Haldimand County and staff from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing will be hosting a virtual Candidate Information Session for anyone interested in running as a candidate in the 2022 municipal or school board election.
The virtual session will take place on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome and pre-registration is not required. Connection details will be shared at www.haldimandcounty.ca/election/ closer to the session.
As there have been many changes enacted to the Municipal Elections Act in recent years, this session will benefit newcomers to the municipal election process, third party advertisers as well as those who have participated in past elections. Topics covered at the session will include:
Haldimand County Public Library invites residents of all ages to get creative and participate in its 9th annual poetry contest, to be held throughout the month of April.
This year’s theme is “Back to Nature”. The Library encourages entrants to express through poetry how nature impacts and inspires them, how they connect with nature, or how their actions effect the natural environment.
Entry forms, and a full list of rules and submission details can be obtained on the library’s website or at any library branch. Submissions can be made in person at any branches or can be submitted online.
Submissions will be accepted during the month of April and entered to win cash prizes in one of the following categories:
Primary – Kindergarten to Gr. 3
Junior – Gr. 4 to Gr. 6
Intermediate – Gr. 7 to Gr. 10
Senior – Gr. 11 – 12
Adult – age 18+
Judging will take place at the beginning of May by a library-chosen panel. First, second and third-place prizes will be awarded in each category. First prize will receive $50, second prize will receive $35 and third prize will receive $20. Winners will be announced in mid-May.
On March 31, 2022, Haldimand County Council reviewed and approved the 2022 Tax-Supported Operating Budget. The budget results in a total levy requirement of $76,221,100, which equates to a residential tax impact of 2.29%.
Generally, the annual Tax-Supported Operating Budget pays for day to day operations of the County, including salaries, wages, utilities, insurance and services such as running arenas/programming, maintaining locals parks and cemeteries, providing emergency services (fire, police and ambulance), the collection of garbage and related activities.
“Despite significant financial challenges related to economic factors beyond the county’s control, staff have worked hard to develop a budget that is aligned with Council’s priorities and mindful of the challenges our ratepayers are facing,” said Mark Merritt, General Manager of Financial & Data Services.
Major factors that influenced the 2022 Tax-Supporting Budget include external financial pressures (higher costs of materials, supply chain issues, increased inflation), as well as increases to costs associated with insurance, policing and contracted services (e.g. winter maintenance).
CAO Craig Manley noted that while the Operating Budget initially represented a 7% increase for ratepayers, staff conducted a rigorous review of controllable costs and only brought forward new initiatives that would negatively impact standards of service or health and safety if they were not included.
Manley also emphasized the positive impact of increased assessment from growth in 2021 – nearly $2.0 million or 2.73% – that has helped alleviate the tax burden and achieve the final recommended tax increase for 2022.
“The 2022 Tax-Supported Operating Budget represents a financially sustainable plan that responsibly manages taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars while addressing current and emergent needs of our growing community,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt.
“Thanks to the continued hard work of staff, we have once again been able to meet the Council-approved tax increase target of 2% annually, a goal that was established in 2018 at the beginning of this Term,” Hewitt added.
Highlights of the 2022 Tax-Supported Operating Budget include:
introducing new, permanent staffing resources to address organizational needs, respond to growth and meet service levels expected by residents (including up-staffing paramedic services to address response time standards);
proceeding with the Council-approved reorganization of the IT division to prioritize the enhancement of public-facing services (i.e. on-line and self-serve tax information), increase efficiencies and strengthen cybersecurity;
funding the continuation of successful economic development, tourism & culture-focused activities, including the successful Paddle Art Tour Haldimand (PATH) and Haldimand County Geocache Tour;
maintaining the enhanced levels of portable washroom cleaning and facilities put in place at public parks when the pandemic started in support of tourism and increased community use, and;
increasing funding for the proper asset management of existing social housing stock in the County and to financially support a new affordable housing build in Dunnville – a priority set by Council for this term.
On average, a residential property owner can expect their annual property taxes to be allocated as follows:
Haldimand County is committed to investing in programs and partnerships that contribute to the vibrancy and health of its communities. In addition to offering Community Partnership Program capital grants, Community Beautification grants and related supports, Haldimand County provides support to community groups and individuals who wish to lead community clean-up activities.
The County provides supplies like gloves, garbage/recycling bags, pickers, brooms, vandalism wipes and other items to those who wish to lead a community clean-up day(s). The County will also coordinate for waste to be picked up once the clean-up is complete!
Anyone seeking further information about Haldimand County’s Clean and Green Program is encouraged to call 905-318-5932, ext. 6119 or e-mail Haldimand County’s Community Development & Partnerships Division at cdp@haldimandcounty.on.ca.
