Title
2013 to 2015 Operating and Capital Budget Philosophy and Budget Calendar
Proposed Motion
That Council approve the 2013 to 2015 Operating and Capital Budget Philosophy and Budget Calendar as presented and;
that Administration prepare the 2013 Budget on the basis of a 1.5% tax rate increase.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the proposed motion.
Purpose
To provide Council with information on the 2013 to 2015 budget cycle process and receive direction from Council on any budget parameters Administration needs to work within.
Summary
The budget process provides an opportunity for Council and Administration to examine all service areas from a budget perspective and determine the amount of resources that will be required in the current year and the future two years to improve, reduce or maintain each service. The municipal budget puts into operational practice the strategies established in the Strategic and Business Plans. The municipal budget will provide administration with the resources needed to accomplish Council's desired program and service level goals balanced by the expectations of residents for service levels with their ability and willingness to pay for those services.
One of the first steps in the annual budget process is for council to provide some direction and/or parameters for Administration to work with in developing the budget. In order to provide assistance to Council in providing some parameters to Administration information has been gathered from current facts and issues that we see having an impact on this year's budget process (Attachment I). Administration has also enclosed the 2013-2015 Operating and Capital Budget Philosophy (Attachment II) which outlines the guiding principles Administration is to follow when preparing the budget and the 2013-2015 Budget Calendar (Attachment III) which provides key dates for the completion, specifically with the goal of Council approval of the budget o...
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