Grey County on Grey-Bruce Brief

Grey County Council and Committee of the Whole — Thursday, October 22, 2026

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Asset management plan endorsed Grey County’s 2025 Asset Management Plan, covering a portfolio valued at approximately $2.6 billion across 11,452 assets, was received and endorsed. Staff recommended continuing a 2.55% annual capital tax levy increase for the next 12 years to maintain assets at “good” condition (average score ≥ 60) — Scenario 3 of four modelled options, requiring $57.3 million annually against the current $28.6 million capital budget. Scenario 1, holding investment flat, would cause average asset condition to fall to poor/very poor within 20 years. The plan noted 89% of county assets are currently rated fair or better. Motion carried.

Grey County Council and Committee of the Whole — Thursday, October 22, 2026

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

What happened: This was a brief session — approximately two minutes of public business — with the majority of the meeting conducted in closed session. The public record contains limited detail as a result.

Closed session: Council returned from an in-camera meeting that covered two matters: potential or existing litigation subject to solicitor-client privilege, and personnel matters concerning specific individuals, including municipal or local board employees. Staff received direction arising from those deliberations; the substance of that direction was not disclosed on the public record.

Grey County Committee of the Whole — Thursday, October 22, 2026 @ Following Council

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

What to Watch

Entrance Permit Refusal — Grey Road 1 — Stephen Barclay appears before Committee to contest a refused entrance permit on Grey Road 1. (Notable: a rare public challenge to a County roads access decision.)
2025 Asset Management Plan — Committee considers endorsing the County’s 2025 Asset Management Plan, with financial impacts flagged for inclusion in the 2027 draft budget and 2028 forecasted budget.
Traffic & Parking By-law Amendments — Proposed amendments to the County roads Traffic and Parking By-law (4788-13) would update Schedules D, F, N, and P on the Grey County road system.
Accessibility Projects Review — The Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee brings forward review requests on five upcoming projects: the Flesherton Fire Hall addition, Flesherton Memorial Arena accessible washroom, Stothart Hall upgrades, Markdale Rotary Park Pedestrian Bridge, and new Flesherton Pickleball Courts.
Morrison Forest Management Exemption — Committee considers approving a minor exemption from the County’s Forest Management By-law for a property in the geographic Township of Sullivan, Chatsworth.
Corporate Financial Update — Mid-year corporate finances as of August 31, 2026 are before Committee for information.

https://pub-grey.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=e4495279-ac5c-4b10-80ee-6f1a4fd182be&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English

Grey County Council and Committee of the Whole — Thursday, October 8, 2026

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Infrastructure funding advocacy Council passed a resolution supporting the Municipal Finance Officers Association’s (MFOA) brief to the Ministry of Infrastructure requesting that the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) doubling be made permanent before 2027 allocations. The province had doubled the fund from $200 million to $400 million annually for 2021–2026 but has not committed to maintaining that level. Councillor Echols, who moved the resolution, argued that even $400 million divided among Ontario’s 444 municipalities falls far short of asset management plan obligations. Councillor De Bruyne raised the added burden of Buy Ontario procurement requirements and requested the resolution be distributed to AMO and local MPPs. Staff confirmed resolutions of support are automatically routed through AMO and that the CAO will liaise directly with MFOA to pursue follow-up with the Ministry. The CAO also noted an updated Grey County Asset Management Plan will come to council October 22.

Grey County Council and Committee of the Whole Budget — Monday, September 22, 2026

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

2027 Draft Budget Overview: CAO Randy Scherzer and county staff presented the 2027 draft working budget, projecting a net levy requirement of approximately $91.9 million — an 8.49% levy increase, or roughly $7.2 million above 2026’s approved levy of $84 million. The figure sits approximately $659,000 above last year’s 2027 forecast, compounded by weaker-than-expected assessment growth of approximately $880,000 against a five-year average of $1.68 million. Staff described the document as a snapshot, with a finalized version due for the incoming council in December.

Grey County Council and Committee of the Whole — Thursday, September 24, 2026

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Regional transit study dominates session: Council received for information a Phase 1 study recommending a unified four-county transit network across Grey, Bruce, Dufferin, and Wellington — described as the largest study of its kind in Ontario, covering 12,640 km². The plan proposes three base intercommunity fixed routes plus on-demand connectors, underpinned by $9.5 million in approved provincial Ontario Transit Investment Fund (OTIF) money. A delegation from Dylan Consulting (Dennis Carr in person, Anne Lindsey online) presented findings. A motion by Councillor Greg to postpone the report to the October 8 committee meeting failed with 8 votes in favour (majority not achieved); the main motion to receive for information carried 12–0. No decisions are required from the current council term; Grey County is the first of four partner counties to formally review the study.

Grey County Council and Committee of the Whole Budget — Monday, September 22, 2026

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Budget motion carried Council received the 2027–2028 preliminary budget update and directed that draft figures be incorporated into the December final budget document (moved Councillor Carlton, seconded Councillor Nielsen). All figures remain subject to change as provincial, MPAC, and partner funding information is confirmed.

