Council this Week: Highlights from the November 8 County Council agenda - 20231108

2024 Business plans and budget, internal DEI action plan, 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.

Please note a name change for Councillor Bernia Martin (City-County), formerly Bernia Wheaton, effective October 20, 2023. Councillor Martin can be reached at her updated email address: bmartin@cityofwoodstock.ca. The full listing and contact information for Oxford County Council members is in the Council section of the website.

2024 Business Plan and Budget

Oxford County Council receives the Draft 2024 Business Plan and Budget next week ahead of the special budget meetings on November 15 and 29. The proposed budget includes 17 new initiatives, $104.1 million in capital spending, and $59.4 million in reserve contributions for asset management (municipal infrastructure). The budget also includes an estimated $3.3 million in funding for Southwestern Public Health and $1.7 million for local Conservation Authorities. Overall, the draft budget proposes $81.6 million for the County share of municipal property taxes next year, a 15.3% increase over 2023.

The Oxford County Library Business Plan and Budget is also released to Council at the November 8 County Council meeting. In 2024, the Library will focus on its membership engagement strategy and review its technology services and use of facilities’ space. The Library is proposing a levy (County share of municipal taxes) of $5.2 million.

CS 2023-39: 2024 Business Plans and Budget

CS 2023-40: 2024 Oxford County Library Business Plan and Budget

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion action plan for employees

Oxford County presents its first Internal DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Action Plan next Council meeting, outlining the strategic actions the County will take to ensure a diverse workforce, an inclusive workplace, increased education and awareness of DEI, and inclusive and accessible internal communications. The plan reflects best practices for organizations as well as principles of the County’s broader DEI community strategy. The internal plan aims to positively impact the County’s ability to attract, retain, and engage staff, and is a key milestone identified in the recently adopted 2023-2026 Strategic Plan.

HR 2023-08: Internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Action Plan 2024-2025

Other reports and presentations

• Public meeting and Report CP 2023-368: Application for Official Plan Amendment OP 23-09-8 – City of Woodstock
• HS 2023-18: Oxford County Community Housing – Maximum Rent Increase for 2024 (Deferred from October 25 agenda)
• PW 2023-43: Oxford Road 19 Road Reconstruction Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study (Deferred from October 25 agenda)
• CS 2023-36: Reserves Year End Allocations and Policy Review (Deferred from October 25 agenda)
• CS 2023-37: Business Plan and Budget Review – 3rd Quarter (Deferred from October 25 agenda)
• CS 2023-41: 2024 Court Security Grant Special Tax Levy

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