The workshop will be examine a sample development charge study, analysing the background assumptions and inputs into the developing the various components of the study and considering how various policies impact the quantum of the charge and the revenue to be generated. Attendees will also work on some hand-on examples to develop a familiarity with the concepts and policies.
You Will Learn How To:
- Monitor growth and the DC revenue recovery and how this relates to the annual capital program
- Understand how the DC calculation works so that funding estimates can be refined as the capital program changes or as master plan studies are received from user departments.
- Provide a basis for collecting information in between DC studies for presenting to Council or for use in subsequent DC studies.
Who Should Attend?
The workshop is designed for senior or junior staff (finance and other) who have limited experience with the Development Charges Act or with DC by-law. This presentation will be of interest primarily to municipalities of all sizes looking to expand the users’ knowledge on this important capital financing tool.
KEY TAKEAWAY: You will receive a sample DC study along with a description of the approaches to calculations, where to access background data, tips on recalculating the amount recoverable from DC’s and helpful suggestions for monitoring and maintaining the DC bylaw and charge.
About Your Speaker:
Gary Scandlan, Director, Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. has over 30 years of experience with Development Charges and the former Lot Levies. Gary has prepared in excess 300 DC studies, has negotiated numerous agreements with developing landowners on behalf of municipalities and has been before the OMB on DC matters on many occasions.
This workshop focuses on various elements of the development charge including:
The workshop will commence with case studies of two municipalities to identify the implications of growth and how these municipalities undertook negotiations to manage the overall impact on taxes, user rates and debt capacity. The session will then look at the legal side of various types of financing agreements provided by the DCA along with negotiating appeals and complaints. The session will also consider the impacts of “Places to Grow” and Intensification municipal capital needs and what role the DCA plays in financing these costs. The session will conclude with a discussion on potential reforms to the DCA and what impact that would have on the present DC bylaws. Attendees will also work on some hands-on examples to develop a familiarity with the concepts and policies discussed during the session.
You Will Learn How To:
- Understand the implications of growth on taxes, user rates and debt capacity and receive approaches for controlling/minimizing the overall impact
- Manage project emplacement in conjunction with growth and evaluate the DC revenue recovery under different financing options
- Consider the various legal agreements provided by the DCA and how to negotiate them
- Receive the most up to date information on potential changes to the Act, Survey of DC rates across Ontario
Who Should Attend?
The workshop is designed for senior staff (finance, legal, planning, engineering) who are involved with planning growth, the timing of capital construction and financing and the financial impacts of growth on taxes and users rates. This presentation will be of interest to municipalities of all sizes looking to understand the financial impacts of growth on the municipality and capital financing tools available to assist in managing those impacts.
KEY TAKEAWAY: You will receive case studies of high growth municipalities discussing the financial challenges they faced in servicing growth. You will also receive an understanding of the financial agreements available under the DCA, which work the best in different situations, how to negotiate them along with discussions on broader matters on the DCA including possible reforms to the Act.
About Your Speakers:
Gary Scandlan, Director, Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. has over 30 years of experience with Development Charges and the former Lot Levies. Gary has prepared in excess 300 DC studies, has negotiated numerous agreements with developing landowners on behalf of municipalities and has been before the OMB on DC matters on many occasions.
Municipal solicitors from the firm of Aird & Berlis will present on the various legal components of the workshop. Aird & Berlis has the largest municipal and planning law department of any firm in the country specializing in matters relating to municipal law, land use planning and development law, acting on behalf of landowners, developers, financial institutions, municipalities and various public interest groups. When representing municipalities, they cover all municipal law matters, including restructuring and municipal finance, and assist with by-law drafting and the negotiation of numerous types of agreements and documents.