2016 budget process begins in Orillia

It may be the middle of summer, but Orillia Council is already looking ahead to its 2016 budget. Following a Budget Committee meeting on July 20, Council passed a0.9 per cent target increase for base City operations in 2016. Today’s meeting set 2016 budget targets only; the actual tax rate will be set later this year after detailed review.

“City staff presented Council with comprehensive budget targets for 2016 that address inflationary and growth pressures, while also keeping the needs of our community top of mind,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “This budget process will culminate in Council making decisions that will balance the provision of necessary services to our City, while being financially responsible to our citizens.”

Continuous improvement efforts are an important component of the City’s budget system to partially off-set the upward cost pressures, such as the capital program. As part of the budget process, staff conducts a detailed analysis of the budget and look for possible cost savings, efficiencies and fee adjustments across the corporation.

“Council has provided staff with budget targets for the 2016 budget,” said CAO Gayle Jackson. “Now we take those targets back to the individual departments and examine where we can find cost savings, efficiencies, and potential service enhancements.”

Currently, the estimated municipal tax increase for 2016 is 3.6 per cent, which includes external services, such as the library, health and social services, the OPP, and potential service enhancements and contributions to financial reserves. This is expected to be partially offset by a reduction in the education tax rate.

The following is the City’s anticipated schedule for the 2016 budget process:

• Nov. 16, 2015: Initial budget presentation to Council.
• Nov. 25, 2015: Agency reports to Council.
• Dec. 1, 2, and 3, 2015:Detailed reviewed of budget by Council.
• Dec. 7, 2015:Final approval.

The City of Orillia is a city of 31,000 people in the heart of Ontario’s Lake Country on the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. Visit our website at orillia.ca.

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Gayle Jackson
Chief Administrative Officer
705-325-7232
gjackson@orillia.ca

Jennifer Ruff
Manager of Communications
705-325-8929
705-238-9209 (cell)
jruff@orillia.ca