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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIN 19-23 Report to Executive Committee Report Number: FIN 19-23 Date: December 4, 2022 From: Stan Karwowski Director, Finance & Treasurer Subject: 2022 Building Permit Stabilization Reserve Fund - File: F-4910-001 Recommendation: It is recommended that Report FIN 19-23 from the Director, Finance & Treasurer regarding the 2022 Building Permit Stabilization Reserve Fund be received for information. Executive Summary: Section 7(4) of the Building Code Act (the “Act”) requires the City to prepare an annual report of building permit and inspection fees and related administrative and enforcement costs. This report fulfills the requirements of Section 7(4) of the Act. This report also contains information about the City’s Building Permit Stabilization Reserve Fund. Financial Implications: This report contains information pertaining to the financial status of the Building Permit Stabilization Reserve Fund as at December 31, 20 21. Discussion: In December 2005, Council approved Report PD 41 -05, which enacted a new building permit process and fees under the Act. The Act requires permit fees to be accounted for, and not used to subsidize City functions other than administration and enforcement of the Act and the Ontario Building Code. Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. was retained to undertake a comprehensive analysis of all Planning & Development costs, fees and legislative requirements and to develop an Activity Based Costing (ABC) model for the City. Using this information, Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. recommended an increase in building permit fees to provide for cost recovery. The purpose of the Building Permit Stabilization Reserve Fund is to provide a source of funds for current operating budget costs during an economic downturn to offset lower building permit revenues. Without such a reserve fund, reduced growth and permit vo lumes during a downturn could result in severe budgetary pressures which could impair the City’s ability to enforce the Act and the Ontario Building Code. The Act requires that an annual report be prepared that includes the total Building Permit fees collected in the previous 12-month period and a summary of directly and indirectly related administrative costs. FIN 19-23 December 4, 2023 Subject: 2022 Building Permit Stabilization Reserve Fund Page 2 For many years, the City experienced a relatively low rate of development since the Building Permit Stabilization Reserve Fund was established in 2006. As a result, the accumulated shortfall for this reserve fund as of December 31, 2021, was $2.48 million. Due to an excess of building permit revenues over costs in 2022, the accumulated shortfall can be reduced by the excess of revenues in the amount of $469,184, translating into a revised accumulated deficit figure of $2.01 million for the Building Permit Stabilization Reserve Fund. Annual Report – Building Permit Fees for the year ended December 31, 2022 Building Permit Revenue $3,731,940 Costs: Direct Costs $ (2,788,680) Indirect Costs (474,076) Capital Costs (3,262,756) Excess (Shortfall) Revenue Over Costs $ 469,184 Building Permit Stabilization Reserve Fund Opening Balance, January 1, 2021 $ - 2022 Contribution 469,184 Transfer to the Rate Stabilization Reserve (469,184) Closing Balance, December 31, 2022 $ - Transfers to the Rate Stabilization Reserve For the majority of municipalities, building permit revenues are sufficient to cover direct and indirect operating costs. In addition, many municipalities have excess funds that are transferred to their Building Permit Stabilization Reserve Fund and these funds are used to cover any future operating shortfall in their Building Services section. As stated earlier, up until 2017, Pickering had historically experienced a low level of construction activity that translated into lower building permit revenues. For most municipalities, the budgeted and actual cost of their Building Services section and/or department is fully funded from building permit revenues. Historically, the Building Services section required a financial subsidy from the Pickering taxpayer to fund their operations. As of December 31, 2021, the accumulated financial subsidy or deficit was $2.48 million. From a financial perspective, this subsidy was funded from the Rate Stabilization Reserve. The City’s financing strategy is to reduce this deficit (subsidy) over time by transferring the Building Services operating surpluses to the Rate Stabilization Reserve. In 2022, Building Services had an op erating surplus of $469,184 which was transferred from the Building Permit Stabilization Reserve Fund to the Rate Stabilization Reserve which further reduced the deficit. FIN 19-23 December 4, 2023 Subject: 2022 Building Permit Stabilization Reserve Fund Page 3 Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By: Original Signed By: Original Signed By: James Halsall Stan Karwowski Division Head, Finance Director, Finance & Treasurer Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council Original Signed By: Marisa Carpino, M.A. Chief Administrative Officer