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Finance Department Overview

The Finance Department strives to provide effective, reliable financial advice, services and information to Council, staff and the public. Over $46 million is collected annually from various sources including property taxes, utility payments, service charges, and senior government grants.  The Finance Department is responsible for the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the City's Operating, Utility and Capital budgets. The focus is to administer these processes to meet the needs of the community, City Council and City departments. The Finance Department oversees the expenditure of these funds through the annual budget process.

The Finance Department is responsible for the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the City's Operating, Utility and Capital budgets. The focus is to administer these processes to meet the needs of the community, City Council and City departments.

Financial functions include the following:

Treasury Services

The City has established guidelines and procedures within the framework of the Local Government Act for the placement of City funds and for effectively managing cash flows to ensure adequate funds are available to fulfill the strategic plans and initiatives undertaken by the City.  All sources of revenue are identified and allocated to key capital projects.

The Director of Finance is responsible for the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the City's Operating, Utility and Capital budgets and administering processes to meet the needs of the community, City Council and other City departments.  It is necessary to design and implement financial controls to ensure the integrity of all financial transactions and to produce the City's financial statements and Annual Reports. 

Click here to see the City's FINANCIAL PLANS & REPORTS.

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Accounts Payable

All disbursements/payments on behalf of the City are handled through Accounts Payable.  Included are payments of invoices for goods and services received, prepayments, municipal contributions, deposits on accounts, petty cash, transfers, leases and recurring payments and refunds.

Expenditures

All City spending is governed by the Five-Year Financial Plan which must be approved by City Council and must comply with the guidelines for municipalities contained in the Local Government Act.

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Accounts Receivable

All work and services rendered by the City are billed by Accounts Receivable

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Payroll and Benefits

Payroll staff administers pay and benefits for City employees, in accordance with various collective agreements and policies which are in effect.

  • CUPE Local 118
  • IAFF Local 1667 (Fire Fighters)
  • Exempt employees
  • Elected Members of Council (indemnities)

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Procurement and Risk Management

Procurement is the responsibility of each department to secure materials, supplies, equipment and services essential to carrying on the work of all city departments.  The Finance staff support administratively and will provide guidance and administrative support to action the procurement in each department. 

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Taxes and Utilities

Staff provides information to the public regarding property assessments, property taxes, utility charges and account balances and administer:

  • Collection of property taxes, including taxation on behalf of the Provincial School Tax Authority, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional Hospital District, BC Assessment, Municipal Finance Authority of BC, and the Vancouver Island Regional Library service;
  • Annual residential utility (water, sewer, garbage/recycling) charges and metered utility billings;
  • Grants-in-lieu of taxes - The City receives approximately $475,000 annually in the form of grants in lieu of taxes from various government owned (therefore tax exempt) properties within the City.  The federal and provincial governments and their agencies include Dept. of Fisheries, Indian and Northern Affairs, Port Alberni Port Authority, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, BC Buildings Corporation, Provincial Rental Housing Corporation, BC Hydro, and the University of Victoria;
  • Process the Provincial homeowner grants (HOG) once the approval is sent from the Province;
  • Payment of taxes collected for other taxing authorities.
  • Process the Provincial Tax Deferment Program in our system

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Investments

The City has established guidelines and procedures within the framework of the Local Government Act for the placement of City funds. Council has endorsed an investment policy which identifies the advancement of fiscal strategies, policies and practices related to investments which enhance the professional management of the City's financial resources. The City enjoys a competitive rate of return on investments when compared to other municipal and industry benchmarks.

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For more information, please contact:

Andrew McGifford

Director of Finance

City Hall, 4850 Argyle Street
Port Alberni BC V9Y 1V8

Telephone

250-723-2146