Central Frontenac ‘In A Good Position’ Financially, Says Treasurer

Craig Bakay | Nov 01, 2023

Overall, financially, Central Frontenac is “in a good position” Treasurer Michael McGovern told Council at its regular meeting Oct. 24 in Sharbot Lake.

McGovern was presenting his annual third quarter budget to actuals variance report.

“In general, I don’t have any concerns,” McGovern said. “There’s always Arden Road and Westport Road which would have come to Council but Hydro’s the biggest thing right now.

“Overall, we have 37.8 per cent left to spend and there’s 25 per cent left in the year.

“I think we’re in a favourable position.”

He said that all departments are affected by timing of operational and capital purchases and the transfer to/from reserves yearly entry has not been completed yet. Money from reserves has been transferred, as per the approved budget, to offset capital purchases to date.

In terms of revenues (percentages to be collected), the overall average with Operating and Capital is at 24 per cent compared with 31 per cent for 2022. Operations is at 17 per cent compared to 14 per cent in 2022.

Corporate services is 60 per cent over budget as bank interest has been favourable ($207,000 more than budgeted).

Animal control revenue is 4 per cent yet to be collected, which is comparable to 2022.

Civic address is at 35 per cent yet to be collected, which is $275,000 lover than this time in 2022.

Fire services at 34 per cent is comparable to 2022. MTO Hwy 7 revenue is $1,500 high than 2022 but this is only received if accidents occur and much of this is seasonal.

Building is $32,000 higher than 2022, facilities is $2,500 higher than 2022 before the Covid impact and cemeteries are $2,500 higher.

Roads are 64 per cent over budget including the sale of surplus assets for $53,000 due to the general timing of grants, general revenue and aggregate revenue.

Garbage bag sales are up by $37,000 over 2022 and tipping fees are up $8,000 over 2022, with an overall increase of about 20 per cent over 2018-2021.

Planning fees are up 63 per cent over budget with $70,000 in road closings versus $16,500 budgeted.

“Cash flow is meeting expenditures,” he said.

“We’ve still got some months to go,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

Sharbot Lake Rink

CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn reported that things are going well with the roof at the Sharbot Lake rink. A plan to include refrigeration units has been eliminated. She said there has been $109,000 donated to the project as well as advertising revenue from board sales.

As far as the Tichborne rink goes, a decision to rezone a portion of the land the rink sits on was deferred to allow for public comment.

Fewer Council Meetings

Council received for information a report from CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn on reducing the number of Council meetings to one from the current two meetings per month.

“Staffing is one component which we will need to review at some point soon,” she said. “In the meantime, I considered our options to help handle the workload.

“Currently, with two meetings a month, the clerk’s department is constantly working on Council packages (which entails creating the package, reviewing reports every two weeks, attending meetings and then executing Council directions and completing the administrative tasks to properly record and confirm Council proceedings.

“One less Council meeting per month would allow the Clerk’s department to move from a reactive position to a proactive position (once the backlog of files is caught up) and allow the managers more time to complete research on items Council would like brought back in a timelier fashion.”

Frontenac Heritage Festival

Following a presentation from Rob Moore, Council agreed to support funding for the 2024 Frontenac Heritage Festival up to $2,000.

Photos With Santa

Mayor Frances Smith announced a photo opportunity with Santa Claus at Central Frontenac Fire Station #3 at 3 p.m. This will be followed by an evening parade which is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

Property Standards

Council voted to defer a motion aimed at remediating a property at 30901 Hwy 7 until such time as the Township puts in place an Administrative Monetary Penalties procedure. There have been complaints about the property, which contains a number of RVs, trailers, scrap metal, trucks and other vehicles dating back to 2017.