From the Council Chambers – April 8, 2025
Elgin County Council met on April 8th, 2025 for both their Council Meeting and Committee of the Whole Meeting. Here are some key takeaways:
𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 – Council meetings focus on urgent matters, final approvals, and updates for public information.
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱: 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁
In 2024, Elgin County Library introduced a pilot Mobile Library Service, delivering books and library support to residents at Terrace Lodge and Elgin Manor (two of Elgin County’s Long-Term Care Homes) with monthly visits. Staff provided residents at these homes with book lending, library cards, reading recommendations, and audiobooks.
The service was well-received, enhancing access to reading and building connections. The Elgin County Library plans to expand this program in 2025 to include weekly visits at these Homes, as well as the addition of more locations, like community retirement homes.
Impact on Elgin County Taxpayers:
This initiative uses current resources efficiently, promoting equitable access to services. While a few extra staffing hours may be needed, the cost is minimal. The benefits include improved quality of life for seniors and better community engagement, without significant new funding.
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗖𝗢𝗧𝗪)- COTW meetings are held directly following Council and focus on detailed discussions and reviewing reports.
𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙡 22 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙡 𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜:
𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀
Elgin County has officially reached substantial completion of the Terrace Lodge Redevelopment Project. To finalize funding for the project, County staff are suggesting moving ahead with borrowing $6 million through Infrastructure Ontario, as approved by Council during the 2025 budget process.
This borrowing must follow a strict process and timeline, with several key steps taking place between April 3 and May 1, 2025. These include document reviews, legal sign-offs, and Council’s approval of a new by-law to finalize the loan. Staff have confirmed the timeline can be met and are working closely with legal counsel and Infrastructure Ontario to ensure timelines are met.
Impact on Elgin County Taxpayers:
The $6 million loan would allow the County to spread out the cost of the Terrace Lodge project over the next 10 years, rather than paying it all upfront. This approach ensures responsible and sustainable financial management while continuing to invest in modern, high-quality care facilities for Long-Term Care Residents. A final decision on this matter will be made at the April 22nd Council Meeting.
𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱: 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱
Eleven roads across Elgin County have been proposed by staff for major improvements, as part of the 2025 Capital Budget process. If approved, they will be resurfaced or rebuilt using Cold In-Place Asphalt Recycling and Hot Mix Asphalt Paving, with construction scheduled from May through to October.
Five roads — including Fingal Line, Clinton Line, Heritage Line, Lyons Line, and Fruitridge Line — would undergo Cold In-Place Asphalt Recycling, a cost-effective and eco-friendly method that reuses existing road materials before applying fresh asphalt. If approved by Council, nine additional roads would be fully repaved, with paved shoulders for future cycling lanes being suggested for two of these roadways.
Impact on Elgin County Taxpayers:
These improvements are part of Elgin County’s regular infrastructure investment plan, covered under the 2025 budget. By using competitive bidding and recycling techniques, the County aims to keep costs down while enhancing safety and road lifespan. A final decision on this matter will be made at the April 22nd Council Meeting.
To read the full April 8th Council Agenda, please click here.
To read the full April 8th Committee of the Whole Agenda, please click here.