President's Message
February 2012
It's hard to believe - another year and has come and gone and we are now in our fourth year of a 5-year collective agreement.
The past few months have been interesting at the District of Mission. A new Mayor and Council was elected on November 19th, 2011 and, as promised, the newly elected Citizens for Responsible Municipal Government (CRMG) began implementing their campaign mandate almost immediately.
Council's review of the 2012 draft municipal budget is well underway. A report from the Director of Finance, dated January 10th, 2012, indicates that the 2012 general operating fund budget currently reflects an overall increase of $1,649,814 or a 6.31% property tax increase. A more recent report from the Director of Finance, dated February 13, 2012, indicates that the general operating fund budget currently reflects an overall increase of $1,606,359 or a 6.14% property tax increase.
Subsequently, on December 8th, 2011, at the Administration & Finance Committee meeting, Council directed the directors of each department, with the exception of Public Works, to prepare a revised 2012 budget based on 90% of their 2011 gross (total expenditures) budget figures. Council requested that "staff provide reductions that have the least negative impact on public service and that this budget process be a team process with staff cooperation".
Did Council really expect the directors of each department to ask their staff which employee (or employees) would be the least likely to be affected by losing their job or having their hours cut?! I think not... Council is considering these revised 2012 budget proposals at in-camera (closed to the public) meetings because as we all know, or should know, the majority of municipal departments cannot cut 10% from their budgets without it meaning significant public service cuts (which could potentially negatively impact the general public), a reduction in hours for staff, or possibly even staff losses. It is anticipated that further discussions regarding this Council direction will occur on February 20th, 2012 during an in-camera meeting.
The tentative schedule for the public presentation of the 2012 budget is the second week of March - exact date to be confirmed.
As well, a Core Services Review (CSR) Task Force has been appointed to facilitate and oversee the District of Mission's Core Services Review (CSR). Councillor Jewell (Chair), Councillor Nundal (Co-chair) and Councillor Tilbury were appointed by Council to the task force.
The primary objective of the Core Services Review (CSR) is to "evaluate and prioritize the District's services and programs, and examine the District's organizational structure, to ensure that the organization is operating as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible". A budget of up to $100,000 has been allocated for the CSR.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the CSR Consultant was approved by Council on January 23rd, 2012 and a copy of the RFP can be found on BC Bid www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca/open.dll/welcome. The District hopes to engage a consultant to undertake the CSR by the middle of March and the CSR is expected to take approximately three (3) months.
If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.
In solidarity,
Donna-Lee Lakes,
President
CUPE Local 1267