Brockton Council Meeting — Tuesday, October 13, 2026

OPP costs draw sharp criticism — An 11% OPP cost increase directed by Solicitor General Kirsner dominated discussion, with Mayor projecting a roughly $300,000 annual increase pushing Brockton’s policing bill to approximately $3.2 million in 2027. The Mayor noted Brockton holds the second-highest per-capita OPP costs among Ontario contract municipalities, attributing the premium to courthouse-generated demand, and said two prior attempts to engage the Solicitor General yielded only “platitudes.” He raised the possibility of commissioning a courthouse cost-benefit analysis and, if the municipality is losing money, asking the courthouse to relocate. Councillor Chiavelli urged the incoming council to explore alternative policing models. The transcript cut off mid-comment from the Police Services Board chair.

Child care secured to 2031 — Council accepted Report BCC265 confirming QUELK funding extended to March 31, 2031. A separate report approved $244,572 in additional current-year QUELK revenue for expanded part-time spaces, program materials, first aid training, and food costs; unspent funds may be transferred to reserve. The municipal daycare tax subsidy has fallen to approximately $35,000 from a prior high of $120,000; the projected tax-funded deficit for the centre is $56.74.

Chepstow Road winter service sent back to staff — Council declined to adopt the recommendation to hold existing winter maintenance levels on Chepstow Road. Deputy Mayor challenged traffic counts of 962 and 986 vehicles/day — one collected during COVID — as an inadequate basis for the decision. A county-level extra maintenance sweep was costed at $250,000–$400,000 per season and ruled out as unfeasible. Staff directed to return around December 16 with alternatives, overtime feasibility for plow drivers, applicable service standards above 1,000 vehicles/day, and a snow-fencing trial with north-side landowners.

Good Life Building deal approved — Council authorized a Tax Incremental Equivalent Funding (TIEF) grant agreement bylaw with Good Life Building Company on Valley Side Drive. A water main extension development agreement at 178 Wellington Street, Paisley, also passed by bylaw.

Budget survey: roads first, tax increases last — Council received 65 budget survey responses (slightly above last year). Roughly 70–75% of respondents prefer user fee increases or service reductions over a property tax increase; road maintenance, economic development, and recreation topped priorities. Councillor McLean recommended staff report back to residents on how their input influenced decisions to improve future participation.

ORV by-law amended — Council amended the Off Road Vehicle By-law to permit off-road motorcycles under Ontario Regulation 316/03 to use municipal road connections between the county rail trail, staging areas, and residences.

Transit skepticism — Mayor and Deputy Mayor raised concerns about a regional transit study proposing no routes serving the Bruce County interior. Mayor signalled he will not support the proposal and intends to advance a ride-share alternative with a uniform taxi by-law across Bruce and Grey Counties.

Briefly — Walkerton Hometown Christmas Market declared municipally significant (November 19, 44 vendors signed up). Fish Art Walking Tour draw winners Grady and Riley Pennington each received $250 in Brockton dollars. Next meeting is the inaugural session on November 17.

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