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#ThisIsWilmot Live tweet thread: Fourth and final meeting of the ad hoc Budget Advisory Committee. Agenda includes Consideration of Proposed 2019 Operating Budget, 2019 Water and Sanitary Budget and Rates, and 2019 Municipal Budget Package. Full agenda: calendar.wilmot.ca/townshipcalend… 
Mayor Armstrong gets things underway. CAO Grant Whittington says not all action items have been completed, but will be before next week's meeting.
Councillor Gerber thanks Scott Nancekivell (Director of Facilities & Recreation Services) for information about not-for-profits that was given via an email. This refers to a request in an earlier meeting.
Patrick Kelly (Director of Finance) is giving a Proposed Operating Budget report.
Details from Mr Kelly's report are covered in pages 4 to 9 in the agenda package for today's meeting.
Mayor Armstrong mentions that he met with Minister Steve Clarke today. Information from this meeting will be passed on to councillors. (I don't know if any of this will be made public.)
In response to comment from Councillor Gerber, Mr Kelly is discussing issues around collecting levies in an agricultural community, as there are some uncertainties about possible provincial government changes.
Question from Councillor Gordijk about definition of CAO/Clerks (refers to p12 of agenda package). Mr Kelly describes how the dollar amount breaks down. Councillor Gordijk points out that public will look at that figure and think it's all salaries.
Councillor Gordijk: I'm getting phone calls about this.
Councillor Hallman: It will be helpful to explain to the public - especially when the Sunshine List comes out - how much of $619,490 is salaries, and how much is other office costs.
Councillor Hallman: It will be helpful to explain to the public - especially when the Sunshine List comes out - how much of $619,490 is salaries, and how much is other office costs.
Dawn Mittelholtz (Director of Clerk's Services) says that the communication specialist the township will be hiring might help with language to communicate financial issues.
Councillor Gordijk asks why Haysville and St Agatha community centres aren't getting WiFi until 2020. All others getting it this year.
Councillor Gerber: Agrees with Mr Kelly's comment that township's IT department that two community centres getting WiFi each year is an improvement on one a year for four years.
Councillor Hallman asks for more training courses for council members to be considered in a future budget. Councillor Pfenning agrees that personal development will benefit individuals and the township. Mr Kelly says it certainly benefits staff when they have regular training.
Mayor Armstrong says that no one has ever been refused permission to attend AMO and ROMA conferences. Ms Mittelholz will look into this.
Councillor Hallman mentions concerns about security in township admin building. Rod Leeson (Fire Chief) says there are fire safety issues regarding locking rooms. Councillor Hallman says more cameras needed.
Councillor Hallman: There are definite concerns about lighting and cameras in township parking lot, especially for female personnel leaving in the dark.
Councillors Hallman and Gordijk explain to Councillor Fisher why township buildings that are open to the public need to be made safer for people who work in them.
Mr Nancekivell in response to Councillor Hallman: No plan for crosswalk at laneway at back of Schmidt Woods (Gingerich).
Councillor Gordijk: Has been asked by a member of the public about $50,000 allocated for WREDC. How is this justified? CAO Whittington gives explanation. (Item 38 in budget notes; p16)
Harold O'Krafka (Director of Development Services) elaborates that this is Wilmot's portion of regional corporation, as we don't have a big enough budget to promote the township on our own. Agrees with Councillor Gordijk that better communication with the public is needed.
Mr Whittington says he will add an action item to ask director of WREDC (@WaterlooEDC) to come give a presentation to council to explain their role and how it relates to township.
Councillor Hallman and Mr Kelly: brief discussion about recruiting Manager of Engineering replacement.
Recommendation by Mayor Armstrong to accept Proposed Operating Budget. Moved by Councillor Gordijk; seconded by Councillor Hallman. Carried.
Now discussing Water & Sanitary Operating Budget. Councillor Fisher asks which area of Wilmot is most need in replacement of aging infrastructure. Mr Molenhuis says New Hamburg probably has oldest, but don't know about need for replacement.
Recommendation from Mayor Armstrong to accept Water & Sanitary Budget. Moved and carried.
Mr Kelly is now discussing the 2019 Municipal Budget Package.
Says he is encouraged by the amount of engagement of council in the process. Mayor Armstrong praises staff for their hard work. Councillor Pfenning also thanks staff for answering all questions that have been put to them.
Recommendation from Mayor Armstrong to accept proposed 2019 Municipal Budget Package. Moved and carried.
And we are adjourned.
And we are adjourned.
