Under Ontario's return to Modified Step Two effective January 5, the January 12 and January 26 County Council meetings will be held virtually. Council meetings are broadcast live online at www.oxfordcounty.ca/livestream. Agenda packages and past recordings of Council meetings can be downloaded at www.oxfordcounty.ca/council.

Budget by-law

The by-law to adopt Oxford County’s 2022 Budget is before Council on January 12. If approved, the budget brings forward a general levy of $66.6 million to be collected as part of local municipal taxes. Highlights include:

• a $64.5 million capital plan that invests in information technology, equipment, fleet vehicles, and infrastructure;
• provincial funding to support in-home services delivered through a new Community Paramedicine Program and personal care at Woodingford Lodge;
• $439,500 in community grants to help fund economic development, physician recruitment, inter-community bus transit, social planning, arts and culture, and more; and,
• an additional $1.5 million in funding from reserves to address the housing crisis.

The final levy and impact on average residential taxes won’t be known until after Council considers notices of motion from the December 8 meeting. If carried, these motions will adjust budget items for staffing, facilities projects, and community grants.

Affordable Home Ownership Program update

County Council will consider an update to the County’s Affordable Home Ownership Program on January 12. Proposed changes include increasing both the qualifying household income limit and the maximum forgivable loan amount to better reflect current pricing in the housing market. Right now, available funds for the program have the potential to help up to 27 households enter the housing market, with those in the County’s existing social housing units getting a first opportunity to apply.

CAO 2022-01: Home Ownership Program Update

Other reports and presentations

• CP 2021-01 – Report and public meeting: Application for Official Plan Amendment & Draft Plan of Subdivision Approval OP 20-03-1 & SB20-01-1 – Cress-Ridge Farms Ltd.
• PW 2021-01 – Report and public meeting: Declaration of Surplus Land – Oxford Road 22
• CP 2022-05: Application for Draft Plan of Condominium and Exemption from Draft Plan Approval CD 21-03-7 – 2563557 Ontario Inc.
• PW 2022-02: Construction Contract Award – Ingersoll Water Tower Rehabilitation
• CS 2022-01: 2022 Interim Levy By-law

Questions or comments?                                                                   

Council this Week highlights Council activities for the public, employees and community partners. Please send your questions and comments to communications@oxfordcounty.ca