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Highlights from the November 23 County Council agendas

County Council meetings are broadcast live at www.oxfordcounty.ca/livestream. To download agendas or view past recordings of council meetings, visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/council.

 

 

November 23, 2022 – 2:00 p.m.

2022-2026 Inaugural County Council meeting

Download the Inaugural Council meeting agenda

Swearing in of new members of County Council

Oxford County’s 2022-2026 County Council will be sworn in November 23 by The Honourable Mr. Justice Scott K. Campbell at a special inaugural meeting of Council. Council is made up of the mayors of each of Oxford’s eight local area municipalities and two additional City-County representatives from the City of Woodstock. Members of the incoming 2022-2026 County Council are:

  • Blandford-Blenheim: Mark Peterson
  • East Zorra-Tavistock: Philip Schaefer
  • Ingersoll: Brian Petrie
  • Norwich: Jim Palmer
  • South-West Oxford: David Mayberry
  • Tillsonburg: Deb Gilvesy
  • Woodstock: Jerry Acchione, Deb Tait, Bernia Wheaton
  • Zorra: Marcus Ryan

Watch the swearing in of County Council live at www.oxfordcounty.ca/livestream.

 

Warden and deputy warden elections

Council’s inaugural meeting includes election of the Warden and Deputy Warden roles. The County Warden is elected every four years by a vote of County Council. The new Council then determines the term of service and holds an election for the role of Deputy Warden, who assumes the responsibilities of the Warden in their absence.

 

 

November 23, 2022 – 7:00 p.m.

County Council meeting

Download the County Council meeting agenda

Draft 2023 Business Plan & Budget

County Council receives the Draft 2023 Business Plan and Budget on November 23, launching the County’s formal budget process that includes special budget meetings on November 30 and December 5 and an aim to present a final budget for Council approval on January 11, 2023.

The draft budget brings forward a general levy of $70.3 million (amount collected through municipal/property taxes), a 5.7% increase over 2022.

It includes an $84 million capital plan that will see ongoing investment in bridges and culverts; facilities capital improvements; multi-year construction upgrades to the Tillsonburg Wastewater Treatment Plant; capacity expansion of the Drumbo Wastewater Treatment Plant; water/wastewater servicing of various employment lands; and renewable energy projects, green fleet and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, among other projects. A proposed $53.1 million would be invested in capital reserves to fund future asset management (infrastructure) projects, such as those to support water, wastewater, facilities, bridges and culverts, roads, and storm sewers.

The proposed budget funds 13 new strategic initiatives, including:

  • new affordable housing development and related projects, like the secondary unit program and a housing repair program;
  • compactor replacement upgrade at the Oxford County Waste Management Facility;
  • expanded funding for the Tillsonburg curbside large item collection, leaf and yard waste depot, and Transfer station;
  • agricultural plastic waste diversion pilot program;
  • infection prevention and control staffing at Woodingford Lodge; and,
  • other projects that improve service and efficiency.

Council also receives the Oxford County Library budget with a proposed levy of $4.3 million. The Library budget seeks funding to extend the Ox on the Run Mobile Outreach Unit from a 4-month summer program to a year-round outreach program targeting underserved communities and vulnerable neighbourhoods. The library levy is not applied to residents of Woodstock, which maintains its own library system. See CS 2022-37 - 2023 Oxford County Library Business Plan and Budget

CS 2022-36 - 2023 Business Plans and Budget

 

Striking committee appointments

The first meeting of the new County Council term will see appointments to a striking committee that in turn directs the Councillor appointments to 15 boards and committees. In addition to the Striking Committee, this includes:

  • Boards for Southwestern Public Health Board of Health, Woodstock General Hospital Board, Social Planning Council Oxford, South Central Ontario Region (SCOR) Economic Development Board of Directors, and Oxford County Library Board;
  • Committees for Catfish Creek Conservation Authority, Grand River Conservation Authority, Long Point Region Conservation Authority, and Upper Thames River Conservation Authority; and,
  • Committees of Oxford County Council, including the Accessibility Advisory Committee, Agricultural and Planning Advisory Committee, Active Transportation Advisory Committee, Emergency Management Program Committee, and Land Division Committee.

Councillor board and committee appointments come forward at the December 14 Council meeting, while lay member (public) appointments will be considered on January 11, 2023. Recruitment for members of the public to fill current board and committee member openings has been ongoing since October and closes at midnight on November 25.

CS 2022-44 - Striking Committee Appointments

 

Other reports and presentations

  • Proclamation: November 25 - Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
  • Delegation: Cycles of Life Supportive Transitional Living
  • PW 2022-48: Proposed Amendments to Energy Reporting and Conservation and Demand Management Plans, Environmental Registry of Ontario Posting No. 019-6168
  • HS 2022:08: Canada Wide Early Learning Child Care System Update
  • HS 2022:09: Municipal Housing Facilities Agreement Amendment - 785 Southwood Way, Woodstock
  • CS 2022-38: 2023 Court Security Grant Special Tax Levy
  • CS 2022:40: Tanager Drive and Falcon Road Services Extension Project and North Street Services Extension Project – Internal Long-term Debt Issue
  • CS 2022-41: Internal Long-term Debt Issue – South-West Oxford
  • CS 2022-42: OILC Debenture Issue – Woodstock
  • CS 2022-43: OILC Debenture Issue – County

 

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