The Finance and Administration Committee provides strategic direction and is an advisory body to Regional Council in the areas of financial planning, legal advice, human resource management and information technology. In 2002 the Region managed an annual budget of almost $1.2 billion. With 40,000 new residents moving to York Region annually, the Finance and Administration Committee ensures that Council’s growth-pays-for-growth policy is adhered to. The policy ensures that growth is not a tax burden on the existing taxpayers or future residents of York Region.

In 2001 the Finance and Administration Committee set out to accomplish the following:

Goal: Provide effective fiscal management and administrative planning of York Region’s resources.
Actions:

Kept budget increase under inflation for the 5th year in a row. Municipal Performance Measurement Program (MPMP) results showed that York Region’s services and administration costs are among the lowest in Ontario. Finalized a loan agreement with Markhaven Inc. to fund major redevelopment of a not-for-profit home for the aged.

Goal: Deliver sustainable financial leadership policies to support corporate strategic initiatives and the Region’s Vision 2026.
Actions:

Adopted a comprehensive reserve strategy, including a Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund and Innovation Reserve Fund to enhance the Region’s ability to meet future challenges. Council adopted a newly developed purchasing by-law in the spring of 2002. This by-law increased delegated authority to allow departments access to goods and services required to respond on a timely basis to taxpayers needs.

Goal: Lead the search for program efficiencies and continuous improvement opportunities.
Actions:

Reduced 2003 budget expenditures by $7 million through efficiencies and program reductions. Adopted a new Investment Policy for the effective and prudent use of the Region’s investable assets to maximize investment returns, and provide additional revenues at a low risk.

The Finance and Administration committee also oversees staff administration to support Regional efforts. The Region’s 3,084 employees are responsible for delivering high calibre services to our residents. In 2002 staff served over 34,000 customers at the Regional Administrative Centre Kiosk and over 15,000 at the new South Services Centre Kiosk.

Goal: Attract and retain the best employees and motivate them to high performance. Implement a recruitment strategy designed to reduce recruitment costs and the time to fill a position and to attract and hire high calibre staff.
Actions:

Corporate turnover was reduced from 23% in 1999 to 7.72% in 2002. Reduced the number of days lost due to accidents from 753 in 2001 to 358 in 2002.

Goal: Provide continued funding to partners to enhance the Region’s environment and human services.
Actions:

Proactive hospital capital funding program for Southlake Regional Health Centre, York Central and Markham Stouffville Hospitals in the amount of $7.3 million for 2002. Provided $3.8 million to the Conservation Authorities for water improvements, land conservation, and education. Provided $3.0 million for Region’s Greenland Securement Strategies and Streetscaping initiatives.