Grey County Committee of the Whole — Thursday, September 24, 2026 @ Following Council

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

What to Watch

Regional Transit Study (Delegation + Direction Item): Dillon Consulting presents the Unified Regional Transit Network Study — the same Bruce-Dufferin-Grey-Wellington transit draft that is also on the table as a discussion item, making regional transit a centrepiece of the day’s agenda.
Paramedic Services Deficit: A $73,095 shortfall stemming from the Prehos closure will be funded from the 2026 paramedic services budget surplus at year end, or from the One-Time Stabilization Funding Reserve if no surplus is available.
Owen Sound Official Plan Approval: County staff recommend approving the City of Owen Sound’s updated Official Plan (2026), subject to modifications listed in Appendix 1 — a notable land-use planning milestone for the county’s largest municipality.
Bill 9 — Municipal Accountability Act: County staff comments on the province’s proposed regulations under the Municipal Accountability Act are before the committee for information.
Waste Management & Insurance Reviews: Council will consider endorsing Joint Municipal Services Committee resolutions covering a regional waste management services review and joint procurement of municipal insurance.

https://pub-grey.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=3957ae1c-2eee-468f-86f2-1a72b9d6e36e&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English

Grey County Committee of the Whole — Tuesday, September 22, 2026 @ 10:00 AM

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

What to Watch

2027–2028 Budget Update (FR-CW-20-26): Staff is presenting the proposed draft two-year budget for council’s consideration and direction, with the figures to be formally incorporated into the 2027 and 2028 budget documents. (Notable: this is an early, consequential opportunity for councillors to shape Grey County’s spending plans across two full years — watch for direction on any significant program changes or levy implications.)

Full agenda: https://pub-grey.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=53ad0b9e-a86b-4a48-811a-f2e5c04f7e51&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English

Grey County Council and Committee of the Whole — Wednesday, September 10, 2026

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Aggregate policy review directed — Council directed staff to prepare a report on the cost and feasibility of a standalone aggregate resource policy and mapping review ahead of the 2027 official plan process. The motion, moved by Councillor Hutchinson and seconded by Councillor Dobrin, carried after a lengthy delegation from the Sogine Preservation Society Inc. (SPSI), whose president Judy Smelko cited policy gaps exposed by three active licence applications in West Grey — including failures to assess cumulative impacts and cross-boundary effects on the Sogine River. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), representing more than 9,000 local members, backed the call. Grey County holds roughly 60% of southern Ontario’s aggregate resources, 139 active licences, and extraction authority exceeding 25 million tonnes annually; water-taking permits tied to aggregate operations total approximately 138 million litres per day, roughly double all municipal water-taking permits combined. Staff said the report would target delivery early in the incoming council’s term, prior to the official plan kickoff. Councillor Neill voted against, citing election timing concerns.

Grey County Council and Committee of the Whole — Thursday, September 10, 2026

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Official Plan Amendment 28 — Mount Forest North Lands: Council continued consideration of OPA 28 and an associated zoning by-law amendment for lands directly north of Mount Forest. Staff Manager Taylor reported that the application is sound in policy and satisfies the provincial planning framework, but final approval cannot proceed until the Saugeen Ojibway Nation completes its review of additional archaeological work. Following earlier concerns raised by the Ojibway community over Phase 1 and Phase 2 archaeological assessments submitted to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS), a joint site visit was arranged with community members, their experts, and the applicant’s specialists attending simultaneously. A further Phase 1 and Phase 2 assessment was then conducted over the preceding summer with West Grey staff and Ojibway community participation. The Ojibway community’s formal comments remain pending completion of that research. Staff described their approach as a voluntary partnership with First Nations rather than a mandated consultation obligation. A motion supporting OPA 28 was referenced, with a request number to be presented at the September 28 meeting. Only a small portion of the southeast area of the property — where a historic residential site and two original occupants were identified — would receive a specific land-use designation; the remainder of the lands would not be fully designated at this stage.

Grey County Committee of the Whole — Thursday, September 10, 2026 @ Following Council

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

What to Watch

Official Plan Amendment — Industrial Expansion in West Grey: Committee will vote on Amendment 28, which would redesignate lands in geographic Normanby Township from Rural/Hazard to Industrial Business Park Settlement Area — a notable land-use change that would open the door to additional industrial development.
Conservation Authorities Act — ERO Comments: Staff seek direction to submit provincial comments on proposed Conservation Authorities Act regulations before the September 12 deadline; staff are authorized to proceed ahead of full Council approval given the tight timeline.
School Zone Safety in Feversham: Following a request from Grey Highlands, staff will be directed to review Grey Road 2 in Feversham for speed limits and community safety zone designation during the next Traffic and Parking By-law update.
Councillor Conference Policy Update: An amended policy governing councillor attendance at conferences takes effect when the new 2026–2030 Council term begins November 15.
Safe N Sound Letter of Support: Council will consider endorsing Safe N Sound’s Ontario Trillium Foundation application to continue its Neighbourhood Response Team program.
Delegation — Saugeen Preservation Society: Judi Smelko appears before Committee; topic not specified in the agenda.

📎 https://pub-grey.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=be9fb513-5d34-4582-81d1-0e43e84c8350&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English