General Issues Committee (Budget) - February 13, 2026

High-Level Summary

The meeting centered on budget decisions, governance of climate and infrastructure funding, and critical service staffing. Key actions included approving agenda items and minutes, receiving written delegations on the 2026 tax operating budget, and advancing several budget-related motions while deferring others to future dates. Notable outcomes included a grass-cutting budget amendment passing and a deferral of certain infrastructure projects to later years.

Five Most Important Topics Discussed

1) Employment Standards Act obligations for meeting breaks (File No. FCS 26033) - The council underscored legal duties for staff to have a 30-minute break after five hours of work, per the Employment Standards Act, with clear statements about who is exempt. Quote: “We hadn't before then been treating our staff under the law. We would let them sit here not having a 30-minute break for hour upon hour upon hour without consideration of that.” - Public comment and staff welfare considerations were foregrounded, emphasizing compliance and staff well-being during long meetings.

2) Grass Cutting budget amendments (File No. 9.3 / 2026 Tax Budget) - A revised amendment proposed adding $156,000 for grass cutting on city-owned and non-city-owned lands, reflecting service level adjustments within budget constraints. Quote: “The proposed 26 tax budget be amended to add an additional $156,000 only for grass cutting on city-owned non-city-owned lands.” - Councillors discussed the possibility of maintaining service levels while saving money, with Kasar noting: “We can actually adjust this, maintain the same service levels, but save money doing that.”

3) Transfer Station maintenance deferral and car count technology (File Nos. 512000-94001, 9.4) - The council considered deferring transfer station maintenance and related non-critical items to 2027 to prioritize core health and safety work. Quote: “The car count technology would be for all three sites...we're eager to implement it, but it can be deferred.” - This discussion balanced operational risk, cost control, and long-term planning for waste management facilities.

4) Paramedic services staffing and master plan funding - A motion to restore adherence to the paramedic services 10-year master plan (10-FTE frontline paramedics) and associated funding was discussed, including cost-sharing with the province. A key point: “We must not compromise the services that residents rely on and deserve.” The funding arrangement discussed included a midyear 10-FTE hire and provincial cost-sharing, with the aim of minimizing immediate levy impact while meeting service standards.

5) Climate action reserve funding and governance (climate reserve engagement and governance) - The council debated how climate action funding is stored and accessed, including ongoing governance around the Climate Change Reserve and its alignment with the budget process. Quotes highlight the governance and transparency goals, such as: “This is not abolish the climate change office. Full stop… It is a simple alignment of process with how we budget everything else.” - Public input has been substantial in this area, with many residents weighing in via correspondence on climate reserve matters as part of the governance discussion.

Notes on File Numbers, By-Laws, and Related References - File Nos / Projects referenced include: - File No. FCS 26033 (Employment Standards Act obligations for meeting breaks) - File No. 9.3 (Budget process / contingency reductions) - File No. 9.4 (Budget process and efficiency discussion) - 512000-94001 (Transfer Station maintenance context) - Climate change reserve references and related governance discussions (no single file number consistently cited in all sections) - Public input channels mentioned: - Written delegations on the 2026 tax operating budget were received (public input opportunity). - There are references to public input via emails and upcoming public consultations on climate and budget topics in other sections.

Opportunities for Public Input - Written delegations on the 2026 tax operating budget were accepted at this meeting. - Some sections note potential future public consultations or open intake processes (e.g., climate action funding, grass-cutting efficiency opportunities). No explicit public email addresses are provided in the transcript snippets.

Motions, Rejections, Deferrals (Titles and Outcomes) 1) Approval of Agenda - Outcome: Passed. Proceed with meeting as presented.

2) Approval of February 6th Meeting Minutes - Outcome: Passed. Minutes adopted as presented.

3) Receiving Written Delegations on the 2026 Tax Operating Budget - Outcome: Passed. Delegations received for consideration in budget discussions.

4) Grass-Cutting Budget Amendment - Title: Amending the 2026 tax budget to add $156,000 for grass cutting on city-owned and non-city-owned lands - Outcome: Passed (14-2). Next steps include documenting occurrences of unnecessary grass cutting and exploring ecological restoration opportunities for 2027.

5) Transfer Station Maintenance Deferral (to 2027) and Car Count Technology Deferral - Title: Deferral of transfer station and CRC maintenance; defer car count technology implementation to 2027 - Outcome: Deferred for future discussion/deliberation with expected analysis on health-and-safety implications and operational impacts.

6) Paramedic Services 10-Year Master Plan Funding - Title: Restoration of adherence to the paramedic services 10-year master plan funding (10-FTE) - Outcome: Passed. Next steps include funding the first year from the tax stabilization reserve with provincial cost-sharing in subsequent years.

7) Climate Change Reserve Governance / Funding Alignment - Title: Align Climate Change Office funding with standard budget process (and related governance) - Outcome: Discussion ongoing; no final decision in this section; future intake/review process to ensure alignment with climate strategy.

Councillors Present (Representative List) - Mayor (Horvath) - Chair / Budget Chair Moren Wilson - Councillors: Wang, Jackson, Bey, Clark, Crutch, Tatterson, Kasar, Spataphora (Spaphora), Francis, Nan, McMakin, McMin, Pauls - Note: Names appear across multiple sections; the meeting transcripts reference a broad set of participants (some sections use different spellings for certain names). The list above reflects the names explicitly mentioned across the provided transcripts.

Public Input Contact Points - Written delegations were accepted for the 2026 tax operating budget. - For future input, residents may watch for public consultation notices or contact their ward councillor or the City Clerk as indicated in the meeting materials.

End of Summary.