Legacy well funding, new grants program, maximum rents for community housing and more

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

Legacy oil and gas well funding projects

County Council is being asked to approve a payment transfer of $105,000 in additional funding from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry for emergency preparedness activities in 2025. In 2024, Oxford County received $105,000 for public education and emergency preparedness to support Ontario’s response to the risks of inactive oil and gas wells. Year 2 funds will be used by the County to fund an online crisis management software platform, used to share information and communicate among emergency management partners, and to help establish a shelter management program, which supports the set-up and management of emergency shelters in a crisis or disaster. 

PS 2024-04 – Legacy Oil and Gas Well Year 2 Funding Approval

Policy for new grants program

County Council will consider a policy for a new Oxford County grants program next council meeting. If approved, the County’s current annual community grants process will move to a more coordinated approach that awards grants to local non-profit organizations and economic development agencies that serve to support and advance the Safe and Well Oxford Plan and the Oxford County Strategic Plan. The report to Council outlines the eligibility criteria, application process, funding allocation guidelines, and monitoring and reporting for the new program, which was requested by Council during the 2024 business plan and budget process last year.

CS 2024-31– Grants Program Policy

Rent control increases for community housing

County Council is being asked to approve multi-year increases to maximum rents for Oxford County community housing of 10% in 2025, 10% in 2026, and 2.9% in 2027. Last year, the County increased maximum rents for the first time since 2012 (2.5%). The multi-year increases are being proposed now to help offset some of the rising costs to operate housing, for instance, hydro and water, and the gap in meeting these inflationary costs after more than a decade without any maximum rent increases. Oxford County community housing units are rent-geared-to-income, meaning tenants never pay more than 30% of their income on rent regardless of the maximum rent amount.

HS 2024-10: Oxford County Community Housing – Maximum Rent Increases for 2025 – 2027

Other reports and presentations

• Delegation: Residents of Ingersoll - Oxford Road 9 Water and Wastewater Services - Darryl Hall and Evan McHugh
• Public meeting and report CP 2024-285: Application for Official Plan Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision OP 23-04-1 and SB 23-01-1 1967113 Ontario Inc.
• CP 2024-286: Application for Draft Plan of Condominium and Exemption from Draft Approval CD 24-03-8 – Villages of Sally Creek Inc.
• PS 2024-03: Single Source Capital Purchase of Zoll Defibrillator and Autopulse Systems
• CS 2024-28: Fees and Charges By-Law Update
• CS 2024-29: County Road 4 Water Services Extension Project – Internal Long-term Debt Issue
• CS 2024-30: Policy Review and Amendments – Purchasing Policy; Employee Expense Policy; and Recording and Devices in Long-Term Care Policy
• PW 2024-33: Environment and Climate Change Canada Proposed “Regulations Respecting the Reduction in the Release of Methane (Waste Sector)”

Questions or comments?                                                                  

Council this Week previews the Oxford County Council meeting agenda for residents, community partners and employees. Please send your questions and comments to communications@oxfordcounty.ca