Lane Cleroux

The budget presentation includes mayoral directions focusing on affordability and sustainability, setting a limit of 3.4% of median household income for the 2026 Budget. It covers municipal tax equations, assessment calculations, and levy calculations, detailing how the tax levy is distributed among county, education, municipal, and policing services. Key highlights include operating and capital increases, funding sources like OCIF and CCBF, and transfers to reserves. The budget also outlines salaries and wages, general operating expenses, financial information return categories, and protection services. It also includes user fee changes for waste and landfill services, recreation facilities, and building permits. The budget also covers capital and special project budgets, funding sources, and proposed projects for roads, stormwater networks, buildings, machinery and equipment, vehicles, and land improvements. Water and wastewater budgets are also discussed, including rate increase history and debentures.

The public meeting discussed the 2026 draft building fees, including a comparison of expenses for the Building Department in 2025 and 2026. It covered changes in wages, contracted services, and reserves for vehicles. The meeting also reviewed proposed building user fee changes for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and agricultural properties, as well as a building fee comparison with other municipalities and a breakdown of common permit fees. The Building Department's deficit for 2025 and 2026 was also presented.

The budget presentation includes mayoral directions regarding a summary of the draft 2026 Budget for Council and public consultation, a 5-year budget forecast addressing inflation, cost of living adjustments, and asset management plan forecasted increases. It also covers a 5-year capital funding projection, a 5-year rate-supported Water and Wastewater Operating and Capital Budget, assessment growth taxation revenues, and user fees and charges increasing in alignment with inflation. Key highlights include operating and capital increases, funding sources from OCIF and CCBF, and transfers to reserves. The budget addresses salaries and wages, general operating expenses, protection to persons and property, transportation, environmental services, recreation and cultural services, and planning and development. It also details capital and special project budgets, debentures, and estimated annual repayment limits, along with proposed capital projects for roads, stormwater network, buildings, machinery and equipment, vehicles, and land improvements.

The council meeting addressed the Municipal Modernization Program Intake 2, focusing on consultant selections for various projects. WCSC Consultants Inc. was selected to conduct the Building Services Review and the Roads Joint Operational Review. Ecovue Consulting Services Inc. was chosen for the Growth Readiness, Zoning Update, and Development Standards project. These projects aim to promote efficiency, streamline processes, maximize resources, and ensure readiness for growth in collaboration with other townships.

This Growth Readiness Action Plan for the Township of Whitewater Region outlines steps to maximize future growth opportunities while maintaining a rural quality of life by balancing sustainability and growth. The plan focuses on three core municipal responsibilities: Administrative Capacity, Infrastructure, and Economic Development. It aims to address essential municipal services, manage growth-related risks, and create an environment that promotes economic expansion and community well-being.