January 25 Meeting Highlights

Grey County Council met on Thursday, January 25 at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers. The council meeting was immediately followed by a session of committee of the whole.

County Council

• Council accepted the January 11 committee of the whole and County Council minutes. With the approval of these minutes council passed the 2018 budget. Council  Committee
• Council accepted January 18 committee of the whole closed meeting minutes (integrity commissioner education session).  Committee
• Council accepted the minutes of the January 11 CAO Performance Evaluation Committee. Minutes

Committee of the Whole

• Grey County Council recognized paramedics Diana Graham and Rick Trombley for receiving Exemplary Service Medals last fall in Ottawa. These medals recognizes paramedics who have more than 20 years of service at a high level. Congratulations Diana and Rick.
• Dr. Lori Gray, Clinical Phycologist, will provide consulting, training, clinical oversight and other support to Grey County for PTSD Mental Health and Wellness programs. Report
• Keith Reid, Program Coordinator of Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) updated council on their programs and services.  ALUS provides land owners with an incentive to return unproductive farmland to its natural features (wetlands, grassland and forests) and improve environmental health. Presentation
• Lori Smith and Ray Robertson from Grey Ag Services updated Council on the organization’s history, programs and services. They are a central resource for the local farming community. They offer workshops and training, organize events such as Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week and more. Presentation
• Mike Ryan from the Grey County Federation of Agriculture requested Grey County consider reducing the taxes paid on farm properties. Taxes are calculated based on assessment and farmland values have increased greatly in recent years. Presentation
• Staff provided an update on the proposed Regional Skills Training, Trades and Innovation Centre at the former Sydenham School in Owen Sound. More than 100 stakeholders have been engaged and a plan for the facility has been drafted. This plan includes featuring child care within the centre to allow parents to pursue post-secondary opportunities. Report
• Grey County will ask the province to transition the Business Enterprise Centre to Grey County Economic Development. This transition will allow Grey County to provide the services on a larger regional level. The centre will continue to be funded through a grant from the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science.  Report
• Grey County will enter into the annual child care service agreement with the Province. Report
• Grey County was the subject of an HST audit by the Canada Revenue Agency. Grey County received a clean report and there is no need to reassess returns. Report
• Council supported a proposal for a condominium road for a development (Peak’s Ridge) in the Town of the Blue Mountains. Report
• Grey County will renew its insurance coverage. There is a very minimal increase for 2018. Report
• Grey County will update its conference policy to allow councillors an additional night’s accommodation for conferences more than 500 kilometres from Owen Sound. This change is relevant because this year’s Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference is in Ottawa.

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.