Georgian Bluffs Regular Council — Tuesday, November 4, 2026
OPP Board deficit funded. Council approved Georgian Bluffs’ $3,311 share of a $23,200 projected operating deficit at the Grey Bruce OPP Detachment Board. The shortfall emerged after a legislative interpretation removed First Nations municipalities as financially contributing members, reducing the cost-sharing pool from nine to seven municipalities — a change communicated only after the board’s budget had already been passed. Staff indicated the payment can be absorbed within the 2026 operating budget, with the policing reserve as a fallback. Motion carried.
Q3 financials stable, but IT costs a concern. Staff presented the Q3 2026 Financial Update (Report 2026-037), describing the township’s overall position as stable with most departments tracking close to budget. On the positive side, the township received an additional $64,600 in WSID funding, and cemetery, tax sale, and water system revenues all ran above projections. Outstanding taxes dropped approximately $835,100 as of September 30, with only 33 properties in the tax sale process — a figure staff called a very positive outcome. On the pressure side, IT costs with contractor Infinity Networks are running roughly $50,000 over budget on a $310,000 total IT spend. The 2026 contract — the first year of an all-inclusive arrangement — resulted in some out-of-scope items continuing to be billed separately. Council questioned whether other suppliers had been considered; staff said they would review how Infinity Networks was originally selected as the sole provider.
ERP software search pushed to 2027. The township’s search for a replacement to its aging Keystone Complete financial software has been deferred to 2027. The new ERP system is estimated at $350,000. Staff cited Keystone Complete as server-based, incompatible with cloud integration, and highly manual — the primary driver for seeking a replacement.
Conservation authority merger flagged as a fiscal risk. Departing Councillor Day drew a parallel between the OPP budget gap and the upcoming formation of the Lake Huron Regional Conservation Authority, warning that municipalities may face similar funding surprises if provincial cost information is not provided in advance.
Aurora retail report received. Council accepted for information a retail task force report from the Municipality of Aurora, which Councillor Day flagged as relevant to questions Georgian Bluffs has already raised. The township’s own retail study remains pending.
Final meeting of term. By-law 2026-056, confirming the November 4 proceedings, was passed. The meeting marked the close of the 2022–2026 council term. Councillors Day and Colburn (absent) were recognized as departing members.