April 11 Meeting Highlights

Grey County Council met on Thursday, April 11 at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chamber. The council meeting was immediately followed by a session of committee of the whole. A recording of these meetings can be found on the County’s YouTube Channel.

County Council

• Alternate councillor Cathy Little (Grey Highlands) and Ryan Thompson (Georgian Bluffs) were sworn into office. Alternate members attend meetings on behalf of the municipality if the Mayor or Deputy Mayor cannot attend.
• Council accepted the minutes of the March 28 Council and Committee of the Whole meetings.  Council  Committee
• Council accepted the March 22 Board of Health minutes and the February 22 Board Report. Dr. Arra spoke to a string of opioid overdoses this spring and thanks Grey County Paramedics for their quick responses and innovation.

Report   Minutes

Committee of the Whole

• Cathy Innes and Carolyn Letourneau spoke to council of the services provided by Beaver Valley Outreach (BVO) in Thornbury. The organization has more than 300 volunteers providing services to children, seniors and families who need support. BVO asked Grey County to commit $20,000 a year for three years to help pay for their new building. Council directed staff to bring back a report about providing grants for not for profit organizations. BVO Video
• Council heard a presentation on municipal tax assessment from Peter Frise of Municipal Tax Equity Consultants Inc.  Peter outlined how the assessment-based tax system works and how changes in assessment value impact the distribution of the tax levy between classes.  
• Council passed the 2019 Tax Policy. After much discussion, council voted to reduce the farm tax ration to 24% of the residential rate, down from 25% in previous years, to reduce the municipal tax impact of rapidly rising farm values. The average farm in Grey County has seen it’s assessed value climb by about 70% over four years.   Report
• Students from the University of Guelph presented a climate change action plan for Grey County. The project was completed as part of their Masters program studies. Presentation
• Council received an amendment to an approved plan of subdivision in Georgian Bluffs. The lands are south of Cobble Beach. Report  Presentation
• Council awarded the tender for rehabilitation of a section of Grey Road 13 in Grey Highlands. The tender was awarded to Harold Sutherland Construction for $1.06 million. Report
• Council awarded the tender for the replacement of the 99-year-old Holstein Bridge. The contract was awarded to South Shore Contracting of Essex Inc. for $1.5 million. The bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic during construction.  Report

Good News and Celebrations

• Maple Fest is April 13 and 14 in Holstein.
• Council recognized National Volunteer Week and thanked the hundreds of volunteers across the County who make our area a great place to live, work and Grey.
• The Ontario Curling Association Challenge Cup was hosted in South Georgian Bay over the weekend. More than 200 curlers participated from across the Province.
• The Kemble Maple Tour is April 13 with trips to seven different maple syrup producers, a meal at the United Church and an artisan market and family fun zone at the Kemble arena.
• Next week is Grown in Grey in Desboro, an opportunity for Grade 4 and 5 students to learn about agriculture and farm safety.
• Warden Hicks attended the Bluewater District School Board Science and Technology Fair yesterday and was very impressed by the quality of the displays.

The Clerk’s Department maintains the official record for Grey County. This publication is intended to provide meeting highlights only. For official records, please refer to the meeting minutes, or contact the Clerk’s Department at 1-800-567-4739.