At the February 16 Special Council Meeting, Haldimand County Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Craig Manley informed Council of his intention to retire at the end of May. Manley has been employed with the County at senior positions since 2007 with the last four years as the CAO. The CAO is appointed by Council and is the head of the County Administration and the key link between staff and Council.

“After 37 years in the workforce it is time to transition to a new phase in my life journey – to spend more time with my family, to travel and to pursue my hobbies.  I have been most fortunate to have been able to work in my chosen professional discipline, to have had the opportunity to learn, grow and progress over the years and to have a career that has been meaningful and fulfilling.  Haldimand County has been a wonderful place to work and it has been most rewarding to see the community prosper, grow and add services and facilities that improve the quality of life for our residents and businesses. With Council having completed its orientation process, its strategic planning objectives for the council term and the annual budgeting process it is an appropriate time to make this transition. I would like to thank the successive Councils I’ve worked with for their support and collegiality.  I am leaving knowing the County is in good hands both at the Council and at the administration level.”

Mayor Shelley Bentley thanked Craig for his 15 years of service with the County and the recent work done to help the new Council acclimate to their new roles.  “Craig’s experience, advice and leadership has been very much appreciated by both myself as a new Mayor and by all members of Council. He’s been an invaluable part of Haldimand County for many years as a steady, guiding voice that has seen our community through some of its toughest times.  I know I speak for many of us here when I say that his wealth of knowledge and insight will be sorely missed, and that we wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.“

At this same meeting, Council also appointed Cathy Case as the Acting CAO upon Manley’s departure with that role becoming permanent effective October 1, 2023 subject to a performance review and negotiation of an employment contract. Case is a life-long resident of the County and is currently the General Manager of Corporate and Social Services and has significant experience in municipal governance.

Mayor Bentley noted “We are fortunate to have a strong management team in Haldimand and a positive work culture.  In order to ensure a smooth transition and a continued positive trajectory for our community Council felt it was important to look within the organization as a first priority to ensure a continuity of management style and approach to working with Council.’

Over the next four months Manley and Case will be working together to ensure a seamless transition with Manley’s last day occurring on May 31.

Haldimand County Council reviewed and approved the 2023 Tax-Supported Capital Budget and 10-year forecast on February 2, 2023. The Capital Budget outlines $32.6 million of infrastructure investment in 2023, with a total investment of $326.8 million over the next 10 years. In total, 338 capital projects are scheduled for the 2023 calendar year.

The 2023 Capital Budget is heavily focused on infrastructure revitalization with notable expenditures in areas like roadway improvements, bridge and culvert rehabilitation, and enhancements to corporate, community and recreation facilities.

2023 Capital Budget Highlights:

• $20 million towards roadway and active transportation improvements such as paving, road reconstruction, tar and chip resurfacing, gravel road conversion, sidewalk/curb replacements, street lighting, as well as bridge/culvert rehabilitations, replacements and other structure-related projects;
  • Includes $2.9 million towards the Gravel Road conversion program, with the bulk of the work to be completed in 2023;
• $2.1 million towards the purchase of one new pumper and two new tankers and $520,000 for two new ambulances;
• $939,000 towards enhancing municipal arenas, including upgrades to refrigeration equipment/concessions and building infrastructure;
• $677,000 combined towards library and museum services, including the installation of an elevator at the Dunnville Branch and stair riser/accessible washroom and lift at Edinburgh Square;
• $948,000 towards tree conservation and re-forestation initiatives, such as the Downtown Street Tree Revitalization Program and general maintenance, removal, planting and care of urban trees;
• $394,000 for park and trail-related projects, including bleacher/players’ bench replacements in five locations, paving of the Jarvis Meadow Pathway and Trails Master Plan Update;
• $378,000 towards the Community Halls Partnership Program, with funds allocated to facility repairs and necessary maintenance; and
• $211,000 towards mechanical/electric maintenance and repairs at municipal pools.

“The 2023 Capital Budget was prepared in a difficult economic climate and faced a number of challenges in terms of balancing current priorities, future needs and the types of services and facilities we know are desired by the community,” noted Chief Administrative Officer Craig Manley.

