Council this Week: Highlights from the September 23 County Council agenda - 20260923

09/21/2026

News and Events News and Releases Council this Week

Homelessness Support Centre, budget survey, Indigenous Reconciliation Framework 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.

Update on Homelessness Support Centre

County Council receives an update next meeting on community feedback on the future Homelessness Support Centre and how that feedback will be incorporated into the design and operation of the centre when it opens in spring 2028.

Through the engagement process, community partners identified a range of challenges for those experiencing homelessness, including a lack of secure storage; barriers for specific populations (youth, seniors, those requiring health care); and limited access to basic amenities, like showers and laundry. This group cited a strength of the current system to be the strong level of cooperation and collaboration that exists among community partners.

Top concerns identified by the public included safety and neighbourhood impacts; services and operations (e.g., who is eligible, bed capacity, etc.); and cost and accountability (funding sources, decision-making, etc.).

The top concerns identified by people with lived experience with homelessness included the ability to leave and return throughout the day, 24-hour access, housing support, and showers.

The report to County Council outlines proposed actions for the concerns raised through the engagement process and identifies the tendering process as the next step to complete renovations on the facility. Ongoing updates will be posted to Speak Up, Oxford! at www.oxfordcounty.ca/hsc

HS 2026-05: Homelessness Support Centre Engagement Feedback

2027 Budget survey results

Oxford County services should be maintained at current levels into the next year, according to the results of the 2027 Budget Survey. County services most often selected for improved service levels were housing (36%), long-term care at Woodingford Lodge (31%), and child care and EarlyON (28%).

A total of 1,441 people responded to the budget survey this year, submitting more than 695 comments and suggestions. Of those who responded, 62% indicated that that they receive fair or good value for their tax dollars, while 34% said they receive poor value.

When asked to rate their top five priorities for their communities, overall, “Safe communities – Police” was ranked #1 (46%), followed by “Active living – Parks, trails and recreation” and “Affordable housing” (each at 39%), and then “Snow/ice control” (30%). The highest ranked services delivered by Oxford County included “Affordable housing” and “Snow/ice control,” then “Infrastructure – Roads, bridges and stormwater” and “Social issues – Poverty” (each at 28%), “Long-term care” (25%) and “Safe communities – Paramedic Services” (24%).

This year’s annual budget survey was a partnership among all eight of Oxford’s area municipalities. Each municipality uses its own results to inform its budget planning process. Oxford County’s 2027 Business Plan and Budget will be presented to the newly elected County Council on November 25, followed by special budget meetings of Council on December 10 and 14 and final tabling of the budget on January 13, 2027.

FS 2026-281: 2027 Budget Engagement Survey

Indigenous Reconciliation Framework

County Council is being asked to endorse the final draft version of Oxford County’s Indigenous Reconciliation Framework, one of the goals of the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. The framework is presented as a starting point to addressing Oxford’s role in the Calls to Action contained in the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Report, and to building meaningful engagement and relationship-building with Indigenous partners. The four areas of focus outlined in the framework include: 1) Knowledge and Capacity; 2) Relationships and Partnerships, 3) Practice and Systems, and 4) Community and Services.

CAO 2026-16: Indigenous Reconciliation Framework

AAA credit rating for Oxford County

Oxford County maintained its AAA rating in 2026 based on strong financial management practices and exceptional liquidity as key credit strengths. The Standard & Poor's rating affirms expectations that, over the next two years, the County will continue to demonstrate strong budgetary balances and maintain a healthy liquidity position.

FS 2026-281: Credit Rating Review - 2026

Questions or comments?

Council this Week previews the Oxford County Council meeting agenda for residents, community partners and employees. Please send your questions and comments to communications@oxfordcounty.ca