December 9 Meeting Highlights

Grey County Council met on December 9, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chamber for the regular session of council. The meeting was immediately followed by a session of Committee of the Whole. Recordings of the meetings can be found on Grey County’s YouTube Channel.

County Council

• Council accepted the minutes of the November 25 County Council and Committee of the Whole meetings.  Council  Committee
• Council accepted the minutes of the November 23 Long-Term Care Committee of Management meeting.  Minutes
• Council accepted the minutes of the November 19 CAO Performance Evaluation Committee meeting.  Minutes
• Council received the minutes of the October 22 Board of Health Meeting. Dr. Ian Arra provided a verbal update to Council, noting the current number of cases is manageable.  He noted the Omicron variant is in Canada and we are still learning more about it.  The situation is being monitored.  Report
• Council passed by-laws, including the General Services Development Charges By-Law.  By-Law

Committee of the Whole

• Council accepted the minutes of the November 24 Health Care Funding Task Force and supported the recommendations for a policy to help guide for supports for health-related initiatives.  With the report and recommendations received, Council will now disband the task force.   Report
• Council appointed members to various committees and task forces. Report
• Grey County employs more than 1,000 employers who deliver a range of services to the public. A recent operational review of the human resources department highlighted a need for increased staff to reduce overtime in the department and to increase support being given to staff across the organization. Council supported the creation of two new positions which will be reflected in the 2022 budget.  Report
• Council received a report overviewing the 2022 budget projections. Staff estimate a 3.75% increase to the levy is needed to support service and funding enhancements and to offset several pressures. Some items highlighted in the overview are:
  
  • 1% contribution for affordable housing
  • 1.21% for asset management
  • Increase to funding for health care funding reserve
  • Inflationary increases to construction costs, fuel, insurance
  • Reduction in Provincial Offences Revenue,
  • And more

          The budget will be discussed in greater detail and debated by Council on January 28, 2022.  Report

• Council received a report on the various opportunities Grey Roots Museum and Archives intends to pursue to promote Black History in Grey County.  Report  Presentation
• Council directed staff to withdraw an appeal to a minor variance for a development in Hanover.  Report
• County Council has concerns with the Accelerated Highspeed Internet Program. Council feels like small internet service providers will not be able to participate and consequently the project may lead to monopolies which will have a negative impact on consumers. Council will ask the Ministry to engage with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario to discuss the concerns municipalities have with the project.  Report

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.