NOTE: MIRANET Municipal Finance Subcommittee: Annual Report (Feb. 3, 2010).  Delivered by: Chris Mackie, Vice-President - Cranberry Cove RA, at the MIRANET 1st Annual General Meeting.

January 13, 2010: The MIRANET Municipal Finance Subcommittee made a Deputation (click for text) at the City's Budget Committee meeting.  Click to view the overhead slides of the MIRANET Deputation.  This meeting was the conclusion of the Budget process for 2010, prior to final passage of the Budget at Council on January 20, 2010.  Previously submitted MIRANET questions about the Budget were answered in writing by Finance Director This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and included as an Attachment to the January 13, 2010 Budget Committee Agenda.

NOTE: In reference to the MIRANET recommendations regarding City staff salaries, which comprise 62.7% of the Operating Budget, Mayor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and other Councillors cited Resolution 0136-2009 which was directed at the Premier of Ontario to freeze wages and benefits for all Ontario public sector employees for a one-year period, in view of the economic recession.  The full text of the Resolution can be viewed in the Council Minutes for June 24, 2009 (pages 37-8); Council discussion on this matter is on pages 45-7 of the Minutes.

Toronto Star article (Jan. 14, 2010): "Mississauga's cash reserves set to run out within two years: But citing tough economic times for residents, city votes to scrap special 1% infrastructure levy".

Mississauga News article (Jan. 14, 2010): "Tax hike coming, reserves dwindling: Councillors veto infrastructure levy".

City of Mississauga, News Release (Jan. 20, 2010): Mississauga City Council Approves 2010 City Business Plan and Budget Preparing Today for Tomorrow.  Excerpt: "In 2010, the City’s portion of the property tax bill will increase by 2.3 per cent, resulting in an increase of 0.65 per cent on the total property tax bill.  This results in an increase of $26.32 on the average home assessed at $400,000.  In recognition of the current state of the economy Council decided not to add a 1 per cent infrastructure tax levy, as implemented in previous years."

BACKGROUND

The City's Budget Committee is comprised of all members of Mississauga Council.  Meetings are held in the Council Chamber and are open to the public.

Two designated Residents' Association representatives serve on the MIRANET Municipal Finance Subcommittee and have attended all Budget Committee meetings at the City since June 2009.  The subcommittee has been reporting back to the MIRANET Steering Committee as part of a cumulative process to understand the 2010 Business Plan and Budget parameters.

The following RA reps comprise the MIRANET Municipal Finance Subcommittee (MFS):

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Vice-President - Cranberry Cove RA (CCPCRA)
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , President - East Collegeway RA (ECRA)

A further Summary of the Budget Committee meeting will be posted shortly.

Click here for the MIRANET background article regarding the City's 2010 Business Plan and Budget process.

The City's 2010 Budget Book (click to view) is available online.