The District of Sechelt finance advisory committee met Jan. 21 to review its draft terms of reference and a timeline for the upcoming budget process.
The committee is meant to provide "advisory services to council on various aspects of financial management."
The draft terms of reference showed that members shall be appointed by council for a term of one year and that meetings will be held on an "as needed basis, at least four times per calendar year, at the call of the chairperson or council."
The chairperson for the committee is Mayor John Henderson.
On Jan. 21 the committee accepted the proposed 2013 budget schedule, which showed the deadline for community groups to submit budget requests was Jan. 31.
On Feb. 13 council and senior staff will review the 2012 "actual performance compared to budget" and on Feb. 20 council will provide their strategic priorities for consideration in the 2013 budget.
The Sunshine Coast Regional District budget should be presented on Feb. 27 and then detailed budget discussions will take place until March 14.
On March 19 the finance advisory committee will see the draft operating and capital budgets, which will then be presented on March 27 at a committee of the whole meeting.
The first reading of the five-year financial plan and tax rate bylaw should then be presented at an April 17 meeting. The financial plan is expected to be adopted by May 1, with the tax rate bylaw to be passed May 8.
Committee members accepted the timeline as presented.
