Consolidated Levy Statement of Operations - Quarter 2 Financial Update (2017) (in thousands of dollars)

Variance Analysis (in thousands of dollars)

Consolidated Levy is year-to-date surplus of $6,764 before indirect allocations and forecasted deficit before indirect allocations of $2,239. The following factors have contributed to these variances:

Compensation

The unfavourable year-to-date and forecasted variance of $988 and $5,132 is a result of NRPS implementation of the new collective agreements and higher than expected number of retirements. This is offset by savings resulting from estimated lower than anticipated usage of health benefits and not filling vacancies or filling vacancies at rates less than budgeted across the corporation.

Administration

The favourable year-to-date variance of $2,280 is primarily due to timing of corporate initiative part due to staff vacancies. The unfavourable forecasted variance $2,608 relates primarily to the estimated cost of legal and insured claims made against the region.

Community Assistance

The favourable year-to-date and forecasted variance of $10,429 and 11,255 relates to the Ontario Works caseloads and changing demands for allowances and benefits based on case mix (i.e. single vs. families, with singles eligible for less financial support) ($5,267); as well as the timing of children service provider ($2,652) and homelessness contract ($782) payments. This favourable variance is offset by the unfavourable variance in Federal & Provincial Grants.

Partnership, Rebate, Exemption

The favourable year-to-date and forecasted variance of $5,220 and $470 is primarily due to timing difference associated with the economic promotion grant to the city of Welland for the General Electric (GE) plant intersection upgrades on Hwy 140, unspent grants for Waterfront Investment Program and timing of payments on "Smarter Niagara Incentive Program" grants.

Federal & Provincial Grants

The unfavourable year-to-date and forecasted variance of $10,215 and $11,316 is a result of reduced SAEO funding due to reduced payment of benefits, as well as the timing of Children's Services and Homelessness funding. The forecasted unfavourable variance is a primarily a result of reduced SAEO funding due to forecasted reduction in expenditures incurred.

By-Law Charges & Sales

The favourable year-to-date and forecasted variance of $5 and $665 is primarily driven by higher than estimated parent fee contributions for Children's Services.

Other Revenue

The favourable year-to-date and forecasted variance of $2,721 and $5,365 is related primarily to the sale of properties for $3,632K, with net proceeds transferred to the Capital Levy reserve. The forecasted surplus is to anticipate sale of Hainer Street properties, net proceeds to be transferred to the Burgoyne Bridge Project per CSD 27-2017 and investment income being higher than budget.

Transfer to Funds

The unfavourable year-to-date and forecasted variance of $6,743 and $3,713 is mainly a result of $1,513K for the change in classification of Sinking Fund investment and the $3,442 property sale proceeds transferred to the Capital Levy reserve and the Burgoyne Bridge capital project. Forecasted variance is offset by NRPS use of reserves to help fund their deficit.