Grey County Council and Committee of the Whole — Thursday, October 8, 2026
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.
Integrity Commissioner appointed Council adopted Report CCRCW1626, appointing Lauren Chi as Integrity Commissioner for a three-year term effective November 15, 2026 — timed to precede the new council swearing-in and joint orientation. The appointment follows a joint selection process involving Grey County’s “G4” municipalities, mirroring a similar collaborative exercise from 2017. Deputy CAO Rayburn Murray was credited for leading the process.
Joint community services committee retained Council directed staff to schedule a new meeting of the Joint Committee for Community Services so the Committee can be formally reintroduced in the next meeting period. The Committee’s mandate is to identify shared-service opportunities across two or more municipalities; a meeting had already been held September 25. Councillors Pringle and Kai both spoke in favour of continuing the Committee, citing efficiency gains from collective municipal action.
By-law enacted By-law 53109-26, establishing the actions and activities of Council, was read three times and carried, moved by Councillor Dickert and supported by Councillor Dobrin.
Communities in Bloom Deputy Warden (Southgate) reported that Southgate received a four-bloom designation in the Communities in Bloom program at a ceremony October 7, with Brenda Carroll credited as the driving force. Council noted the goal of reaching five blooms — the program’s highest award — next year.
No delegations were received at this meeting.