Back to SearchCouncil starts work on town budget for year ahead
Mayor Nina Bifolchi provided an update on the 2022 draft budget process.
She noted council began working on the budget at the Oct. 7 Committee of the Whole meeting.
At this early stage, the proposed tax rate increase is 2.15 percent. For a home assessed at $450,000, this translates to a $56 increase over 2021 or an extra $4.67 each month. However, there is still much work to do.
As things stand today, the total operating budget is $44-million, compared to $42-million in 2021. The operating budget covers the day-to-day expenses required to deliver services to residents.
The capital budget is $56-million, compared to $54-million in 2021. The capital budget supports long-term investments such as infrastructure and facilities.
Investments planned for next year include road work, physician recruitment, a new aerial truck for the fire department, policing, special events, new playground equipment, park redevelopment, library services, drainage projects, planning studies that support community development, and public works studies that support infrastructure needs.
The largest project for the year ahead is the twin-pad arena and library, which is supported through long-term financing, reserves, and fundraising.
Get further details from Budget Update 1.
Mayor Bifolchi noted work on the first draft of the budget continued on Oct. 21 when department heads presented highlights of their individual department budgets and fielded questions from members of council.
See Budget Update 2 to learn more.
Staff are now working the second draft of the budget.
Council’s next budget meeting is Nov. 10.
Conservation authority presents draft budget for 2022
Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority representatives presented the organization’s draft budget for 2022 at the Oct. 21 Committee of the Whole meeting.
The town’s proposed levy contribution is $240,049, in increase of $10,597 over 2021. The capital asset levy is $12,476. This represents a total contribution of $252,525 for 2022. Staff will review the request and make a recommendation to committee.
Learn more about the NVCA budget.
Review the NVCA budget slide deck.
Residents share concerns about flooding in west end neighbourhood
Residents Bob Hawkin and Cindy Cleary appeared before council to ask for better drainage in their area of town.
They say improved drainage is required for Marilyn Avenue South, Robert Street, and Beachwood Drive. They presented a petition supporting their request.
They say in the last 21 months their area of the community has flooded four times.
Council referred the matter to staff for review.
Review the presentation material presented to council.
Council hears water pressure concerns from resident
Ron Fedorowicz addressed council about water pressure concerns at his home.
Council received the presentation for information and referred the matter to staff for review.
Simcoe County Food Council presentation
Courtney O’Neill of the Simcoe County Food Council presented to council to raise awareness about the organization’s work.
The organization is working to improve household food security in the county – part of this includes the creation of a Simcoe County Food Security Framework.
Town considering how to assist groups wanting facility space at reduced rates
Councillor Mark Kinney, chair of the Community Services Section of Coordinated Committee, told council that committee has received a request from a local Guides group for a reprieve in the fees it would pay to use town facilities.
Carol Fraser of the Second Wasaga Beach Guides appeared before committee on Oct. 14 and asked for the assistance. Due to COVID restrictions, the group is not able to use school board space.
Kinney told council that the request was referred to staff for review with consideration to be given to other organizations that might require similar assistance.
OPP shares details about unsanctioned car rally
The Ontario Provincial Police appeared before Coordinated Committee on Oct. 14 and provided an overview of the unsanctioned car rally that occurred in town in September.
Councillor Mark Kinney, chair of the Community Services Section of Coordinated Committee, relayed to council the information from the OPP presentation.
Kinney said that during the car rally the OPP had 70 vehicles towed for a variety of offences, including 22 instances of stunt driving and 33 instances involving unfit vehicles.
Police removed four impaired drivers from the road and issued 383 charges to motorists.
The OPP is reviewing the weekend further and will provide another update to committee later.
Provincial Offences Act revenue down due to pandemic
The revenue the municipality receives through court fines has declined due to the pandemic.
At the Oct. 14 Coordinated Committee meeting, the committee received first and second quarter Provincial Offences Act reports for information.
Council received an overview of the reports at its meeting on Oct. 26.
The town will receive a cheque for $15,912 as its share of revenue from the two quarters – a substantial decrease compared to previous years and directly related to the pandemic.
The difference in revenue received in 2021 versus the $110,000 budgeted will be made up using the provincial COVID-19 support grant.
Read the OPP annual billing statement.
Council approves Remembrance service details
Council approved holding the town’s annual Remembrance service on Sunday, Nov. 7.
The service will take place at the cenotaph at town hall. Due to capacity issues, the town is recommending the public watch the live stream rather than attend in-person.
As part of the service, the town is closing Lewis Street from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Glenwood Drive is closing between the library and Lewis Street at 10:30 a.m. for the service parade.
Santa Claus Parade happening Nov. 27
The man from the North Pole will be in town at the end of November.
Council OK’d the Santa Claus Parade for Saturday, Nov. 27, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The parade will make its way along Dunkerron Avenue and Mosley Street, ending at the RecPlex.
Council also approved related street closures to accommodate the parade.
In addition, members approved closure of the Dunkerron municipal parking lot to accommodate the formation of the parade.
Analysis does not support all-way stop at intersection
A traffic analysis has determined that an all-way stop at Marlwood Avenue and Golf Course Road is not required.
Coordinated Committee received a report on the analysis at its Oct. 14 meeting. Councillor George Watson, chair of the Public Works Section of Committee, advised council of the report.
Read the related staff report.
Read the related traffic analysis.
Town supports Rotary Club’s Yellow Fish project
The town is supporting the Rotary Club’s Yellow Fish Project, which involves volunteers painting the image of a yellow fish on pavement adjacent to catch basins and drains as a reminder of the harmful effects of dumping products or chemicals.