“Things like inflation, the rising cost of contracted services, increased growth and uncertainties with regard to federal/provincial funding have all had a big impact on our capital program. Despite this, the 2023 Capital Budget and long-range financing plan outlines a strategy that ensures community needs are met and that will allow us pivot if unforeseen needs arise,” Manley added.

“I appreciate the time and dedication put forward by staff to develop a budget that supports responsible growth in our communities and focuses on sustaining the high-quality levels of service our residents value,” said Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley. “The budget was developed with careful strategic foresight and identifies key challenges that we must plan for proactively to maintain our strong financial position over the long term,” Bentley added.

Similar to past years, the capital levy, funded by property taxes, will increase by about $762,200 or about one per cent of the overall municipal levy. The total municipal levy for 2023 will be determined once the 2023 Tax-Supported Operating Budget is approved by Council.

The 2023 Tax-Supported Operating Budget will be presented to Council on the following dates:

• March 2 & 3*, 2023 – 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Haldimand County Administration Building Council Chamber (*if required)

More information on Haldimand County budgets can be found at HaldimandCounty.ca/Financials/Budgets/.

On Wednesday, January 25, 2023 Haldimand County Council formally adopted the county’s 2023-2027 Accessibility Plan. This multi-year plan outlines the county’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers for individuals with disabilities and reaffirms its commitment to providing inclusive and accessible services.

The 2023-2027 Accessibility Plan takes into account legislated requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the needs of the community, input provided by the County’s Accessibility Advisory Committee as well as best practices for accessibility within the public sector.

The Plan outlines several actions that will be undertaken over the next 5 years to further enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of municipal programs, services and facilities. These include, but are not limited to:

• Enhancing the County website to fully meet AODA standards;
• Developing a Facilities Accessible Design Standards (FADS) document to clearly define accessible design standards that will be used across the County moving forward;
• Completing a parks and facilities audit to identify areas of County owned parks and facilities that require accessibility-related improvements;
• Continuing to engage the Accessibility Advisory Committee and consult members on applicable capital projects, Master Plans, Neighborhood Plans and major initiatives to ensure barrier-free access for all residents;
• Working closely with the newly-established 2022-2026 Accessibility Advisory Committee to develop criteria for prioritizing accessibility-related enhancements across the county – taking into account both areas of greatest need and fiscal practicality.

While the County is legislatively required to abide by the AODA’s Design of Public Spaces Standard on a go-forward basis, the benefits of investing in accessibility enhancements extend beyond meeting regulatory requirements.

Rather, making expenditures that support an inclusive, barrier-free community will ensure Haldimand remains and continues to evolve as a great place to live, work and play for individuals of all abilities.

For more information on accessibility in Haldimand County or to review the 2023-2027 Accessibility Plan, visit www.haldimandcounty.ca/accessibility.

Haldimand County has declared a Significant Weather Event as a winter storm moves into the area, effective Friday, December 23 at 6am until midnight on Saturday, December 24. All municipal facilities will be closed on Friday, December 23 and Saturday, December 24 and garbage and recycling curbside collection is canceled.

Winter storm conditions are expected to intensify throughout the day. The combination of snowfall and extreme winds are expected to result in hazardous travel conditions, and the County is asking residents to follow Environment Canada advice and consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.

Facility closures/service impacts:

• The Haldimand County Administration Building, museums, libraries and arenas will be closed.
• The Canborough Waste Management Facility will be closed Friday and Saturday.
• All scheduled programs and ice/room rentals are canceled Friday and Saturday.
• Garbage and recycling curbside collection is canceled. Residents whose collection day is Friday are asked to bring their materials in from the curb and place them out next week. Residents affected will have double the bag limit next Saturday (due to holiday schedule).

During a significant weather event, residents are advised to use extra caution and are reminded that standard timelines for clearing roads and sidewalks may not be met.

The county’s winter control crews are ready to respond to this significant weather event and will be working around the clock, however, with the conditions expected, residents are asked to be patient and allow staff time to clear main arterial roadways by priority.

