Emily Cowan

This document provides an update on the progress of the County's Strategic Plan, detailing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and next steps for 2024 and 2025. The plan is structured around five key pillars: effective and open governance, investment in and protection of rural character, development of good infrastructure and a diversified economy, addressing climate change, and supporting a caring community. Key focus areas include improving customer service, enhancing workforce development, fostering resident participation in decision-making, preserving cultural heritage, developing affordable housing, promoting sustainable land use, improving infrastructure, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding tree canopy, increasing EV charging infrastructure, encouraging sustainable community action, mitigating poverty-related impacts, collaborating with youth, reducing housing waitlists, improving volunteer structures, developing an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, and attracting health human resources.

This report provides an updated 2025 Growth Analysis Study for Prince Edward County, outlining three long-term population and employment growth scenarios to 2051. The recommended High Growth Scenario projects a population of 35,900 and 13,500 jobs by 2051, supported by approximately 150 new housing units and 30 second-home dwellings annually. Key drivers include regional economic competitiveness, remote work opportunities, recreational amenities, and migration from larger urban areas. The study acknowledges challenges such as a moderating housing market and municipal servicing constraints. The plan aims to guide future population, housing, and employment trends for long-range planning, with significant growth allocated to Picton and Wellington.

This document provides an update on the implementation of the Prince Edward County Strategic Plan, which guides the municipality's direction with a focus on five strategic pillars: open and effective governance, protecting rural character, infrastructure and economic diversification, addressing climate change, and fostering a caring community. The plan outlines a vision for sustainable growth, community well-being, and long-term resilience, aiming to enhance accountability and responsiveness to resident needs through refined performance metrics and targeted strategies.

This Growth Study provides three 25-year population, housing, and employment growth scenarios for the County of Prince Edward, spanning from 2022 to 2047. It analyzes historical demographic and economic trends, forecasts future growth drivers, and allocates projected growth across different geographic areas within the County. The study serves as input for development charges and master servicing plans, with the Reference (Medium) Growth Scenario identified as the most reasonable forecast.

The meeting commenced with an acknowledgement that the County of Prince Edward is on traditional land inhabited by indigenous peoples. Discussions included the confirmation of the agenda, which involved amending the order to move a report from a previous committee meeting to an earlier section. A key segment involved presenting a Civic Award for volunteerism and passion for gardening to Arlene Wright for her work beautifying Main Street and the surrounding area. Additionally, a presentation was given regarding the provincial strategy for strengthening Public Health, focusing on the exploration of voluntary mergers of Public Health units in Southeastern Ontario, outlining desired outcomes such as critical mass, capacity, and improved alignment with system partners. The timelines for submitting a business case for merger exploration by April 2nd, 2024, and a target merger date of January 1, 2025, were noted.