West Grey Council — Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Roads exchange — Council received for information a report on the Grey County Roads Exchange, approved by the county July 23 and taking effect June 1, 2027. West Grey will assume approximately 8.6 kilometres of urban roads while uploading rural roads on Concession 12 and the Benton-Sullivan town line to the county over 10 years. Grey County will pay West Grey $5,136,277 to fund the transition. West Grey will inherit four recently rebuilt bridges on Grey Road 9 and upload four bridges on Concession 12. Staff noted the county had the legal right to download roads with zero compensation; the negotiated package was described as an equitable outcome.

Entry signage — After extended debate, council approved completing all four Durham-area gateway sign replacements in 2026 from the approved $35,000 capital budget, targeting installation before winter. A motion to replace only the single sign removed during road construction and hold the remaining funds in reserve until a municipality-wide strategy is developed failed. Councillor Minne raised concerns about equity among West Grey communities and the exclusion of municipal boundary signage. Staff noted that completing signs within one settlement area yields better per-unit pricing, and that an RODP grant application to fund all communities simultaneously was rejected in August.

Tax increment grant program — Council approved, with one recorded opposed vote, directing staff to develop a Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG) program as an addition to the Community Improvement Plan, aimed at attracting commercial and industrial development. The tool defers incremental tax revenue generated by higher-assessed redevelopments for a set period. The annual CIP budget envelope is approximately $25,000. Councillor Shea opposed, arguing the illustrated benefit — roughly $44,000 on a 10-unit building — would not materially change a developer’s business case.

OCIF funding — Council unanimously supported the MFOA’s request that Ontario maintain the doubled Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund at $400 million beyond its 2026 expiry. A reduction would proportionately cut West Grey’s formula-based allocation; past projects funded through OCIF include the Northline Bridge and Newstead Water Tower.

270 Queen Street South — Council approved a zoning amendment for a multi-residential townhouse development, lifting a flood-fringe holding provision and granting setback and frontage reductions. Stormwater management concerns raised at a prior public meeting will be addressed at the site plan stage.

Stoddard Hall and employee handbook — Council authorized renewing the cost-sharing agreement with Grey Highlands for Stoddard Hall, effective January 1, 2025, including payment of the outstanding 2025 invoice; West Grey’s one-third share of operating losses over 2021–2025 totalled $19,259. Separately, council adopted an updated employee handbook effective January 1, 2027, replacing policies last formalized in 2004; changes include renaming sick days to personal time off and restructuring vacation accrual so employees earn one additional day per year of service rather than waiting until year five.

Public delegation — One resident thanked council for including a dark sky provision in the now-effective Official Plan and urged staff and council to uphold its spirit going forward.

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