Council Meeting

THAT the Regular Council Meeting held on January 27, 2025 be called to order at 7:03 p.m.

THAT the Agenda as presented for January 27, 2025 be adopted, as amended.

THAT the Minutes of the December 16, 2024 Regular Council Meeting, January 6, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting, and January 7, 2025 Special Council Meeting be adopted as presented.

THAT Consent Agenda Item 9.1 be approved.

THAT Council adopt the 2025 Interim Tax Levy By-Law to set the due dates for the interim billing of property taxes for 2025 as described in Report COR-2025-04 - 2025 Interim Tax Levy; and, THAT Council direct Staff to commence a communications effort to notify residents of planned changes to tax due dates for 2025, and to encourage increased participation in the Township’s pre-authorized payment program for taxes.

THAT Council directs Staff to continue facility use subsidies and in-kind staff costs for legacy facility bookings, by affiliated groups and special events taking place at Township facilities in 2025 as described in Report CS-2025-01 - 2024 Special Event and Facility Subsidies ; and, THAT Council directs Staff to review the affiliation policy and report back to the Committee of the Whole in September with details including participation rates, residency and fees and charges.

THAT Council received report IS-2025-02 Knipfel Private DWS System - Design Approval; and, THAT Council directs Staff to proceed with the detailed design for replacing the Knipfel Private Distribution Water System with a new municipal watermain and services that meets current municipal and provincial design and safety standards, including design for service connections for all existing users and properties fronting the proposed watermain layout in northeast Petersburg, Notre Dame Drive, and Snyder’s Road East as described in Report IS-2025-01 Knipfel Private Drinking Water System Update ; and, THAT Council directs staff to proceed with the public consultation process as presented in Report IS-2025-02 Knipfel Private DWS System - Design Approval for the detailed design for replacing the Knipfel Private Distribution Water System.

THAT By-Laws as attached to this Agenda be read a first, second and third time, and finally passed in Open Council.

WHEREAS, the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Wilmot supports the Town of Aurora’s motion to Request the Redistribution of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax and GST to Municipalities for Sustainable Infrastructure Funding; AND WHEREAS, municipalities face growing infrastructure needs, including roads, bridges, public transit, water systems, and other critical services, which are essential to community well-being and economic development; AND WHEREAS, the current sources of municipal revenue, including property taxes and user fees, are insufficient to meet these increasing demands for infrastructure investment; AND WHEREAS, the Province of Ontario currently collects the Land Transfer Tax (LTT) on property transactions in municipalities across the province, generating significant revenue that is not directly shared with municipalities; AND WHEREAS, the Federal Government collects the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on property transactions, a portion of which could be directed to municipalities to address local infrastructure needs; AND WHEREAS, redistributing a portion of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax and GST to municipalities would provide a predictable and sustainable source of funding for local infrastructure projects without creating a new tax burden on residents or homebuyers; AND WHEREAS, a redistribution of a portion of the existing Land Transfer Tax and GST would allow municipalities to better plan and invest in long-term infrastructure initiatives, support

WHEREAS Ontario’s small rural municipalities face insurmountable challenges to fund both upfront investments and ongoing maintenance of their capital assets including roads and bridges and water wastewater and municipally owned buildings including recreational facilities and libraries; and WHEREAS in 2018, the Ontario government mandated all Ontario municipalities to develop capital asset management plans with the stipulation that they be considered in the development of the annual budget; and WHEREAS small rural municipalities are facing monumental infrastructure deficits that cannot be adequately addressed through property tax revenue alone; and WHEREAS the Ontario Government has committed $9.1 billion to Toronto alone to assist with operating deficits and the repatriation of the Don Valley and Gardner Expressway; and WHEREAS small rural Ontario cannot keep pace with the capital investments required over the next 20 years unless both the Provincial and Federal Governments come forward with new sustainable infrastructure funding; and WHEREAS it is apparent that both the Federal and Ontario Governments have neglected to recognize the needs of small rural Ontario; and NOW THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Township of Wilmot Council call on the Ontario and Federal Government to implement sustainable infrastructure funding for small rural municipalities; AND THAT small rural municipalities are not overlooked and disregarded on future applications for funding; AND THAT both the Fe

WHEREAS the Municipal Act Section 224 states it is the role of council to maintain the financial integrity of the municipality; and, WHEREAS in Ontario, municipalities are required by Section 289 and 290 of the Municipal Act to plan balanced operating budgets. This means that expenses must equal revenues every year and they cannot borrow money to fund operating expenses; and, WHEREAS in Ontario, municipalities face increasingly complex challenges without the financial tools to solve them. Property taxpayers, including people on fixed incomes and struggling small businesses cannot afford to subsidize income redistribution, investment for those most in need, and significant capital investments; and, WHEREAS in Ontario, municipalities manage nearly half a trillion dollars worth of infrastructure, including roads and bridges, water and wastewater, recreation facilities, social housing, public transit, and more; and, WHEREAS in Ontario, Councillor's are required to complete mandatory training as set out in other provincial legislation, including the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Township of Wilmot Council requests that the Province of Ontario amends the Municipal Act, 2001 to address the financial obligations of members of council and members of local boards and recommend the amendment as required that Members of Council, and local boards should have mandatory training on the f

WHEREAS the Township of Wilmot Council approved the Community Services Department Affiliation Policy on December 12, 2022; WHEREAS the Township of Wilmot recognizes the importance of community groups who provide recreation, leisure and/or wellness programs and services that benefit Township residents and enhances the overall quality of life within the community; WHEREAS the Township of Wilmot is committed to maintaining fiscal responsibility while ensuring essential services and programs are accessible to residents; WHEREAS the current subsidies and grants represent a significant portion of the Township’s budget, and a phased approach to subsidy reduction can promote self-sustainability while lessening the tax burden on residents; and WHEREAS a reduction of subsidies will encourage more equitable cost-sharing by shifting a portion of the financial responsibility to users, where appropriate, while preserving services for those in need. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council directs staff to conduct a comprehensive review of all current subsidies and grants provided by the Township of Wilmot, identifying: Total annual expenditure. Beneficiaries of these subsidies and grants. Economic and social impact of reducing or eliminating specific subsidies; AND FURTHER THAT Council directs Staff to plan and implement a phased five-year subsidy reduction starting in 2026, with the suggested following target milestones: Year 1: 5% reduction of total subsidies. Year 2: Additional 5% redu

THAT the Confirmatory By-Law as attached to this Agenda be read a first, second and third time, and finally passed in Open Council.

THAT we do now adjourn to meet again at the call of the Mayor.

4 THAT Council directs Staff to continue facility use subsidies and in-kind staff costs for legacy facility bookings, by affiliated groups and special events taking place at Township facilities in 2025 as described in Report CS-2025-01 - 2024 Special Event and Facility Subsidies; and, THAT Council directs Staff to review the affiliation policy and report back to the Committee of the Whole in September with details including participation rates, residency and fees and charges.