg, Lewis, McDermott and Noyes

Staff: A. Carter, A. Dilwaria, J. Janzen, C. McQueen, C. Patton, and M. Schmitt.

3.

Announcements/Addenda

There was one addendum which added the presentation materials for Items 5.1.1 and 6.1.1.

4.

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest

None.

5.

Boards and Committees

Chaired by Councillor Flagg.

5.1

Presentations

5.1.1

Jen Kendall, CEO, Fort Erie Public Library

Re: CBC-04-2025 - 2025 Library Operating Budget

Jen Kendall provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the 2025 Fort Erie Public Library Operating Budget.

5.2

Reports

5.2.1

CBC-04-2025

2025 Library Operating Budget

• Recommendation 1
  Moved by: Mayor Redekop

  That: Council receives for information purposes Report CBC-04-2025 regarding the 2025 Fort Erie Public Library Board Budget request as set out in Appendix 1 to be incorporated into the consolidated General Levy Operating Budget.

  Carried

6.

Departmental Operating Budgets

6.1

Presentations

6.1.1

Jonathan Janzen, Director, Corporate Services

J. Janzen delivered a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the Town's 2025 General Levy Operating Budget. 

6.2

Reports

6.2.1

Response to Enquiry - Bay Beach Property

Enquiry by Mayor Redekop on January 13, 2025 regarding other revenue options, non-resident fees, including parking, and life cycle management of assets. 

Mayor Redekop commented that the response to the enquiry was very helpful and answered his questions. 

6.2.2

CBC-05-2025

Analysis of the 2024 Assessment for the 2025 Taxation Year

• Recommendation 2
  Moved by: Councillor Dubanow

  That: Council receives Report CBC-05-2025 regarding the analysis of the 2024 assessment for the 2025 taxation year for information purposes.

  Carried

6.2.3

CBC-06-2025

2025 General Levy Operating Budget

• Recommendation 3
  Moved by: Mayor Redekop

  PART 1

  That: Council excludes 2025 Supplementary Base Budget funding, subject of previous reports/resolutions:

  PART 2

  That: Council approves the following 2025 Supplementary One-Time funding, subject of previous reports/resolutions:

  1. $100,000 for Sherkston Road permanent closure between Point Abino Road North and Michener Road funded by the General Levy Rate Stabilization (GLRS) Reserve.

  PART 3

  That: Council approves the following 2025 Supplementary Base Budget new funding requests:

  1. $39,080 for Supervisor of Construction Projects - Growth (IS) staffing costs net of Capital funding
  2. $88,605 for Parks Technician, Arboriculture (IS) staffing costs
  3. $54,145 for Permit Application Technician (PBBS) staffing costs funded by the Building Permit Surplus Reserve.

  PART 4

  That: Council approves the following 2025 Supplementary One-Time new funding requests:

  1. $125,000 for a Facility Condition Assessment Study update funded by the Facilities Maintenance Reserve
  2. $89,476 for Town Hall landscape improvements funded by Parkland Reserve
  3. $150,000 for Comprehensive Zoning By-law review funded by the GLRS Reserve
  4. $150,000 for Community Planning and Permitting System (CPPS) consultant funded by the GLRS Reserve.

  PART 5

  That: Council approves the following 2025 grants:

  1. $26,250 for Fort Erie Lions Senior Citizens complex
  2. $37,568 for business improvement area watering
  3. $28,853 for Beachcombers Seniors Complex
  4. $21,500 for Community events
  5. $1,692,287 for the Fort Erie Public Library.

  PART 6

  That: Council approves the following 2025 Business Improvement Area (BIA) levies:

  1. $40,700 for Bridgeburg Station BIA Levy
  2. $33,390 for Crystal Beach BIA Levy
  3. $45,000 for Ridgeway BIA Levy.

  PART 7

  That: Council amends the 2025 Capital Budget to include a Streetlight Replacement Program [SLMP25] for $130,000 with Road Refurbishing Reserve funding.

  That: Council amends the 2025 Capital Budget to include an Emergency Preparedness Trailer [R73025] for $20,000 with Fleet Equipment Replacement Reserve funding.

  PART 8

  That: Council approves the 2025 General Levy of $36,959,660 comprised of a base budget of $36,831,975 and a supplementary budget of $127,685 and approves the 2025 General Capital Budget of $13,199,512 and directs staff to submit the related By-laws.

  PART 9

  That: Council excludes capital asset amortization of $7.4 million from the 2025 General Levy Operating Budget.

  Carried as amended

• Amendment:

  Moved by: Mayor Redekop

  That: Report CBC 06-2025 be amended to remove the recommendation under Part 8 and replace it with the following:

  That: Council approves the 2025 General Levy of $36,824,660 comprised of a base budget of $36,696,975 and a supplementary budget of $127,685 and approves the 2025 General Capital Budget of $13,199,512 and directs staff to submit the related By-laws.

  Carried

7.

Scheduling of Meetings

Councillor Flagg returned the Chair to Mayor Redekop.

Niagara Regional Transit Master Plan Open House - Thursday, January 30, 2025, 1:00-3:00 pm, Atrium at Town Hall.

8.

Adjournment

• Recommendation 4
  Moved by: Councillor Dubanow

  That: Council-in-Budget Committee adjourns at 8:15 p.m.

  Carried