Coordinated Committee, at its Oct. 14, meeting, authorized staff to provide traffic control measures while the work takes place.
Councillor George Watson, chair of the Public Works Section of Coordinated Committee, advised council of the project.
Read the related staff report.
Capital works projects continue throughout Wasaga Beach
The monthly Capital Works Project Status Report highlighted the latest details on several projects taking place in the community.
The report notes the start of the design work for Beach Area 1 roadways and streetscaping, which will support the redevelopment of town-owned land at the beachfront.
Read the related staff report.
Transit statistics show steady use of bus service
Monthly transit reports show people took just over 5,000 rides on Wasaga Beach Transit in September, compared to 4,672 rides for the same month a year ago.
People took almost 8,000 rides on Simcoe County buses, travelling from the beach to Barrie and from the beach to Collingwood.
Council authorizes staff to start Official Plan amendment that will streamline the development approval process
Council approved the start of an official plan amendment to streamline the procedure for removing Holding Zones and authorized staff to hold a public meeting on the proposed change.
The town places Holding Zones on development until municipal services are in place.
The town can also use these zones to ensure developers meet certain conditions.
The intended amendment aims to facilitate faster development timelines by removing the requirement to advertise for a minimum of 20 days before a public hearing to remove a Holding Zone through a bylaw amendment.
Post Script: The province recently introduced legislation to further streamline the development approval process.
Read the related staff report.
Town will issue building permits for residential project, subject to meeting of conditions
Council accepted a report regarding the removal of a Hold Zone for lands at 801 Sunnidale Rd. S.
The town will lift the Hold when Pacific Developments Inc. and 1415069 Ontario Ltd. register the subdivision agreement plan, plus related requirements as outlined in the report.
The removal of the Hold will allow the town to issue building permits for the property, which is part of the Sunnidale Trails area.
Read the related staff report.
Council approves extension for subdivision draft plan
Council members approved an application for a three-year extension for a Draft Plan of Subdivision for 12 homes, located along the west side of Bell’s Park Road.
Read the related staff report.
Building statistics show continued investment in Wasaga Beach
The town issued 81 building permits in September worth a total estimated construction value of $69-million.
Of the permits issued, 44 were for single-detached homes and 34 were for town houses.
Read the related staff report.
Firm hired to create new brand for Wasaga Beach
Scott Thornley and Company Inc. will work with the town to create a new brand for the municipality.
The new brand will support the overall town and work in tandem with a marketing tourism brand created a few years ago.
Council approved awarding a contract to the company for $59,980, exclusive of HST, and subject to approval of the county’s economic development funding program.
A competitive request for proposals process determined the company as the preferred firm.
In addition, council approved using $6,536 from the Economic Development Initiatives account to offset the budget shortfall for the project.
Read the related staff report.
Firm retained to create West Wasaga Secondary Plan
Council awarded a contract to create the West Wasaga Secondary Plan at a cost of $160,160, excluding HST.
The town will work with SHS Consulting, as well as UrbanMetrics Incorporated.
The town used a request for proposals process to identify the companies.
The plan will result in a coordinated and comprehensive approach that addresses future land use, market assessment, transportation, servicing, storm water and drainage needs, urban designs, trails and recreation, and natural heritage in the west end of town, from the roundabout to the town boundary.
Read the related staff report.
Update on Municipal Comprehensive Review
Councillor David Foster, chair of the Development Services Section of Coordinated Committee, provided council an update on the County of Simcoe’s Municipal Comprehensive Review Process.
He said committee received a memo from Hemson Consulting Ltd., which is working on the review on behalf of the county. Committee referred the memo to staff for review and comment.
Foster said the memo focuses on the background work Hemson is doing for the county.
He said the firm is determining the most appropriate location for long-term growth to 2051, plus how much land will be required to accommodate growth.
The memorandum sets out the preliminary results of the Lands Needs Assessment.
Staff are engaged in the process and will provide further updates in the future.
Read the related staff report.
East and West End On-street Parking Project approved
Council approved the East and West End On-Street Parking Project as part of the 2022 parking capital budget at a cost of $6,000, with funding coming from the parking reserves account.
The project, subject to final approval of the town budget, will result in the implementation of paid on-street parking in certain areas of the east and west ends of town that see congestion in the summer months with people parking on side streets to access the beach.
On-street parking would be a costlier option for motorists than municipal parking lots – the hope is the new initiative will encourage people to use the lots rather than side streets.
The town will use the HONK Mobile app as the payment method for people who opt for parking on the street.
Read the related staff report.
Town will consider making animal control officer position permanent full-time
Council, as part of the 2022 budget deliberations, will consider converting the full-time contract animal control position to a permanent full-time position.
A staff report outlines the contract position has worked well, with the officer also performing the duties of a municipal law enforcement officer.
Town investing in archives with creation of new position
Council, as part of 2022 budget deliberations, will consider creating a two-year, 40-hour per week contract archives coordinator position.
Read the related staff report.
The town recently invested in a new home for the archives at 140 Main St. The space is more accommodating than the room the archives occupied at the Wasaga Beach Public Library, allowing for exhibits and other programs.
Staff and council can take online Indigenous learning
Members of council and staff can now take part in self-directed online learning regarding Indigenous history.
At the Oct. 14 Coordinated Committee meeting, members approved the action.
Read the related staff report to learn more.
Caterpillar population declining, says County of Simcoe
A County of Simcoe report on the LDD infestation has determined the caterpillar population is declining.
As a result, staff are recommending no further action be taken on the matter at this time.
The last two summers the caterpillars have stripped leaves from trees and left behind the results of their munching.
Read the related staff report.
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