Mayor DeViet acknowledged that this is the last council meeting of 2023. Mayor DeViet also wished everyone a safe and happy holiday.
Budget 2024
At the meeting, Council approved the 2024 Municipal Budget. The 2024 budget totals $79.89 million and will result in a municipal property tax increase of 3.22%, or $83 per year for an average residential home with an assessed value of $400,000.
The budget addresses increasing costs due to inflation, maintains the current level of services and allows for much needed infrastructure construction and repair.
In Brief
- During the meeting, Council also:
- Received several financial reports: budget to actual for November 2023, tax adjustments, farm forestry exemption, and the addition of a new property tax class (for new multi-residential)
- Received the Community Services Committee Minutes for November.
- Received an update on the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund. The amount of funding that Middlesex Centre will receive in 2024 is $1,667,760; a decrease of $294,311 or 15% from 2023.
- Received information on the Canada Community Building Fund (CCBF). The CCBF provides all municipalities across the country with a permanent, stable and indexed source of infrastructure funding. Middlesex Centre’s formula-based allocation of funding under the CCBF in 2024 is $595,0989 (2023 - $571,270) an increase of $23,829 or 4.3%.
- Endorsed a new WSIB and Return to Work Policy.
- Received for information the 2023 Ontario Baseline Waste and Recycling Report Summary from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). The report provides an overview of the Ontario government's efforts to address non-hazardous solid waste.
- Approved the Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO) Policy. An ARO arises when there is a legal obligation to retire tangible capital assets. The assets that have an associated retirement obligation for Middlesex Centre included buildings, underground storage tanks, wells, and gravel pits.
- Approved a stormwater private drain connection cost-sharing program for areas of the Meadowcreek subdivision in Ilderton. Under the program, property owners can enter into an agreement with the municipality to connect their lots to the stormwater system prior to planned road reconstruction in 2024, with a 50/50 sharing of the costs.
- Met in closed session to discuss an OLT update, a Municipal Access Agreement, and an Economic Development Opportunity in Ward 4. For questions related to closed session items, please contact the Municipal Clerk.
Planning Matters
Sitting as the Committee of Adjustment and in public meeting, Council heard an application for a minor variance and an application for a consent application.
Next Council Meeting
The next regularly scheduled Middlesex Centre Council Meeting is set for Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. Please note that council meetings will be held at the Ilderton Community Centre for the duration of the municipal office renovation.
Meeting times are subject to change, so please confirm with the meeting agenda when posted.
For More Information
For more details on any of these items, see the full meeting agenda or contact the Municipal Clerk. You can view the meeting on YouTube.
Meeting highlights are prepared to give residents timely updates on council decisions. The Council Meeting Minutes are the official record of the meeting.