The Heritage Centre in Cayuga is pleased to host six programs throughout the month of April.
Our Victorian Past: April 5 at 6:00 p.m. This presentation takes a look at the Victorian era. Characterized by a class-based society, it was a time of great change in Canada and Haldimand County.
Historic Kitchen Gardens: April 6 at 1:00 p.m. Experience a hands-on workshop examining the history of kitchen gardens. Our ancestors depended on their gardens for food and medicine. Participants will learn how gardens were strategically planted to eliminate pests and what plants grew together in harmony. These handy hints will help you plant your own garden.
Here Comes Peter Cottontail: April 12 at 6:00 p.m. This talk will take a look at the history of Easter and the various ways we celebrate.
Ancestors in the Attic: April 13 at 1:00 p.m. Using the Archives and online resources, this hands-on workshop will help participants find their long-lost ancestors.
Royal Residences: April 19 at 6:00 p.m. Continuing with the Royal theme, this talk looks at the residences in which members of the Royal Family have lived through the generations. Take a virtual walk in the footsteps of the Royals and explore the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and more.
Long May She Reign, Queen Elizabeth II: April 20 at 1:00 p.m. This presentation features the life and times of Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born April 21, 1926 and ascended the throne in 1952, becoming Queen of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms. She was hailed by newspapers as a fairy-tale queen.
Cost for all programs is $10 per person and pre-registration is required. Register online at Link.HaldimandCounty.ca or in person at the Haldimand County Administration Building, 53 Thorburn Street South, Cayuga.
For more information about programs and activities, contact the Heritage Centre at 905-318-5932 ext. 6613 or email heritagecentre@haldimandcounty.on.ca.
Haldimand Museums are pleased to announce an exciting line-up of programming, events and exhibitions for April.
The Heritage Centre in Cayuga kicks things off on April 5 with its newest exhibit: Long May She Reign, a celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s seventy years on the throne. The exhibit runs until June at the Cayuga Library + Heritage Centre located at 19 Talbot Street in Cayuga.
Trivia Nights for Haldimand Museums are back at Shelly’s Family Dining in Kohler. Join the fun April 6 for Hop Along Trivia – an evening of trivia in support of Haldimand Museums. Cost per person is $30 and includes a 3-course dinner, prizes, trivia contest and more. To register, contact Shelly’s at 905-518-0024. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Beginning April 9, the Haldimand Photography Club returns to Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre for its annual exhibition. Enjoy the work of talented local photographers highlighting a blend of wildlife, landscapes and portraiture images. Visit the exhibit at 80 Caithness Street East in Caledonia.
Children are invited to a special Easter Workshop on Saturday, April 9 at the Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum. The workshop is for children ages 5-12 years. The cost is $28.25 per child and pre-registration is required. Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum is located at 3513 Rainham Road in Selkirk. Register online at Link.HaldimandCounty.ca or in person at the Haldimand County Administration Building, 53 Thorburn Street South, Cayuga.
Don’t miss your chance to visit Child’s Play – A Century of Toys, 1850-1950 at the Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre. This exhibit is only available until March 31. This exhibition presents the history of toys and how they reflect the broader picture of industrial and socio-cultural change. This exhibition explores how toys were used to influence and impart social messages on children; it is intended to be an intergenerational experience, encouraging discussion between adults and children.
Four in-person public consultations are scheduled for April 4 and 5 as Haldimand County continues developing its long-term Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy. The drop-in sessions are scheduled as follows:
Monday, April 4; 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Cayuga Memorial Arena, McSorley Room Monday, April 4; 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Caledonia LIONS Community Centre Tuesday, April 5; 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Jarvis Lions Community Centre Tuesday, April 5; 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Dunnville Community Lifespan Centre
All sessions will be hosted in keeping with pandemic-associated public health guidelines at that time.
“Haldimand County received 2,000 responses to the community survey about this initiative,” says Mayor Ken Hewitt, “which is likely the greatest response received to any public consultation we’ve done in recent years. This just confirms to Council the importance of this issue to residents and users of our community and recreation facilities and services.”
The Strategy — which focuses on facilities that support activities such as aquatics, sports, health, wellness, arts and culture — is being developed in consultation with Monteith Brown Planning Consultants of London, ON.
“Now that we’re able to host public engagement sessions again, we’re hoping residents who may not have had an opportunity to take the survey will come out to see what might be possible and share their thoughts,” adds Hewitt.
