Regular Meeting of Council

Council appoint Councillor Shipley as a member to the Court of Revision for the Fisher Watt drain as a replacement for Councillor Aerts; AND THAT Council adjourn its regular meeting at 9:33 a.m. to sit as the Court of Revision. Members of the Court of Revision are Deputy Mayor Brennan, Councillor Shipley, and with Deputy Mayor Brennan being the Chair.

the Middlesex Centre Court of Revision approves the Schedule of Assessment for the Fisher Watt Municipal Drain provisionally adopted by By-Law 2024-009 as outlined in the report prepared by Spriet Associates; AND THAT the corresponding by-law be forwarded to Council for a final reading; AND FURTHER THAT the Court of Revision adjourn at 9:35 a.m. and Council resume their regular meeting.

the minutes of the Middlesex Centre Council meeting held on February 21, 2024 be adopted as printed.

Items 8.1 through 8.7 listed under the heading of Consent Agenda for March 6, 2024 be adopted as recommended.

Report CLK-02-2024 re: Routine Disclosure Policy be received; AND THAT the Routine Disclosure Policy attached as Appendix ‘A’ be approved.

the Council for the Municipality of Middlesex Centre receives the Correspondence item 11.1. and 11.3 to 11.10 as information.

the Municipality of Middlesex Centre Council support the motion brought forth by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority requesting that the Province not proceed with the recommended phase out of free private well testing in Ontario; AND THAT a copy of this resolution be sent to the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority and the Minister of Environment Conservation and Parks.

the current provincial-municipal fiscal arrangements is weakening Ontario’s economic prosperity and quality of life; WHEREAS nearly a third of municipal spending in Ontario is for services in areas of provincial responsibility and expenditures are outpacing provincial contributions by nearly $4 billion a year; WHEREAS municipal revenues, such as property taxes, do not grow with the economy or inflation; WHEREAS unprecedented population and housing growth will require significant investments in municipal infrastructure; WHEREAS municipalities are being asked to take on complex health, social and infrastructure challenges; WHEREAS inflation, rising interest rates, and provincial policy decisions are sharply constraining municipal fiscal capacity; WHEREAS property taxpayers – including people on fixed incomes and small businesses – can’t afford to subsidize income re-distribution programs for those most in need; WHEREAS the province can, and should, invest more in the prosperity of communities; WHEREAS municipalities and the provincial government have a strong history of collaboration; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Municipality of Middlesex Centre calls upon the Province of Ontario commit to undertaking with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario a comprehensive social and economic prosperity review to promote the stability and sustainability of municipal finances across Ontario; AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this motion be sent to the Premier of Ontario ( [email protect

Council Adjourn closed session at 11:38 a.m.

By-laws 2024-016 through By-law 2024-018 listed on the March 6, 2024 meeting agenda be adopted as printed.

the Council for the Municipality of Middlesex Centre adjourns the March 6, 2024 Council meeting at 11:42 a.m.

THAT the Council for the Municipality of Middlesex Centre receives the Correspondence item 11.1. and 11.3 to 11.10 as information

THAT Council appoint Councillor Shipley as a member to the Court of Revision for the Fisher Watt drain as a replacement for Councillor Aerts; AND THAT Council adjourn its regular meeting at 9:33 a.m. to sit as the Court of Revision. Members of the Court of Revision are Deputy Mayor Brennan, Councillor Shipley, and with Deputy Mayor Brennan being the Chair.

THAT the minutes of the Middlesex Centre Council meeting held on February 21, 2024 be adopted as printed.

THAT Items 8.1 through 8.7 listed under the heading of Consent Agenda for March 6, 2024 be adopted as recommended.

THAT Report CLK-02-2024 re: Routine Disclosure Policy be received; AND THAT the Routine Disclosure Policy attached as Appendix ‘A’ be approved.

THAT the Municipality of Middlesex Centre Council support the motion brought forth by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority requesting that the Province not proceed with the recommended phase out of free private well testing in Ontario; AND THAT a copy of this resolution be sent to the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority and the Minister of Environment Conservation and Parks.

WHEREAS the current provincial-municipal fiscal arrangements is weakening Ontario’s economic prosperity and quality of life; WHEREAS nearly a third of municipal spending in Ontario is for services in areas of provincial responsibility and expenditures are outpacing provincial contributions by nearly $4 billion a year; WHEREAS municipal revenues, such as property taxes, do not grow with the economy or inflation; WHEREAS unprecedented population and housing growth will require significant investments in municipal infrastructure; WHEREAS municipalities are being asked to take on complex health, social and infrastructure challenges; WHEREAS inflation, rising interest rates, and provincial policy decisions are sharply constraining municipal fiscal capacity; WHEREAS property taxpayers – including people on fixed incomes and small businesses – can’t afford to subsidize income re-distribution programs for those most in need; WHEREAS the province can, and should, invest more in the prosperity of communities; WHEREAS municipalities and the provincial government have a strong history of collaboration; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Municipality of Middlesex Centre calls upon the Province of Ontario commit to undertaking with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario a comprehensive social and economic prosperity review to promote the stability and sustainability of municipal finances across Ontario; AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this motion be sent to the Premier of Ontario (premier

THAT By-laws 2024-016 through By-law 2024-018 listed on the March 6, 2024 meeting agenda be adopted as printed.

THAT the Council for the Municipality of Middlesex Centre adjourns the March 6, 2024 Council meeting at 11:42 a.m.