PUBLIC MINUTES

STANDING POLICY COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Friday, October 15, 2021 at 9:00 A.m. - 1:00 P.m.

Via Teleconference Hosted in the Council Chamber, Saskatoon City Hall

PRESENT:

• Councillor C. Block, Chair
• Councillor R. Donauer, Vice Chair
• Councillor B. Dubois
• Councillor Z. Jeffries
• Councillor D. Kirton
• His Worship Mayor C. Clark (Ex-Officio)

ALSO PRESENT:

• Councillor S. Gersher
• City Clerk A. Tittemore, in Council Chamber
• Deputy City Clerk S. Bryant, in Council Chamber
• Committee Assistant V. Saini, in Council Chamber

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The Chair called the meeting to order on Treaty 6 Territory and the Traditional Homeland of the Métis People and confirmed roll call of the members in attendance via teleconference.

2.

CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

  That the agenda be adopted as presented.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Councillor Jeffries, Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• Moved By: Councillor Donauer

  That the rules of The Procedures and Committees Bylaw, 2014 be suspended for this meeting to allow for all members of Council present to have the same speaking privileges as Committee members.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Councillor Jeffries, Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

4.

COMMUNICATIONS

5.

REPORTS

5.1

Strategic Options to Reduce Expenditures 2022/2023 [File No. CK 430-72 x 116-2, 1700-1]

A report of the Chief Financial Officer was provided.

Director of Finance Smith provided a detailed overview of the report and answered questions of the committee. 

Prior to making motions on this matter, Committee considered 5.2 to 5.4 first and then returned to this item. 

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer
  1. That Administration report on the possibility and impact of reducing the 2022 and 2023 proposed operating budget for all business lines by 0.5%;
  2. That Administration report on the possibility and impact of reducing the 2022 and 2023 proposed transfer to reserves by 0.5%; and
  3. That Administration report on the possibility and impact of increasing all individual user fees by 5% for 2022.
  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Councillor Jeffries, Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• Moved By: Mayor C. Clark

  That Administration report further on the Solutions for Achieving Value and Excellence budget process in Calgary and also Edmonton’s recent cost savings exercises over the last several years and identify the similarities and differences with the City of Saskatoon’s Continuous Improvement efforts. In particular identifying how savings were identified as well as how decisions were made with regards to Full Time Equivalents. 

  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Councillor Jeffries, Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  Following consideration of this matter, the Administration advised that reporting on the above would likely occur at the 2022/2023 City Council budget deliberations in November. 

  
  

5.2

User Fee Guidelines and Cost Recovery [File No. CK 430-72 x 1700-1]

A report of the Chief Financial Officer was provided.

Director of Finance Smith presented the report and answered questions of Committee. Chief Financial Officer Tarasoff along with General Manager of Community Services Lacroix also answered questions of the committee. 

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

  That the report be received as information.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Councillor Jeffries, Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.3

2021 Previously Approved Budgetary Items [File No. CK 430-72 x 1700-1]

A report of the Chief Financial Officer was provided.

Director of Finance Smith provided an overview of the report and answered questions of the committee. 

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

  That the report be received as information.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Councillor Jeffries, Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.4

Comparative Analysis of Recent Budget Adjustments in Selected Canadian Cities.

A report of the Chief Financial Officer was provided.

Chief Public Policy and Government Relations Officer Jordan presented the report and answered questions of the committee. Director of Finance Smith responded to questions of the committee. 

The meeting was recessed at 10:50 a.m. and reconvened at 11:05 a.m. with all members in attendance.  

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

  That the report be received as information.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Councillor Jeffries, Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  Committee returned to continue consideration of Item 5.1.

  
  

6.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 11:24 a.m.