PERIOD REPORT
DATE: May 26, 2025 Report No. ADM-25-022
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
SUBJECT:TITLECAO - 2025 First Period Report
Body
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the CAO's office from January 1, 2025 to April 30, 2025.
The CAO's primary focus during this period was supporting Council in their deliberations and decision-making to develop the 2025-2029 Financial Plan. The initial draft budget for 2025 included a 14.04% tax rate increase over the 2024 budget. Following Council's direction, approximately $1.57M in operational and staffing-related increases were deferred, resulting in a final approved increase of 9.9%.
Council's direction during the budget process was clear: cap the budget increase at 9.9% and then do the necessary work to best understand the impacts to the Council Priorities Plan and levels of service. Most of the reductions to the 2025 budget came from deferrals rather than elimination. The 2025-2029 Financial Plan now includes projected tax increases ranging from 7.87% to 12.74%, with the highest projected tax increase to occur in 2026.
While these figures are projections and subject to detailed review each year, they do offer a clear indication of the financial pressures Council will need to navigate. Staff have committed to bringing forward information well in advance of the 2026 budget process to support Council's ability to shape the next budget proactively. This includes updates on staffing plans, capital projects, and other key cost drivers. The following bullets show the rough plan for further discussions about the drivers for future budget years:
* June/July Committees of the Whole:
o Development Services Workforce Plans and Levels of Service
o Fire Department Levels of Service and Operational Approaches (Now and Future)
o Parks and Recreation Cost Drivers, Outcomes, and Operations Management
* September/October Committees of the Whole:
o First Annual Upd...
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