Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIN-07-003 - Monthly Grant Allocations Prior to Budget Day ) db KITCHENER Financial Services ~ Report To: Date of Meeting: Submitted By: Prepared By: Ward(s) Involved: Date of Report: Report No.: Subject: Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, Chair, and Members of the Finance and Corporate Services Committee January 8,2007 All Pauline Houston, General Manager of Financial Services & Treasurer Dan Chapman, Director of Financial Planning & Reporting (2347) December 22, 2006 FIN-07-003 Monthly Grant Allocations Prior to Budget Day RECOMMENDATION: THAT the following grants be paid on a monthly basis until the 2007 budget is approved: Belmont Improvement Area Centre in the Square Downtown Improvement Area Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber - Health Care Recruitment Homer Watson Foundation (Payroll) House of Friendship - Chandler House of Friendship - Kingsdale Kitchener Horticultural Society Kitchener Musical Society Kitchener Public Library - January Kitchener Public Library - February Kitchener Public Library - March Kitchener Public Library - April Kitchener Waterloo Social Planning Council Kitchener Waterloo Symphony Orchestra K-W Art Gallery K-W Drum Corps Association K-W Oktoberfest Inc. 2,083.00 104,115.00 45,416.00 1 ,666.00 13,683.00 2,991.00 4,857.00 14,281.00 1,416.00 1,000,000.00 625,000.00 625,000.00 625,000.00 6,765.00 13,444.75 13,648.00 2,197.00 2,626.00 BACKGROUND: AND FURTHER THAT final budget day be rescheduled from March 19,2007 to April 16, 2007 Due to the delayed timing of budget approval in 2007, staff recommends that Council authorize the continuation of monthly payments to groups currently receiving grants, where the payment is consistent with the recommendation of the City's Grants Committee. Staff also recommends that final budget day be changed in response to Council member scheduling conflicts. REPORT: Pavment of Monthlv Grant Allocations Until Budaet Aooroval The City pays annual grants to a number of community groups and local boards on a monthly basis to assist in meeting their cash flow requirements. In view of the delayed budget approval in 2007, the absence of Council authority to pay grants until after April 16 will have a significant impact on the operations of these organizations. Staff recommends that the City continue to pay the existing 2006 monthly allocation for the first four months of 2007 to the organizations which are currently receiving funding from the City and which are recommended for a continued grant in 2007 by the Grants Committee. The list of monthly payments to community groups is as follows: Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber - Health Care Recruitment Homer Watson Foundation (Payroll) House of Friendship - Chandler House of Friendship - Kingsdale Kitchener Horticultural Society Kitchener Musical Society Kitchener Waterloo Social Planning Council Kitchener Waterloo Symphony Orchestra K-W Art Gallery K-W Drum Corps Association K-W Oktoberfest Inc. $ 1,666.00 13,683.00 2,991.00 4,857.00 14,281.00 1,416.00 6,765.00 13,444.75 13,648.00 2,197.00 2,626.00 The only group currently receiving a monthly grant which is not proposed for payment in 2007 is Theatre and Company. The Grants Committee will be recommending that the cash portion of the grant be discontinued in 2007. A number of other groups receive annual operating grants with payments typically in March and October of each year. Staff does not believe that the deferral of the first payment until after April 16, 2007 will present a hardship for these groups. The local boards recommended for continued monthly support are as follows: Belmont Improvement Area Centre in the Square Downtown Improvement Area Kitchener Public Library - January Kitchener Public Library - February Kitchener Public Library - March Kitchener Public Library - April Adiustment to Final Budaet Dav 2,083.00 104,115.00 45,416.00 1,000,000.00 625,000.00 625,000.00 625,000.00 Staff has been advised that the proposed budget day of March 19, 2007 presents scheduling conflicts for certain members of Council. Based on an informal poll of Council members, the next available date is Monday April 16, 2007. Staff will be recommending pre-approval of certain urgent capital works on January 15, 2007 to ensure that the capital program is not compromised in 2007 as a result of this delayed budget approval. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: When advancing grant payments to community groups, Staff will include a letter advising the groups that the payments are conditional upon budget approval on April 16, 2007 and that, should Council not support the grant, the amounts must be refunded to the City. In addition, the remaining payments, if any, will be adjusted after budget approval to reflect the actual amount approved for 2007. CONCLUSION: Due to the delayed budget approval in 2007, staff recommends that Council authorize the continuation of monthly payments to groups currently receiving grants, where the payment is consistent with the recommendation of the City's Grants Committee. Staff also recommends local boards receive continued funding and that final budget day be changed in response to Council member scheduling conflicts. Pauline Houston, CA General Manager of Financial Services & City Treasurer Dan Chapman, CA Director of Financial Planning & Reporting