Council Highlights - February 23, 2026

February 23, 2026

2025 Town of Saugeen Shores Annual Report

Council heard a report regarding a year-end summary of the Town’s achievements as measured against the goals set out in the 2025 Business Plan. It shows the Major Initiatives, Division Highlights, and Capital Highlights that the Town accomplished, as well as those projects carried over into 2026. The Annual Report also shows the year-over-year numbers for Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

This was carried.

2026 Road Capital Budget Adjustments

Council heard a report recommending adjustments to the Road Capital Budget based on contractor bids for the 2026 program. The revisions realign funding with actual costs, reallocate surpluses, and ensure continued delivery of approved road projects without impacting service levels.

This was carried.

Housing Accelerator Fund Update

The Town of Saugeen Shores received approximately $3.2 million in funding from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Housing Accelerator Fund in 2024. The following background and analysis provide Council with an update on the current progress, next steps, and reporting of related Town initiatives completed to date.

This was carried.

Source Water Protection Service Agreement

The Grey-Sauble Conservation Authority provides Risk Management Official services that are required under the Source Water Protection Act to municipalities in the region. Saugeen Shores has been using this service since 2016. Continuation of this arrangement for another 5 years is recommended. The Authorizing By-law and Agreement are included in the By-law Section of the Agenda.  

This was carried.

2026 ROMA Delegation Update

Mayor Luke Charbonneau along with Saugeen Ward Councillor Dave Myette, Chief Administrative Officer Kara Van Myall, and Manager of Strategic Initiatives Jill Roote spent three days at the end of January in Toronto at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference speaking with ministry representatives and other municipal leaders on issues that matter to the Town’s residents and businesses. The attached briefs outline the specific asks and supporting background – they are provided for information.

This was carried.

Changes to the Fire Department Establishing & Regulatory By-law

Section 21 (d) of Bylaw 25-2023 Fire Department Establishing & Regulatory By-law states that the By-law will be periodically reviewed respecting changes to service levels, legislation, or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. This report outlines the recommended minor changes and requests the approval of a By-law to make the necessary changes. The amending By-law will be added to a subsequent Council Meeting agenda for adoption.

This was carried.

Zonnebeke, Belgium Sister City Memorandum of Understanding

Council received a report regarding a Memorandum of Understanding to advance a Sister City Relationship with Zonnebeke, Belgium that would recognize historical ties and foster heritage tourism opportunities has been prepared with input from community stakeholders. The Authorizing By-law and Memorandum of Understanding are included in the By-law section of the agenda.

This was carried.

BASWR Municipal Services Corporation Business Case Study RFP

In 2025, BASWR member municipalities unanimously agreed to incorporate BASWR as a Municipal Services Corporation under the Business Corporations Act. To advance this, a Municipal Working Group was created and an RFP was issued on December 3, 2025. Member municipalities are being asked to receive and approve the hiring of KPMG LLP.

This was carried.

Joint Bruce County 2026 Election Compliance Audit Committee

Under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (MEA), every Ontario municipality is required to establish a Compliance Audit Committee (CAC) to review applications for audits of candidates’ or third party advertisers’ campaign finances. Joint Compliance Audit Committees (JCACs) are permitted with other local lower tiers that can serve several councils simultaneously, Bruce County Municipal Clerks have decided to create a Joint Bruce County 2026 Election Compliance Audit Committee (JCAC).

This was carried.

Lease Agreement – Storage Facility at 741 Market St.

Council received a report regarding the use of the Town-owned storage building at 741 Market Street for Pumpkinfest festival operations. The aging building needs repairs and upgrades. To support a grant application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Council is asked to pass a By-law authorizing a 5-year Lease Agreement with Pumpkinfest, as required to demonstrate stable tenancy. The By-law and proposed Lease Agreement are included in the By-law section of the Agenda.

This was carried.

Council endorsed the following communications:  

1. Arran-Elderslie Motion 03-01-2026 - Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, 2025
2. United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Resolution - Municipal Accountability Act 

Business Arising from Closed Session  

Mayor L. Charbonneau reported that during the Closed to Public Session, Council approved Closed to Public minutes and discussed matters and provided direction relative to advice subject to solicitor-client privilege from the Town’s Solicitor regarding the February 2026 CCV Legal Update.