From the beginning of my time on Council I have advocated for long term financial planning. In the 8 years I have been on Council our County has grown significantly in all dimensions, the regulatory and legislative framework has become progressively more complex, and public scrutiny and expectations of sound financial management have become, quite reasonably, more demanding.

The County now has a comprehensive financial management system built on a solid set of policies, a long term financial plan(LTFP) , and multi year operating and capital budgeting/forecasting. A suite of master plans that guides our activities and underpins our LTFP has been developed (and regularly updated) over the last decade – some examples include the Paris Master Servicing Plan, Asset Management Plans, Solid Waste Management Master Plan, and Recreation Facilities Master Plan.

Staff bring forward annual budgets and regular updates of actual vs plan. Council exercises due diligence over staff recommendations and agrees the annual budget at the beginning of each year and further exercises due diligence on major financial commitments, staff numbers and procurement policies throughout the year. Council meets annually with the County’s auditor, Millard’s, to understand the financial position of the County and to gain an independent view on the state of the County’s financial position.

The onset of Strong Mayors Powers (which apply to the Mayor of the County) has led to potential for changes in process. Our current mayor elected to work, as we have done for the past 8 years, in a collaborative manner with his entire Council to build the 2026 budget. The next Mayor may have a different , more executive approach. More on that in a future post.

Prior knowledge of corporate or municipal finances is not a pre-requisite for would be Councillors but it certainly helps and, as I said, complexity and scrutiny are ever increasing. Once in Council there is definitely a steep learning curve but we have excellent and deeply experienced staff in the County Finance Department who help with well prepared, well presented information packages and who always can provide answers to Councillor’s questions.

I encourage all candidates to come up to speed on our County’s financial position, read up on our LTFP and current budgets/forecasts – a bit of due diligence ahead of the election.