Auditor declares surplus for city
Some members of Charlottetown council want to see the numbers earlier
Charlottetown’s primary auditor told council on Nov. 14 that the city posted a $3.6-million surplus in the 2021-22 fiscal year.
At the monthly meeting of council, Michelle Burge of MRSB Consulting presented the annual consolidated financial statements before taking questions from members of council.
Burge said the surplus, which is a financial summary of the city’s books from March 31, 2021, to March 31, 2022, is down from the previous fiscal surplus, which was $6.3 million.
Burge listed three key factors for the drop in surplus — snow-clearing costs rose from $2.5 million to $3.4 million, wages increased by $2.4 million and more capital projects led to amortization.
“I would call it a very successful year for the City of Charlottetown,’’ Burge told council.
The financial statements reflect spending and revenue in the city corporation, its water and sewer utility, the Bell Aliant Centre, the city’s 85 per cent interest in Eastlink Centre and 15 per cent interest in the Charlottetown Area Development Corporation (CADC).
It was noted that the city was late in filing its financial statements into the province, missing the Oct. 15 deadline.
However, Donna Waddell, interim chief administrative officer, said the city wasn’t the only municipality submitting its paperwork late, saying posttropical storm Fiona slowed things down for everyone.
None of the councillors questioned the numbers, but Coun. Bob Doiron reiterated a concern he has brought up in years past – that the financial statements aren’t presented to council until moments before Burge presents her report.
“For us to get this minutes before we sit down (at the monthly meeting) … what seems to be the problem with getting the statements ahead of time?’’ Doiron said. “Why not give us a day before (the financial statements) go to the province?’’
Burge said she’s more than happy to meet ahead of time with council, provided council changes the rules enabling that to happen.
Coun. Mitchell Tweel agreed, saying council can’t possibly digest a report that is dozens of pages in length in a matter of minutes.
“I would need a few days to go through it to formulate some questions,’’ Tweel said.
Coun. Alanna Jankov then asked about putting a resolution on the floor to make such a change. Mayor Philip Brown said the next council, which will be sworn in in early December, will deal with that issue.