TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: April 22, 2024 Report No. FIN-24-010
TO: Council
FROM: Ian Irvine, Director of Financial Services
SUBJECT: 2024 Financial Plan and Tax Rates Bylaws
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council approve Council Policy FIN-23 Financial Sustainability, Revenue and Tax; and that Council give first, second and third readings to Financial Plan Bylaw, 2024, No. 3137 and Tax Rates Bylaw, 2024, No. 3138 as attached to Staff Report FIN-24-010.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Community Charter requires municipalities to adopt Financial Plan and Tax Rate Bylaws prior to May 15 each year. The annal financial plan covers a five-year period and must set out the policies and objectives for the planning period. The tax rates bylaw is required for the Township to impose property value taxes to meet its obligations.
BACKGROUND:
The Financial Plan Bylaw, Tax Rates Bylaw, and the Financial Sustainability, Revenue, Tax Policy documents have been formulated based on Council discussions and direction. During meetings held in February, March and April, Council received information about the Township's budget process and the revenue required to support their desired service levels. During these meetings, the Policies and Objectives were reviewed and the supplemental operating and capital requests were approved based on staff recommendations.
During its meeting on April 8, 2024, Council was presented with 3 tax rate scenarios for consideration. These scenarios outlined the tax revenue amount required to balance the 2024 budget as well as the impact on an average taxpayer within each property class. During this meeting, Council gave direction to proceed with a scenario which would see the generation of a 7.72% increase in the required revenue from all classes to balance the budget. The impacts of these increases are reflected in the attached bylaws.
ANALYSIS:
Adoption of the Financial Plan and Tax Rates Bylaws are required pr...
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