AGENDA


COUNTY OF OXFORD COUNCIL

Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 9:30 A.m. - 10:30 A.m.

21 Reeve Street, Woodstock and online

www.oxfordcounty.ca/livestream

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

2.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

3.

DISCLOSURES OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF

4.

ADOPTION OF COUNCIL MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

4.1

November 15, 2023 Special Budget Meeting

5.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

6.

DELEGATIONS, PRESENTATIONS AND CONSIDERATION THEREOF

6.1

Staff Presentations

Re: 2024 Business Plans and Budgets

7.

CONSIDERATION OF CORRESPONDENCE

8.

REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENTS

9.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

The following Reports are provided for ongoing information purposes during Budget consideration:

9.1

CS 2023-39 - 2024 Business Plans and Budget

Report No. CS 2023-39, titled 2024 Business Plans and Budget was received for discussion purposes by Council on November 8, 2023.

9.2

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

Report No. CS 2023-40, titled 2024 Oxford County Library Business Plan and Budget was received for discussion purposes by Council on November 8, 2023.

9.3

CS 2023-41 - Court Security Grant Special Tax Levy

Report No. CS 2023-41, titled Court Security Grant Special Tax Levy was received for discussion purposes by Council on November 8, 2023.

9.4

CS (CS) 2023-42

Report No. CS (CS) 2023-42 [Closed Session Document] was received for discussion purposes by Council on November 8, 2023.

10.

MOTIONS

11.

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

Note: Section 9.1.2 of Procedure By-law No. 6268-2020 as amended states:
Notwithstanding Section 9.1.1, during Council's review and consideration of annual business plans and budgets, all amending motions shall be tabled in writing and duly signed as Notices of Motion to be debated at the Budget meeting specifically identified for budget debate. The Clerk will ensure that all such motions are printed in full on the Agenda for the meeting when debate is scheduled to occur.

11.1

Notice of Motion 1

Councillor Martin
Re: Bike Lanes

Whereas Project Number 930079 Cycling Infrastructure is identified as funded by grants;

And whereas funds necessary to cover the cost of paved shoulder Bike Lanes on OR24 are unlikely to be granted;

Therefore be it resolved, that the 2024 Business Plan and Budget be amended to remove $500,000 budget request for Project 930079 Cycling Infrastructure.  

11.2

Notice of Motion 2

Councillor Martin
Re: Council Chairs

Be it resolved that the 2024 Business Plan and Budget be amended to defer the Minor Capital purchase of $25,000 for FAC - Council Chambers Chairs from the 2024 Business Plan and Budget.

11.3

Notice of Motion 3

Councillor Martin
Re: Future Oxford Legacy Fund

Whereas Interest Rates administered by CF Oxford on behalf of the Future Oxford Legacy Fund are rising to 9 percent;

And whereas CF Oxford may require a personal guarantee in the form of a second mortgage, thus reducing the lender’s risk associated with the loan if a business fails to repay the debt;

And whereas businesses may be placed in a precarious situation if too much capital is consumed paying off high-interest debt;

Therefore be it resolved, that the 2024 Business Plan and Budget be amended to omit the $100,000 contribution to the Future Oxford Legacy Fund.

11.4

Notice of Motion 4

Councillor Martin
Re: Stimulus Fund

Whereas County Council took immediate action in April, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by developing a $1.5 million Economic Stimulus Fund in partnership with Community Futures Oxford to assist small and medium-sized businesses in the county to regain their vitality and expedite recovery of our community's overall wellbeing;

And whereas, the two-year commitment has concluded and all of the funds were effectively invested in support of the community as planned and the loan repayment obligations are now flowing back to Community Futures Oxford in accordance with the loan agreements;

Therefore, be it resolved that staff, in collaboration with Community Futures Oxford, facilitate repatriation of the principal investment used for loans as repaid, on the basis of the same proportionate share as the fund contributions between the County and Community Futures Oxford, being 67% and 33% respectively;

And further, that the repatriated funds be credited to the General Reserve, being the source of the original $1 million in funding, to assist in narrowing the significant shortfall from the reserve's target balance to be available for use in future year's tax stabilization;

And further, that the repatriation of net principal funds be reported to Council as part of the quarterly Business Plan and Budget updates.

11.5

Notice of Motion 5

Councillor Mayberry
Re: Affordable Housing development

Whereas County Council recognizes the critical importance of addressing the housing crisis affecting our community and have, in their 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, committed to a goal to  “Invest capital funds and leverage provincial, federal, and partner funding in support of the Master Housing Strategy and Housing for All Plan”;

And whereas, a significant number of residents in our municipality are struggling to find safe, affordable, and stable housing, leading to increased homelessness and housing insecurity;

Therefore be it resolved, that the “base” amount of funding for Human Services affordable housing development be increased to $4 million annually with an additional $1 million to be added to the 2024 draft budget, funded by the levy;

And further, that Council and staff increase efforts in actively pursuing matching annual contributions from upper levels of government that are necessary to maximize impact and achieve long-term sustainability in housing security.

11.6

Notice of Motion 6

Councillor Mayberry
Re: 2024 Business Plan and Budget impact on General Levy

Whereas County Council adopted a new 2023-2026 Strategic Plan designed to direct Council decisions and administration in developing policy, business plan and budgets to advance the Strategic Plan goals and objectives;

And whereas staff have presented Council with a draft 2024 Business Plan and Budget that identifies the resources that would be required to deliver the services to achieve the Strategic Plan direction;

And whereas Council and staff acknowledge that the current economic instability and challenges faced by taxpayers due to high inflation needs to be balanced by similar pressures on the County’s budget in addition to significant growth in population adding pressure on levels of service such as housing, long-term care, paramedic services and County infrastructure;

Therefore, be it resolved that Council commits to reducing the amount required from taxation in the draft 2024 budget to provide immediate relief to taxpayers without a direct reduction to the proposed initiatives designed to advance the vision of the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan “working together for a healthy, vibrant and sustainable future;

And further, that Council direct staff to conduct a thorough review of the capital reserves that fund the County’s Asset Management Plan to identify $2 million that can be drawn upon, by delaying improvements without unduly jeopardizing the state of good repair, to reduce the draft 2024 budget general levy requirement.

12.

ENQUIRIES

13.

CLOSED SESSION

14.

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS ARISING FROM THE CLOSED SESSION

15.

BY-LAWS

15.1

By-law No. 6595-2023

Being a By-law to confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council of the County of Oxford at the meeting at which this By-law is passed.

16.

ADJOURNMENT