The Municipal Corporation of the Town of Fort Erie

Council-in-Budget Committee Minutes

Wednesday, December 04, 2024 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 6:01 pm and provided a land acknowledgement.

2.

Roll Call

The Clerk gave the roll call.

Present: His Worship Mayor Redekop and Councillors Christensen, Dubanow (arrived at 6:12 pm), Flagg, Lewis, McDermott and Noyes

Staff: A. Carter, G. Corney, A. Dilwaria, K. Gennings, K. Griffin, J. Janzen, D. Li, C. McQueen, C. Patton, T. Peazel, and K. Walsh

3.

Announcements/Addenda

One Addendum which updated Item 5.2.1 CBC-02-2025; Report and Appendix 1 were revised, and Appendix 2 and 3 were added.

There were no announcements.

4.

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest

None.

5.

Water and Sewer Operating Budget

Chaired by Councillor Flagg.

5.1

Presentations

5.1.1

Jonathan Janzen, Director, Corporate Services - 2025 Water and Wastewater Budget

J. Janzen delivered a PowerPoint presentation on the 2024 Water and Wastewater Budget and provided the following commentary:

• Service delivery overview, including operational challenges and commitments, and 
• Budget Inputs, including total expenses, Region treatment costs, Town expenses and other revenue, Town program expenses, Town financing and transfers, and
• Rate Setting, including total revenue, volume budget versus actuals, volume assumptions, base charge, municipal burden comparison, volumetric rate, rate setting, rate history and forecast, and
• Rates: When distributed over est. 2025 volumes, the Town increase, including the Region budget increase of 12.27%, results in 7.98% for the average household.

J. Janzen answered inquiries from the Mayor and Council. 

5.2

Reports

5.2.1

CBC-02-2025

2025 Fees and Charges

• Recommendation 1
  Moved by: Councillor Dubanow

  That: Council approves the fees and charges proposed in Appendix 1 to Report CBC-02-2025 and directs staff to prepare a by-law for Council approval.

  Carried

5.2.2

CBC-03-2025

2025 Water and Wastewater Operating Budget

• Recommendation 2
  Moved by: Mayor Redekop

  That: Council approves the 2025 Water and Wastewater Operating Budget attached as Appendix 1 to Report CBC-03-2025, and further

  That: Council sets 2025 Water and Wastewater rates, subject to Regional Council approval of treatment rates, effective with billing for January 2025 as follows:

  • 2025 water base rate per month: $28.51
  • 2025 water rate per cubic metre: $1.870
  • 2025 wastewater base rate per month: $46.65
  • 2025 wastewater rate per cubic metre: $3.042, and further

  That: Council excludes the capital asset amortization of $1.9 million from the 2025 Water and Wastewater Operating Budgets, and further

  That: Council directs staff to submit the 2025 Water and Wastewater Operating Budget and Rates By-law for Council approval on December 16, 2024.

  Carried

6.

Scheduling of Meetings

6.1

Wednesday, January 29, 225 - Fort Erie Public Library, Assessment Analysis and General Levy Operating Budget

6.2

Wednesday, February 5, 2025 (if required)

7.

Adjournment

• Recommendation 3
  Moved by: Councillor Dubanow

  That: Council-in-Budget Committee adjourns at 7:18 p.m.

  Carried