Gary Johnston

The Council meeting addressed several key items including delegations concerning the Amalgamation of Conservation Authorities by the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority and the Development Charges Background Study presented by Watson & Associates Economists Limited. Under the consent agenda, the Council received several items for information and directed staff to send letters of support for resolutions regarding the consolidation of Conservation Authorities, adding 'Swim to Survive' to the Ontario Curriculum, and the 'Elect Respect Campaign'. Staff reports covered the public and council results summaries for the 2026 Budget Survey, which will inform the 2026 municipal budget development. Additionally, Council received a report on the Currie Drain and Kerekes Drain Improvement under Section 78 of the Drainage Act and appointed an engineering firm for the work. Correspondence regarding 'A Call to Action: Standing Together for Justice and the Protection of Canada's Children' was received for information. Finally, Council gave third and final reading to by-law 2025/089 and adopted by-laws 2025/109 through 2025/112, which included appointments for an Interim Clerk and Interim Deputy Clerk, and confirmed the proceedings of the December 17, 2025 Council meeting.

The special council meeting was convened early in the morning specifically for budget discussions and deliberations. Prior to the substantive discussions, the Council delivered a land acknowledgement recognizing the traditional territory of several First Nations people, including the Chippewas of the Thames, Oneida Nation of the Thames, Munsee Delaware Nation, and Delaware Nation of Moravian Town, conveying respect to indigenous neighbors. Following the acknowledgement, the Council moved to temporarily adjourn the meeting to permit a closed session for discussing trade secrets or scientific, technical, commercial, or financial information belonging to the municipality that holds monetary value.

The special council meeting served as the inaugural discussion day for the budget. Key discussions centered on reviewing the 2024 financial statements, which highlighted areas for modernization in accounting practices, policies, and processes. Specific focus was placed on financial stability, confirming the municipality remains financially stable and can meet all obligations. The treasurer detailed financial positions, noting a bank overdraft at the end of 2024, contrasted with a positive bank balance in 2023, which was attributed to capital projects like the arena, daycare, and library development, funded in part by consuming cash reserves and utilizing an internal debt program. Discussions also covered the $4.9 million landfill closure liability, deferred revenue from grants, and accrued liabilities to vendors. Furthermore, two draft policies were presented for council review and approval, aimed at guiding future financial management decisions.

The Council meeting included a land acknowledgement recognizing the traditional territory of First Nations people. Key agenda items involved presentations and discussions regarding significant provincial legislative changes, specifically Bill 68 and Bill 60, which impact conservation authorities and development charges, respectively. The Conservation Authority representative expressed concerns about the proposed amalgamation into large regional authorities, emphasizing the potential loss of local decision-making power, increased costs to municipalities, and risks to donated lands. The staff presentation on Development Charges detailed recalculations necessitated by amendments to the Development Charge Act (Bill 60), particularly concerning the exclusion of historical land costs and stricter local service policy requirements, outlining a timeline for bylaw adoption in the new year. Council expressed support for the Conservation Authority's concerns regarding amalgamation and the need to maintain local service delivery.

The special council meeting included a closed session to discuss a trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial or financial information that belongs to the municipality or local board and has monetary value or potential monetary value. Council adopted by-law 2025/108 to confirm the proceedings of the meeting.