Forty per cent of strategic plan initiatives completed by council, 55 per cent in progress says CAO

Chief Administrative Officer Ron Taylor presented what he called a good news story in the form of an update on the city’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan for 2024 – 2027. Data provided by Taylor and senior city staff to council shows that the city has already completed 40 per cent of the promised 190 initiatives in the strategic plan with another 55 per cent already in progress and the remaining five per cent starting in 2026.

Taylor told council that by having solid long-term planning in place the city has been able to deal with a major ice-storm, tariffs, unexpectedly high inflation, extreme heat and forest fires and showing resiliency by constantly re-prioritizing.

“This will be a concise update,” Taylor said, “on the implementation of the plan with focus on alignment with the city’s four strategic priorities: a healthy environment, an exceptional quality of life, a vibrant and growing economy and good government.”

Under the heading of a healthy environment Taylor focused on initiatives taken by the city to support environmental sustainability and resilience. Of the 26 initiatives listed under this category, four have been achieved, nine are ongoing, nine are in progress and three have yet to start.

The CAO listed specific examples of city actions that will benefit the environment. These include the completion of the Active Transportation Master Plan, the completion of two major drainage projects to limit seasonal flooding, the launching of a source-separated organics program for Lindsay, Omemee, Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Falls and the expanded landfill diversion programs for construction waste and mattresses.

Under the heading of an exceptional quality of life, Taylor told council that of the 50 initiatives listed to improve the health and well-being of residents in the multi-year strategic plan, 13 have been completed, 11 are ongoing, 25 are in progress and one has not been started.

A few of the city initiatives mentioned by Taylor here include approval of a new five-year partnership agreement for the city’s Municipal Long-Term Care Home, construction of 46 new affordable housing units with another 30 under construction and soon to be finished, the creation of 124 new licensed centre and home-based child-care spaces and council funding for primary care after hours and physician recruitment and retention.

Under the heading of a vibrant and growing economy, Taylor reported that of the 39 initiatives proposed to improve and expand critical infrastructure, 17 have been completed, eight are ongoing, 12 are in progress and two have yet to start.

Under this umbrella, Taylor highlighted that the city has established a new rural zoning bylaw; completed its Transportation Master Plan; supported 15 local organizations with almost $270,000 in municipal grants; assisted 18 new start-ups get off the ground that created 23 new jobs; established detailed land use policies for Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Lindsay and Omemee; and built $15.2 million worth of new roads.

Under the umbrella of good government, Taylor told council that of the 82 goals set to provide accountable government and responsible management of city resources 32 have been completed, 10 are ongoing, 34 are in progress and six have yet to start.

Initiatives mentioned here by Taylor were wide ranging and include the modernization of the Lindsay Service Centre to improve the customer experience, a program audit for social assistance and child services, a new city website to be launched this month, the replacement of 77 per cent of city water meters to better manage water utilization and the development of an Archaeological Master Plan.

Ward 8 Councillor Tracy Richardson wondered if the city would use its newly re-designed website to better share with residents challenges the city has had to overcome and where the city currently is as it moves forward.

“It will be a tough conversation,” Taylor said. “But absolutely…we will continue to report annually to council and then we will share on the website. We should be scrutinized by the public. We will try to tell our story online.”

Richardson told Taylor that it is very important for residents to hear that the strategic plan is 40 per cent complete and a foundation is being laid for councils of the future.

Ward 6 Councillor Ron Ashmore asked Taylor if the increase in the size of city landfills, rather than use what he called “21st century technology” available to municipalities to deal with waste, is not increasing the city’s carbon footprint.

“We are constantly doing a balancing act,” Taylor said, “weighing the environment and the economy.”

The update was accepted unanimously by council.