Lanark County Media Release - December 8, 2021

Here are the highlights from the second Lanark County Council meeting held Wednesday, Dec. 8.

2022 Budget Approved: The 2022 Lanark County budget – themed “A Changing Climate” – was approved with an overall budget increase of 4.3 per cent, but an assessment growth of 2 per cent reduces the tax increase to 2.3 per cent.

The county will collect $38.6 million from property taxpayers this year, up from $37 million last year. Estimated gross expenditures are $99.5 million. “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to change the world in many fiscal and physical ways,” said CAO Kurt Greaves. “The 2022 budget is designed to move council’s priorities forward in today’s ever-changing climate.”

At the special budget meeting held Nov. 19, Greaves outlined the priorities identified by council, including Lanark Lodge redevelopment, social housing renewal, cell and Internet expansion, hospital funding, climate/environment, trail promotion, invasive species management, modernization funding, staff recruitment and the Perth arterial road.

Highlights in the 2022 budget include increased staffing at Lanark Lodge thanks to provincial funding to increase hours of direct care per resident; $200,00 dedicated to council-directed climate action initiatives with $150,000 funded from Provincial Modernization funding; land ambulance service enhancements of $330,000; enhanced information technology infrastructure and security with new maintenance contracts; and maintaining hospital funding at $350,000 for this year.

The public works budget represents 38 per cent of the county levy, followed by emergency services at 21 per cent, and social services and housing at 11. Corporate services, non-departmental, economic development and governance make up the remainder.

With assessment growth at 2.0 per cent, residential ratepayers with a property assessed at $300,000 can expect to see an increase of $26 on the county portion of their tax bill. [SG1] The bill also includes the local municipal and the education portions. Tax rates and ratios for 2022 will be set by county council in the new year. For more information, contact Kurt Greaves, CAO, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1101.

For more information, contact Kurt Greaves, CAO, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1101.

Speed Reduction Authorized for Portion of County Road 10: Council has passed a by-law to reduce the posted speed limit on a section of County Road 10 (Richmond Road) from County Road 17 (Derry Side Road) to the Hamlet of Prospect.

Public Works Manager Sean Derouin explained at the public works committee meeting that the Transportation Association of Canada’s (TAC) guideline tool was used to evaluate the corridor during a review as a result of a request to reduce the speed limit to 60 km/hour. The evaluation concluded the recommended speed should be 70 km/hour due to the number of left-turn movements permitted into entrances and subdivisions. Derouin added the OPP were consulted and agree the 70 km/hour limit is appropriate. The reduced speed limit will take effect once signage is posted. For more information, contact Sean Derouin, Public Works Manager, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194.

Paved Shoulder Plan Progressing: Council received a report on the progress of the county’s paved shoulder program and approved, in principle, the continuation of the program where shoulder paving is incorporated with all rehabilitation projects on county roads.

Public Works Manager Sean Derouin noted the program began in 2013. Advantages include elimination of the need for shoulder grading, gravel replacement, washouts, gravel spillage into ditches and dust complaints. It also improves drainage of the road surface and shoulders, makes winter ploughing easier (gravel shoulders freeze) and extends the life of the road surface by reducing the likelihood of edge cracking on the driving lanes.

Derouin noted there are disadvantages, including upfront capital costs, additional line painting costs if a white edge line is painted to delineate the driving lane from the paved shoulder, and more pavement to maintain. “A wider asphalt driving platform often leads to increased vehicle speeds, and they may encourage impatient drivers to pass stopped vehicles on the right,” he added.

As of this year, half of the county’s road shoulders are paved. The goal is to reach 88 per cent by 2030, averaging 22 km per year through rehabilitation projects. “The 10-year plan is now a 20-year plan,” Derouin explained. “The main challenge is not sacrificing the condition and quality of the road network by choosing shoulder paving contracts to gain more kilometres of paved shoulder over pavement preservation/road rehabilitation contracts.” For more information, contact Sean Derouin, Public Works Manager, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194.

Land Division Committee Suggests Changes: Council has directed County Planner Julie Stewart to provide a staff report on future options for the Land Division Committee in consultation with the local municipalities following a presentation to the economic development committee by Land Division Committee Chair Bob Strachan.

Strachan explained the committee represents the county in the quasi-judicial process of land division. “Our committee has historically been dedicated to ensuring the taxpayers of the county are treated fairly, professionally and equitably when making their applications and that the hearings provide both the applicant, and anyone opposing or interested in the application, an opportunity to provide information and their point of view prior to the decision.”

The land division committee formed in the early 1970s when the province permitted upper tier municipalities to take on the process. Strachan outlined significant changes since then, including more environmental consideration, higher densities and more competing interests, and much more complexity with the Planning Act, official plans and zoning by-laws. Amalgamation and downloaded services have also had an effect, and input is received on every application from numerous agencies along with members of the public.

Strachan said the size and scope of processing applications has grown. They are vetted by planning staff at the county and local municipalities, who provide specific conditions and requirements which can vary across the county. Since the committee is appointed for the term of council, Strachan suggested 2022 could provide an opportunity to determine the committee’s future and the service delivery. For more information, contact Julie Stewart, County Planner, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1520.