This year's City of Timmins budget deliberations will have a significantly different feel to them, something that the city's top administrator hopes will improve the efficiency and clarity of the entire process.
On Monday night, CAO Dave Landers explained the reasons why a change was needed.
"As we concluded the 2017 budget process, and it was a rather lengthy one, on the surface it appeared to be not only confusing, it was confusing for a couple of reasons. The budget process was too long itself, so it was difficult to maintain focus during the six month process. As well there was a lot of information that was provided. A lot of it, I don't believe, assisted in decision making in terms of budget or future planning."
Landers said they were going to 'narrow the focus' from an administrative point of view. One major change is the elimination of departmental presentations. Each department has already submitted reports outlining the priorities and challenges for the upcoming year, and the near future. Landers said another initiative implemented this year was to have each department submit a two-year forecast.
"Multi-year budgeting makes better sense for members of council to see the longer game, but also it spans council periods, so an incoming council will have an idea of what the priorities are in front of them and they'll be able to plan accordingly. It's also better, of course, from a capital program management point of view, and to try to determine the best way to plan expenditures across the city," said Landers.
He mentioned both the Timmins Taxpayers Association as well as the Timmins Chamber of Commerce as having suggested a similar approach over the past few years.
Another big change is the fact that department presentations will be given by either the city's Director of Finance Jim Howie, or CAO Landers.
"The departmental managers will be resources to answer questions. Our focus will be at the highest level of what the cost drivers are that span the organization. Jim will tell you that there's probably seven or eight budget lines which account for almost the entire city budget."
Council has directed staff to come in at a less than two percent overall expenditure increase.
"Right now we've got the expenditure budget down to 1.98 per cent," said Landers. adding that Howie and Deputy Director of Finance Natalie Moore have done some 'heavy lifting' to arrive at that number.
"I think we can have a good discussion of what our priorities are as a council and administration, and where we go from there."
Budget deliberations will continue on Wednesday evening at city hall. A total of nine departments will have their budgets presented - Administration, Clerk Services, Community Development, Corporate Services, Public Works and Engineering, Fire, Golden Manor, Information Technology, and Financial Services.
The net expenditure increase is scheduled to be finalized by Dec. 5.
