Annual Report 2000 - Halifax Regional Municipality

Major Initiatives
Multi-Year Financial Strategy/Business Planning
T
he Halifax Regional
Municipality provides a
broad range of programs
and services of benefit to
its citizens. Since
amalgamation, the
municipality has faced
external and internal
challenges that placed
significant pressures on
financial resources.
The 2000/2001 Budget
represents significant
improvement in the
municipality’s financial
health and has earned the
municipality a letter of
commendation from the
Metropolitan Halifax
Chamber of Commerce.
The improvements are
such that tax rates are 1%
lower than in 1998/99;
there is no forecast deficit;
reserves are at $74.3
million dollars; and the
debt is being gradually
reduced.
The responsibility for
this success stems, in large
part, from the Multi-Year
Financial Strategy. In May,
1998 a Multi-Year Financial
Strategy committee was
formed consisting of
municipal staff and
community members.
Principles of financial
management were adopted
by Council in December
1998 which provided a
framework for business
planning, operational
effectiveness and discipline
and restraint in spending
and funding. A Reserves
Policy was adopted by
Council, along with a
Capital Spending Policy
and Capital Debt Policy.
In line with the Multi-
Year Financial Strategy, a
phased-in business
planning process
was introduced in
1999, focused on
doing the right
things right.
As of March 2000, over
80 business plans were
drafted, forming the basis
for the development of the
2000/2001 budget. The
2000/01 budget was based
primarily on service levels
provided in the previous
year and new initiatives
that focus on Council’s
strategic directions and
was on “getting the right
fit” for the many business -
and service units.
Improving customer
service was a priority.
Alignment 2000 took into
consideration people,
structure and processes,
resulting in many functions
being streamlined and
others being bundled into
The
context for the
business planning process
was set by Council in the
establishment of key
business strategies,
expressed in terms of
outcome statements and
strategic directions. The
implementation strategies
in support of these business
strategies were included in
the business plans.
business strategies, along
with initiatives that
support the Multi-Year
Financial Strategy.
With the Multi-Year
Financial Strategy and
Business Planning
Processes in place, a review
of service delivery and the
ability to improve on that
service delivery was
undertaken. The emphasis
new business or service
units. This process will
continue until the “right fit”
is achieved.
The commitment and
dedication of Council and
staff during the past year
has ensured that the
municipality’s financial
capacity has improved,
and will continue to
stabilize and strengthen.
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