Regular Council Meeting

RESOLVED THAT the minutes and closed minutes of the meeting held on February 11, 2025 be adopted.

Ketchabaw RESOLVED THAT the presentation from the Director of St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services be received and filed.

Giguère RESOLVED THAT we do now move into Committee of the Whole.

RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Procurement Activity Report Q4 (October 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024)" from the Manager of Procurement & Risk dated February 25, 2025 be received and filed.

RESOLVED THAT the 2025 budget as summarized in the “2025 Proposed Business Plan & Budget” in Appendix "A" be approved with a tax rate increase of 1.49%; and THAT Council directs that a By-Law, generally in the form of Appendix "B", be added to the March 11, 2025 agenda to adopt the 2025 budget; and THAT this resolution constitutes notice for the purposes of By-Law 24-15 that Council intends to consider a By-Law to adopt the 2025 budget at its March 11, 2025 meeting; and THAT the Borrowing By-Law (25-08) as outlined in Appendix "C" be approved as presented; and THAT the Treasurer and Warden be authorized to carry out Option #2 related to Debt financing for Terrace Lodge in the amount of $6M for 10 Years; and THAT the County of Elgin will undertake an analysis of shared services with their Local Municipal Partners in 2025 and report back; and THAT, in response to the letter from the Municipality of Central Elgin, staff be directed to reach out to Hospice (Elgin) to advise them of the process for the County’s newly established Grants program and ask that they fill out an application for consideration under this program. Yes (7) Warden Jones, Councillor Giguère, Deputy Warden Ketchabaw, Councillor Widner, Councillor Couckuyt, Councillor Hentz, and Councillor Leatham No (2) Councillor Sloan, and Councillor Noble

Ketchabaw RESOLVED THAT Brent Clutterbuck from the Township of Southwold be nominated to the Thames-Sydenham & Region Source Protection Committee as the representative from Elgin, Essex and Chatham-Kent for the term of June 1, 2025 to June 1, 2029.

RESOLVED THAT Correspondence Items 7.2.1 - 7.2.3 be received and filed.

the County of Elgin is proposing a 2025 County Levy to its lower tier municipalities in the amount of 49.8 Million amounting to a tax rate increase of 1.49%; Whereas the County of Elgin provided the proposed 2025 Budget information to the Finance Committee on January 28, 2025 including detailed departmental information without a clear consolidated financial picture of the County’s finances; Whereas the reserve balances contained within the 2025 proposed budget documents are for the 2023 year and does not contain forecasted 2024 projections; Now therefore be it resolved that staff be requested to provide the overall forecasted surplus or deficit for 2024 year and updated reserve balances to Council before making a final decision regarding the 2025 proposed budget.

RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 25-08 be now read a first, second, and third time and finally passed.

Ketchabaw RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 25-09 be now read a first, second and third time and finally passed.

RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 12:07 p.m. to meet again on March 11, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

RESOLVED THAT the presentation from the Director of St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services be received and filed.

RESOLVED THAT we do now move into Committee of the Whole.

RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Homes - Emergency Plans - Elgin County and Thames Valley District School Board (MOU)” from the Director of Homes and Seniors Services dated February 25, 2025 be received and filed; and THAT Council authorize the Director of Homes and Seniors Services to execute the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for emergency planning with the Corporation of the County of Elgin and Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB). Motion

RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Administration Building Exterior Renovation – Options Presentation” from the Director of Engineering Services dated February 25, 2025 be received and filed; and THAT staff be directed to proceed with the Administration Building Exterior Renovation project and incorporating the recommended construction material options as recommended in the report presentation.

RESOLVED THAT Brent Clutterbuck from the Township of Southwold be nominated to the Thames-Sydenham & Region Source Protection Committee as the representative from Elgin, Essex and Chatham-Kent for the term of June 1, 2025 to June 1, 2029.

RESOLVED THAT we do now adopt recommendations of the Committee of the Whole.

RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 25-09 be now read a first, second and third time and finally passed.