Councillor Carrick thanked and praised Administration for their work. He explained that as a Councillor he must find a balance between the pressures on the Town and the residents financial needs. Councillor Carrick requested that $600K be removed from the Capital Budget, the amounts allocated to the facility build up account be removed, and suggested a staggering the hiring for the positions proposed in the budget.
Councillor Carrick also requested that reports now include reserve transfer information. He explained that when Council is being asked to use money held in reserve he would like Administration to indicate which reserve is being drawn from and the balance remaining in that reserve.
Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo commented that she is happy to support the hiring of additional staff, but would like to see the proposed tax rate reduced, noting that the proposed increase will create financial difficulties for many residents. She indicated she was agreeable to reducing or eliminating reserve contributions.
Councillor Renaud acknowledged the challenges faced each year during budget deliberations. He acknowledged that there will always be members of the community that want to see a lower tax rate, but Council also needs to ensure that the Corporation has the tools and resources it needs to deliver services to the public. He indicated that he would entertain a list from Administration suggesting reductions to reduce the tax rate.
Councillor Burns acknowledged Administration and expressed gratitude for their efforts. He also noted that members of the community are struggling financially. He would like to see some reductions in the budget that show good faith efforts to lower the tax rate. He noted that LaSalle doesn't see the same funding levels and grants that other local municipalities receive despite the excellent service that it provides. He further explained that this inequity is one of the reasons why he wants to know the costs of the downloads by the province.
Deputy Mayor Akpata indicated that he would like Administration to consider seeking pre-approval for vehicles so that there is the opportunity to order vehicles ahead of time to realize some cost savings. He would also like to see Administration track the overtime they are working. He suggested that the Town celebrate their successes and educate the public about what is done, similar to the Efficiencies Report presented by Mr. Langlois. Finally, he acknowledged the economic realities in the community and asked that the budget be responsibly reduced.
Mayor Meloche noted that the Town is growing and Council has been presented with a fair and responsible budget, giving staff the tools they need to deliver services. She agreed with the comments from Members of Council, and acknowledged that there are members of the public who are struggling and Council needs to be considerate of those people in the community. She explained that before adopting a budget Council needs to look out for the best interests of the residents of today and those in the future, and asked Administration to consider some of the reductions mentioned. She indicated that Council will consider the proposed reductions after the break. She reminded everyone that the draft budget proposes an increase of $209.24 to the average home in LaSalle.
Mayor Meloche recessed the meeting at 2:03 p.m.
Mayor Meloche reconvened the meeting at 2:28 p.m.
Mr. Milicia presented options to reduce the proposed 2025 Budget: i) reductions that have limited future impact, ii) reductions which will defer contributions to a future budget, and iii) reductions that are not recommended by Administration.
He explained that insurance renewal has come in less than originally anticipated and those amounts can be removed from the budget. Administration can also defer the hiring of a few of the positions for the next few months. He further stated that Administration is comfortable with reducing contributions to the Strategic Plan, Asset Management Plan, Fire Master Plan, and Information Technology reserves by various amounts. These reductions will bring the municipal tax rate increase to 5.98%, resulting in an increase of $178.89 for the average home in LaSalle.
He explained that Council could further reduce the tax rate by decreasing the Asset Management Plan contribution by $400,000 and the LaSalle Landing contribution by $50,000. This would lower the proposed municipal increase to $149.52 for the average home in LaSalle; however, Administration does not recommend these additional reductions.
Mayor Meloche expressed sincere appreciation to members of Council, Administration and residents who provided valuable feedback. She also thanked each member of Council for their thoughtful deliberations, their commitment to fiscal responsibility and their continued dedication to ensuring the well-being of residents.
Mayor Meloche thanked all residents who provided input, engaged in the process and reminded residents that their voices are vital to shaping a budget that reflects the community’s values and priorities.
Mayor Meloche highlighted that difficult choices were made but the Town has agreed on a budget that strikes a balance between managing fiscal realities and investing in service and infrastructure that the Town requires. She stated that with continued collaboration, the Town will be able to address the needs of residents during these challenging financial times.
Lastly, Mayor Meloche noted that the process may have not resolved all concerns but with continued communication, we can ensure that the Town of LaSalle remains strong and vibrant and is prepared for the future.