Financial Services Division
The Financial Services Division is responsible for all financial matters of The Corporation of the County of Lambton. Specific Departments include:
- Financial Administration Services
- Divisional Support Services
- Court Services
- Procurement and Project Management
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION SERVICES
The Financial Administration Services Department keeps the Corporation's financial records and performs its banking activities. It is the primary liaison with the Corporation's external auditors as well as federal and provincial tax authorities, and is the lead user Department of the Corporation's general ledger, accounts payable, cash receipting and payroll computer systems.
The Department supplies accounting expertise and services to other public agencies such as the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, the area Board responsible for OPP police services and Tourism Sarnia-Lambton.
The Financial Administration Services Department is also responsible for the Corporation's payroll. Payroll staff coordinate and process direct deposits for 1,250 employees on a bi-weekly basis, the remittance of amounts withheld and the issuance of Records of Employment and T4s among other activities.
To see the Corporation's Financial Statements, click here.
DIVISIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES
The Divisional Support Services Department monitors, plans and administers the internal audit function to access risk and appropriateness of system, financial and management control processes. Staff provide financial expertise and advice to other Departmental Managers in the areas of budget preparation, monitoring expenditures, revenues and ensuring proper controls are followed consistently and in accordance with policies, procedures and service level commitments. The Department also assists with the preparation and filing of the specialized, detailed compliance reporting that Provincially or Federally funded programs increasingly require.
In addition to these activities, the Department has primary responsibility for the maintenance of the Corporation's Tangible Capital Asset records and software. Staff ensure that assets acquired or under construction but not yet in service, are properly recorded, all appropriate costs are recorded, disposal of assets that are obsolete or no longer being used are removed/costed and annual amortization properly calculated for expensing. They also provide specialized reporting as required.
The Corporation's Revenue Development Officer, who is responsible for researching and facilitating funding, partnerships and other resource-based opportunities on behalf of the Corporation and local municipalities, is part of this Department.
PROCUREMENT AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The County of Lambton purchases a significant amount of goods and services in its daily operations. The Corporation governs expenditures utilizing a Council approved Purchasing Policy. This policy dictates the method to be employed when purchasing any item or service, dependent upon the commodity and the dollar value of the order.
The Corporation endeavours to ensure that all qualified vendors have the opportunity to bid on goods and services required. The Purchasing Policy assures that all vendors are treated in a fair and equitable manner. Staff must also adhere to a code of ethics in all purchase related decisions.
County issued Requests for Quotation, Tender or Proposal are advertised in local, regional or national newspapers (depending upon the dollar value of the requirement). In addition to having primary responsibility for the oversight of the Corporation's purchasing activities, the Department also provides other Departments and Divisions with project management and oversight expertise. Staff have extensive experience with the day-to-day supervision of both large, complex construction projects and smaller more detailed jobs. They understand the reality of construction, keep informed of new technologies and techniques and products, to be in a position to help ensure that maximum benefit at minimum cost can be reached.
The Procurement and Project Management Department also oversees facilities planning including, but not limited to, construction, renovations, additions and maintenance of all buildings owned by the County of Lambton.
Click here for more information regarding the Department's functions or contact:
Howard Lucas
Manager, Procurement and Projects
Telephone: 519 845-5401
Fax: 519 845-0818
Toll Free: 1-866-324-6912
e-mail: howard.lucas@county-lambton.on.ca
COURT SERVICES
The Province of Ontario transferred the administration and prosecution responsibility for the Provincial Offences Act (POA) to the County of Lambton on November 29, 1999.
The Court Services Department is responsible for setting trials, recording court proceedings, generating transcripts and receiving fine payments resulting from charges laid by the various enforcement agencies operating within the County. Prosecutions are conducted by the Legal Services/Clerk's Department.
Provincial Offences are quasi-criminal offences and include fines issued for offences under the Highway Traffic Act, Liquor License Act, Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, various Municipal By-Laws and other Provincial and Federal Statutes. Individuals who fail to submit payment could have their driver's license suspended, their wages garnisheed or have a lien registered against their property.
Click here for more information about Court Services, including frequently asked questions, and online payments.
POA COURT LOCATION
Lambton Shared Services Centre
Second Floor
Bayside Centre
150 N. Christina Street
Suite Y01A
Sarnia, ON N7T 7K2
Telephone: 519 344-8880
Fax: 519 344-9379
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (excluding holidays).
