Auditors Give Central Frontenac A Clean Bill Of Health

Craig Bakay | May 31, 2023

Central Frontenac’s financial statements are in good order, auditor Cara Chesney of MNP told Council at its regular meeting May 23 in Sharbot Lake.

“We have nothing to bring to your attention in terms of believing in terms of believing the financial statements are misstated,” Chesney said. “There were no difficulties experienced during the course (of the audit) and no disagreements or difficulties with management.

“We also do some testing and procedures around tax revenues to ensure nobody is getting any preferred rates — and nobody’s getting a deal.”

She said the Township has added some surplus (equity) during the year ($48,242,065 in 2022 as opposed to $46,477,030 in 2021).

“And this is a good thing,” she said.

She said total reserves were $5,573,433 and total reserve funds were $344,647.

Compared to other municipalities of similar sizes and situations, she said “you are definitely comparable in terms of asset life and I think you’re slightly above average in terms of surplus generation,” she said. “The costs are really well controlled here versus some other places.”

She said that some municipalities have had a lot more development and as such they’ve had to add a lot more assets.

“They’re getting a lot more in property taxes but with booming growth, their revenues aren’t keeping up with expenses as they’re having to put in a lot more infrastructure.

“So, I’d say you’re above average in terms of surplus and reserves.”

Dep. Mayor Phillip Smith observed that he thought the use of sole sourcing for acquisition of goods and services was increasing of late and asked if other municipalities were doing the same.

“A lot of municipalities are using sole sourcing more but it’s just that there isn’t the same supply as there once was,” Chesney said. “For the size of the municipality here, I think the controls are very good.”

Speed limit bylaw defered

A bylaw to affect the speed limit change on a section of Arden Road was deferred to the June 13 meeting due to additional information being received which will require a staff report/recommendation to come forward prior to considering the bylaw.

Report on parking at 38 and Elzabeth St. deferred

The report outlining options regarding the parking obstruction on Road 38 was also deferred to the June 13 meeting so that the Manager of Public Works can assist the Manager of Emergency Services in preparing a report and be present at the meeting to answer questions of Council.

Firefighter Radio Plan Rebuffed

A proposal to immediately replace an aging radio-communications system on the grounds of firefighter safety by taking $414,9376 out of reserves was soundly defeated.

Coun. Nicki Gowdy argued strenuously that it just wasn’t fiscally responsible.

“You (addressing Fire Chief Chris McDonough) identified this problem in January but you didn’t bring it to budget,” she said. “We’re getting by with the system we have but I would be happy to discuss it again at budget time in the fall.

“We only have $3 million in that reserve and taking close to half a million out of it, we’re not being fiscally responsible as a Council.

“If any emergency came along, we’re at our borrowing limit and we just don’t have the money,”

There is $78,000 currently slated in the budget for communication and McDonough said he would use that to purchase radios and hope that further derecho funding comes through to replace an antenna servicing the Parham area.

6pm meetings

Despite potentially increased costs of $30,146, Council voted to change the time of regular meetings to 6 p.m. from 4 p.m., beginning with the June 13 meeting.

In a report to Council, CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn argued for the status quo, noting that meetings were once held in the evenings but moved to 4 p.m. so that department managers could attend to give reports and answer questions. She said that there will be scheduling issues if managers have to start their day later and will also affect their life/work balance for those with young families who won’t have as much family time in the evenings.

It will also affect third parties such as municipal consultants, contract planning staff and delegations sending paid staff to meetings.

Another option that was considered was to go back to in-person meetings only, which would limit the overtime costs associated with the hybrid/electronic component but the report said staff was against it because not only would it disenfranchise the seasonal/non-local taxpayers, but it would also mean less exposure for the public. Council meetings average 66 views on YouTube (44 members of the public at large, and 2 Frontenac News staff)