Ad Hoc Planning or Master Planning?

A city's OCP is a 30,000 ft view that lays out, in broad strokes, how the city is intended to grow or develop. It identifies land use and density. Master Plans are ground-level views that lay out in detail how that OCP will be executed. From water and sewer to transit, transportation, and parks, these plans prioritize action plans based on a number of factors, including needs, wants, and costs. 

The Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan is a good example. Through extensive public engagement at two stages in the 4-stage process, staff learned what was important to the residents of Abbotsford, and the final draft reflected that to a great extent. Priorities were set accordingly, but not overlooking ongoing maintenance, population growth demands, and certainly financial feasibility. Priorities were organized into "Short", "Medium", and "Long-Term" action plans.

The master plan includes a 25-year financial plan that charts a path that can deliver an affordable plan that does not become a financial burden for taxpayers. As mentioned in the plans, if at any time grant funds become available, certain projects may be advanced more quickly. It must also be noted that master plans are always open for review and revision.

In the same way, each of the other eight master plans have been designed to facilitate more certainty and stability in how the city manages the financial and physical resources for its residents.

When candidates promise that upon election, they will deliver certain capital projects or programs, you need to ask them if and how it fits in the Master Plan, and how they propose to finance it. With respect to Parks, Recreation, and Culture, they also need to be asked how they will defend their decision before the public, whose input has greatly determined the priorities as set out in the master plan. And if they are willing to do this with one of the master plans, will they also apply that to the other eight? 

Will it be Ad Hoc Planning or Master Planning?

EPITOME OF ARROGANCE

Award-Winning Department

   The City has been blessed for many years, not only with a Finance staff that is highly qualified and dedicated, but also for the national recognition given to our Finance department for its high level of reporting.

   The City's Annual Report for the years 1997 through 2012 received the Canadian Award for Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association. The award recognizes excellence in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and represents a significant accomplishment by the City of Abbotsford and its staff.

   The GFOA established the Canadian Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program (CAnFR Program) in 1986 to encourage and assist Canadian local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles, as set by the Public Sector Accounting Board of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure and then to recognize individual governments that succeed in achieving that goal.

   Reports submitted tothe CAnFR program are reviewed by selected members of the GFOA professional staff and a review committee, which comprises individuals with expertise in Canadian public-sector financial reporting and includes financial statement preparers, independent auditors, academics, and other finance professionals. 

   The fine work that this department is credited with, is overseen by the City's Chief Administrative Officer, George Murray, who is himself a Certified General Accountant. Mr. Murray came to the employ of the City via the Fraser Valley Regional District, where he served as CAO, and prior to that, School District #34, where he served for many years as Secretary-Treasurer.

   In the two years since Mr. Murray arrived at the City, he has helped orchestrate two near-zero tax increases without cutting programs or jobs, while accumulating a surplus of almost $20m., and while paying down debt by approximately $18m. Both mayoral candidates, Banman and Braun, speak highly of Mr. Murray's accomplishments, and Mr. Braun is quoted as saying that he expects that history will show that Mr. Murray was the best city manager Abbotsford ever had.

   This is all to say that I find the public statement of AbbotsfordFIRST, on their website, regarding the City’s financial status most presumptuous: 

   Respectfully, we disagree with nearly all of the points you (Councillors Loewen and MacGregor) raise. It is incredibly important that City Councillors understand it's Financial Statements.  We have brought together a team to analyze the financial position of the city including Chartered Accountant, Eric Nyvall. Years ago, he articled at the very same firm that acts as the City's auditor and ensures that the financial statements are presented according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).  We also have numerous business owners in our volunteer base and advisory board.

      see Link

   That this “team of experts”, represented by a CA and local business owners presume to have a firmer grasp and understanding of the City’s financial affairs than the City’s own highly trained and qualified team is almost laughable, if not an insult. When will this arrogance find an end?