Council this Week: Highlights from the August 9 County Council agenda - 20230809

08/08/2023

Community Planning Office, council procedures, quarterly budget update 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.

Proposed changes to Council procedures

A number of procedure changes for County Council meetings will be discussed on August 9. These include changing the nine evening meetings held each year to daytime meetings; allowing councillors more time to make a notice of motion (items seeking a Council decision or support) ahead of an upcoming meeting; and limiting delegations (private citizens, businesses or organizations who want to present to Council) to 10 minutes, consistent with the majority of Oxford’s area municipal councils. County Council regularly reviews the by-laws that govern council meetings to respond to councillor feedback and keep meetings efficient.

CS 2023-23: Procedure By-law Amendments

Quarterly business plan and budget update

Oxford County’s most recent quarterly report shows the County is making progress on its 2023 goals and objectives and is forecasting a year-end overall surplus of $979,097. The projected surplus is in part due to investment income from higher interest rates and provincial funding for long-term care that offsets municipal funding. The report also shows the County has had greater than expected costs so far this year for WSIB claims for healthcare workers and loss of development charges revenue.

CS 2023-26: Business Plan and Budget Review – Q2 2023

Community Planning resource needs

County Council will give initial consideration to Community Planning resource needs at the next council meeting ahead of the 2024 budget planning process. In the staff report, Community Planning offers different options for how planning services could potentially be staffed and resourced through the upcoming budget in order to better meet new provincial requirements; offset the elimination of development charge fees to fund growth-related planning activities; continue to support growth while also protecting important resources; and support Council’s direction to take on a greater advocacy role and various strategic planning projects that will help to support and achieve Oxford and area municipal interests when it comes to planning and development.

PW 2023-250: Community Planning Resource Considerations

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