Council Highlights – June 23, 2021

25 June 2021

Council highlights provide an update of important information discussed at the previous council meeting.  Full agendas and minutes are available at tay.ca/calendar

Enhanced Law Enforcement

Over the past year Council has discussed various options that could be implemented in order to mitigate some residents’ concerns with respect to Short Term Rental Accommodations. Council determined that enhanced enforcement and education of Township By-Laws was an appropriate first step in the process.  The CAO presented a report to council that highlighted further options to consider including a possible extension to the proposed hours of service for By-Law Enforcement having them work until 2:00 a.m. on weekends, hiring an additional Municipal Law Enforcement Officer (summer student), or hiring an OPP paid duty Officer.  After a thorough discussion, Council agreed that enhanced police presence in the area should be a deterrent for unwanted behaviour and passed a motion that directed Staff to enter into a paid duty contact with the OPP for Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday of long weekends between the hours of 8:00 p.m and 2:00 a.m. as well as additional hours during the week for an upset limit of $35,000 in 2021.

2021 Annual Report

As we continue to ramp up our communication efforts, and in response to resident requests for improved communication from the Township, Council approved bulk mail out of the 32 page Annual Report that highlights just a few of the Township’s accomplishments in 2020 and what residents can look forward to in 2021, as well as detailed information on the financial health of the municipality.  The creation and distribution of the Annual Report supports the goal set out by Council in the Strategic Plan, to increase communication between the Township and residents.  The booklet is also available digitally on our website at tay.ca/budget. 

2022 Municipal Tax Rate Levy Target

Receiving direction from Council early in the budget process assists staff in preparing a draft budget that better reflects Council’s priorities.  Each year council sets a target for an overall increase to the Municipal Tax Rate Levy.  This year Council has directed staff to target a rate increase of 1% or less.  Staff will advise external partners and agencies of this target so that external requests can be formulated to conform with Council’s expectations. As it is early in the 2022 budget process actual expected rate changes will not be known until the late fall. Members of the public are reminded that pre-budget discussions including Open Public Forum for Public Input on the 2022 budget will take place Wednesday August 25, 2021 at 6:30pm.  Information about joining the online meeting will be posted at tay.ca/meetings, closer to the meeting date.

Regional Training Centre Partnership with Southwest Fire Academy

With the closure of the Ontario Fire College (OFC), the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management is granting Regional Training Centres (RTCs) to municipalities. The Township recently received a partnership proposal from Southwest Fire Academy (SFA) for the development of a locally based Regional Training Center that would be based out of their recently acquired property at 36 Hazel Street in Waubaushene.  Council supported the partnership with this local business, which will help the Township avoid increased costs of training, as the facility will be in our own backyard.

Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan

Council adopted the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan (CSWB), which identifies and lays the foundation for local social development priorities over four years (2021-2025).  Our CSWB Plan is Tay Township’s commitment to work together towards improved social outcomes for our residents. The CSWB Plan will address local needs based on local risk factors, by examining and addressing root causes rather than just the symptoms, we can improve the lives of residents in our community by changing outcomes specific to health, well-being and safety.  To review the detailed plan visit tay.ca/CSWB.

Tay Township meets for regular council meetings on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. 

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