Responsibilities
Finance serves to control all funds of the City. This involves collecting, recording and paying out funds in a manner that the laws of Ontario and the by-laws and resolutions of Council direct. Finance must maintain sufficient funds to meet the City's debt and operating expenses and provide financial information services for the Council, all other City Departments and the Public.
The Department functions through two major sections:
- Accounting and Reporting
- Taxation and Water/Wastewater Billing
Updates
Invoice Submission Requirements
Please refer to the Purchase Order Terms and Conditions and the supplementals in executed contracts to ensure the City can process payment for your invoice in a timely manner.
Effective February 1, 2025, for the City to process payment, Suppliers must reference the Purchase Order number on the face of all invoices. Failure to do so may result in payment processing delays.
Visit the Procurement Department for more information.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
Effective January 1, 2025, EFTs will continue to be processed weekly, and cheque frequency will decrease to once per month. To ensure vendors receive payment promptly, the City highly recommends all vendors sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer.
To sign up, please complete this form: Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization Form, and email it to [email protected] along with a void cheque.
Electronic Funds Transfers allow the City to deposit payments for goods and services directly into your bank account. EFT payments are secure, efficient, environmentally friendly and avoid potential delays.
Accounting and Reporting Section
- Prepare, control and publish the annual Operating and Capital budgets.
- Record and compile financial information in a comprehensive manner for the use of Council, Staff and the Public.
- Provide complete payroll services for all departments, divisions, and Council.
- Administer the financial aspects of the Ontario Home Renewal Program (OHRP). Prepare payment of accounts, debt and requirements of other levels of government (Boards of Education, Region).
- Maintain and control all trusts and reserve funds of the municipality.
- Perform internal auditing functions.
- Other related accounting functions.
Taxation and Water/Wastewater Billing Section
- Prepare, bill and collect all property taxes.
- Establish the annual water/sewer and tax rates.
- Assist the public with matters relating to assessment and taxes.
- File tax appeals pursuant to Sections 357 and 358 of the Municipal Act (e.g. demolition of building, ceasing to operate a business, gross and manifest assessment errors).
- A member of this section attends Assessment Review Board hearings, as required. Administer tax registrations for arrears of taxes. Issue tax certificates and tax information to legal firms, banks, realtors, and others.
- Maintain pre-authorized payment plans.
- Issue supplementary tax notices.
- Process Assessment Review Board, Ontario Municipal Board and tax appeals pursuant to Sections 357 and 358 of the Municipal Act.
- Receive and record all funds due to the municipality.
- Maintain tax notice files for mortgage companies.
- Process and handle other revenue-related matters.
City Hall, First Floor
4310 Queen Street
Niagara Falls, Ontario
905-356-7521
[email protected]