While the Strategy will be strongly informed by public input about recreation preferences, it will also include recommendations about financial feasibility of potential locations and types of facilities. This might include repurposing existing sites or facilities or entering into partnerships to address service and programming preferences and trends.
Find out more about the project on the County’s website or contact us at RecStrategy@HaldimandCounty.on.ca if you have questions or want to provide input into the process.
Haldimand County’s Community Paramedic Program continues to make an impact locally, and thanks to $4.3 million from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, the program will continue – fully-funded – for the next 2.5 years.
The Community Paramedic Program was initiated in March 2021 with the goal of connecting vulnerable or homebound patients to health and community services. Since its launch, the program has grown to serve 160 clients across Haldimand who would otherwise experience challenges accessing vital services.
The program’s primary focus is helping at-risk individuals and older adults remain at home longer and maintain independence while waiting for long-term care. Without the support of community paramedics, many of these individuals would wind up in hospital due to their inability to access care.
Regular home care visits, medication checks and ongoing monitoring of medical conditions by community paramedics help mitigate medical complications for these residents and reduce the likelihood of severe conditions requiring 911 response and hospitalization.
“We are incredibly proud of our community paramedic team and grateful to the province for additional funding that will help us reach more residents in need,” stated Jason Gallagher, Haldimand County’s Manager of Emergency Services and Fire Chief.
“Whether we are visiting someone to perform a medication check, administer IV fluids, take blood, teach them how to use their glucose monitoring system or something else, community paramedics are a vital lifeline to many who lack a support system,” Gallagher noted.
Residents who feel they may benefit from the Community Paramedic Program should speak with their primary care physician and request a referral. There is no cost to eligible individuals, and at-home visits will be scheduled based on an individuals’ needs (e.g. weekly, bi-weekly, monthly).
More services will be introduced to the Community Paramedic Program in the coming months and shared with the community as they become available.
Individuals who would like to learn more about services offered may contact 905-318-5932 ext. 6113.
Haldimand County is developing a long term Customer Experience and Communications Strategy and is asking for public input to identify priorities to improve the quality of customer service delivery.
Customer experience covers a broad spectrum of interactions with Haldimand County, including items such as calling customer service for information, registering for a program, booking a facility, making a payment, or reporting a concern.
From March 14 to April 14, 2022, Haldimand County residents are asked to complete the Shape Your HC Survey to share their feedback.
The survey will help set a baseline for current customer experience levels within Haldimand County and identify top priorities for growth and improvement. This information will allow Haldimand County to establish guidelines and key performance metrics for customer service. The strategy will be strongly informed by public and stakeholder input.
“It’s important to us that residents have a positive experience when dealing with all divisions within Haldimand County,” stated Trish Cardwell, Manager – Customer Experience and Communications. “We currently service a wide demographic of people and want to prioritize meeting their expectations, whether that means receiving a call-back within a set period of time or being able to access more information online. Knowing what is most important to our residents is the first step in designing a Customer Experience and Communications Strategy to meet their needs.”
Residents are asked to visit HaldimandCounty.ca/Connect/ShapeYourHC/ to complete the survey online, or are welcomed to fill in a physical copy at any branch of the Haldimand County Public Library or the Haldimand County Administration Building located at 53 Thorburn Street South in Cayuga.
Haldimand County is introducing property tax eBilling to its growing list of online services. Residents can now sign up for eBilling at www.HaldimandCounty.ca/ebills/ and get property tax bills delivered straight to their e-mail inbox starting this July.
Residents that sign up will also be the first to receive information on how to set up their online property tax account – another feature that will soon be launched.
The new eBilling service makes it more convenient for residents to access their property tax information and reduces Haldimand County’s environmental footprint by significantly decreasing the amount of paper used.
The move to eBilling will also result in significant cost savings related to printing and mailing.
The introduction of property tax eBilling was made possible through funding provided by the Provincial government through the Municipal Modernization program, which intends to help municipalities find efficiencies and implement new initiatives to digitize, streamline programs and services.
Property tax eBilling is the first initiative to be launched utilizing this funding, and others will be introduced over the coming months. Ultimately, residents will be able to access their property tax information, receive correspondence and make payments from a single point of contact, 24/7.
Digitizing the county’s popular Community Guide/PlayBook and making it easier to navigate program registration information online is another facet of the project that is currently underway.
The Province’s contribution to Haldimand’s modernization projects under the current implementation stream is approximately $94,250.
Residents who wish to learn more about the county’s online services are encouraged to visit HaldimandCounty.ca and explore the options under ‘myHC’.
Residents who need assistance signing up may also call Haldimand County Customer Service at 905-318-5932 or visit any library branch.