Winter control staff have approximately 1500kms of roadways to clear and will be working as quickly as possible to plow all routes.

A plow priority route map and winter parking/snow removal by-law information can be found at HaldimandCounty.ca. Storm-related updates will be posted here and shared via Facebook and Twitter.

Haldimand County is currently accepting applications for citizen representation on numerous boards and committees of Council. Recruitment for boards and committees is held every 4 years with the commencement of a new term of Council.

The role of board and committee members is to provide Council and staff with input on a wide variety of issues. Becoming a member offers residents a unique chance to volunteer their skills and share ideas for the betterment of the community.

Applications from all residents with diverse backgrounds and skill sets are welcome. In total, new members are being sought for 11 boards and committees. These include:

• Accessibility Advisory Committee
• Agricultural Advisory Committee
• Business Development & Planning Advisory Committee
• Committee of Adjustment
• Haldimand County Public Library Board
• Haldimand Museums Advisory Board
• Heritage Haldimand
• Police Services Board
• Seniors Advisory Committee
• Trails Advisory Committee
• Youth Advisory Committee

The number of positions available on each board and committee varies.

Further information about Haldimand’s boards and committees – including terms of reference, member roles, responsibilities and the online application form – are available on the Haldimand County website. Residents are encouraged to review the descriptions for each committee prior to submitting their application.

Following the application closing date of November 30, applications will be reviewed and recommendations will be formally presented to Haldimand Council for its consideration and decision in January 2023.

Residents who wish to learn more or apply for a board/committee position are encouraged to visit the Boards and Committees page on the county website.

On October 24, eligible voters in Haldimand County will select who they want to represent them on Haldimand County Council in the 2022 municipal election.

Voting will take place between October 7 and 24 and residents are strongly encouraged to visit haldimandcounty.ca/election to confirm their voting eligibility and determine the voting option most convenient to them.

Voter List registration information

• Residents – especially those who have recently moved to or within Haldimand County – are strongly encouraged to check that they are on the voters’ list as the data for the list is provided by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. A Voter List lookup tool is available on the County website.
• Voter Notification Letters have been sent in the mail to all eligible electors. If for some reason you do not receive a voter notification letter, you may add yourself to the Voter List online at haldimandcounty.ca/election by Friday, October 21 at 12 p.m.
• Residents who need assistance getting added to the Voter List may call the county at 905-318-5932 or e-mail election@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Advance internet voting – October 7 at 12:01 a.m. to October 23 at 11:59 p.m.

• For the first time ever, internet voting will be offered for advance voting only beginning October 7 and ending on October 23 at 11:59 p.m.
• To vote online, residents will need to have their Voter Identification Number and PIN provided in their Voter Notification Letter. A link to the online voting portal will be available at haldimandcounty.ca/election beginning October 7.
• Eligible voters are strongly encouraged to vote online well in advance of the October 23 deadline. Eligible voters who require assistance voting online may call 905-318-5932 or e-mail election@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Advance in-person voting – October 12 to October 15

• Advance polling stations will be open from October 12 – 15 and are a great way to avoid possible Election Day lineups.
• A list of advance polling locations and operating hours are available at haldimandcounty.ca/election
• Residents can vote at any advance polling station, regardless of their ward.

Election Day – October 24

• A list of Election Day voting locations is available at haldimandcounty.ca/election
• All polling stations are open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
• Residents can vote at any Election Day voting location, regardless of their ward.

Other key details

• Residents who are unable to make it in person to vote or vote by internet may assign a proxy to vote on their behalf. Instructions and proxy assignment forms are available on the county website.
• In order to cast a ballot, residents must provide 1 piece of identification listing their name and qualifying address (e.g. driver’s licence, utility bill, mortgage statement, etc.). A list of acceptable ID is available on the county’s election website.
• A list of certified candidates and candidates’ contact information is available on the county’s election page.

For additional information about Haldimand County’s 2022 Municipal Election, visit haldimandcounty.ca/election or contact the Clerk’s office.

Key details and reminders will be shared through the County’s social channels regularly leading up to the election.