Upcoming meeting preview for Council Meeting - Regular on September 14, 2026 5:30 PM.

This preview is based on the published agenda package and supporting reports.

One-Sentence Summary

On September 14, 2026 at 5:30 PM, Council considers the GSCA 2027 Draft Budget for fair cost distribution alongside delegating Site Plan Control duties to ensure equitable governance.

Whole Agenda Summary

The September 14, 2026 agenda preview will examine whether the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority’s proposed $66,214 Category 1 levy increase reflects a fair distribution of costs for water management and conservation lands projects across eight municipalities, noting that capital costs nearly double while operational expenses rise only marginally. Discussions on site plan control delegations will consider recommendations to delegate authority to the Director of Community Services and Manager of Planning and Heritage to ensure equitable governance. The presentation on voting platforms outlines access via secure digital tools using a unique PIN for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election, ensuring voters can use internet or telephone platforms without rotary phones. Preliminary budget discussions for 2027 will explore the sustainability of utilising new Euna software while departments transition from Excel templates, alongside placeholder financial assumptions for police and library services. A zoning amendment case seeks to replace a single detached dwelling with a semi-detached structure at 1038 6th Avenue West, involving lot severance, variances for reduced lot area and coverage, and establishing easements for maintenance access. Finally, staff propose increasing Committee of Adjustment member remuneration to $100 per meeting, inviting deliberation on whether current compensation supports recruitment given the role complexity.

Most Newsworthy Agenda Items

  • Deputation from Tim Lanthier, CAO, Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA) GSCA 2027 Draft Operating and Capital Budget: Tim Lanthier, Chief Administrative Officer of the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA), presented the 2027 Draft Operating and Capital Budget to eight member municipalities including Arran-Elderslie, Blue Mountains, Chatsworth, Georgian Bluffs, Grey Highlands, Meaford, Owen Sound, and South Bruce Peninsula. The proposal seeks a Category 1 levy increase of $66,214 representing an overall percentage rise of 3.36% to fund static operations with only a 0.8% cost increase while capital costs nearly double through grants and reserves. Specific budget adjustments reduce Water Management expenses from $200,620 to $181,030 while significantly increasing Stewardship costs from $135,544 to $202,713. Combined operating, building, and capital levies total $2,144,120.39 to support water management, conservation lands projects, fleet replacements, and forestry services.
  • Delegation of Powers and Duties - Site Plan Control and Facility Use Agreements: The report recommends amending the Delegation of Powers and Duties By-law to delegate site plan close-out certificate and security release authority to the Director of Community Services and Manager of Planning and Heritage, while updating signing authority for recurring facility and park use agreements to involve the Manager of Arena Operations.
  • Presentation 2026 Municipal and School Board Election: The City Clerk and Deputy Clerk presented details for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election, outlining voting periods from October 16th to 26th via internet or telephone platforms. Voters must possess a Voter Information Letter containing a unique PIN to access the secure voting site at owensound.simplyvoting.com without using rotary phones.
  • Preliminary 2027 Budget Information and Process: Director Kate Allan reported that the preliminary 2027 operating budget includes an estimated 5.23 per cent municipal tax levy increase to maintain existing services and commitments. The City will utilise Euna software for the first time in 2027 to support budget development while departments continue using established Excel templates during this transition year. Staff have not yet received preliminary budgets from the Owen Sound Police Service Board or the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library, so the report assumes placeholder increases of 5 per cent and 6 per cent respectively for those services. The process accommodates either a Mayor’s budget proposal tabled in December or a traditional staff-prepared draft considered after February 1, 2027, depending on the incoming Mayor’s election outcome.
  • Recommendation Report - ZBA No. 59 - Part 1, Plan 16R-12308 and 1038 6th Avenue West: Barry’s Construction and Insulation Ltd. submitted a complete application to amend Zoning By-law No. 2010-078 for lands at 1038 6th Avenue West, seeking to replace a contemplated single detached dwelling with a semi-detached structure. The proposal involves severing the southern interior side yard and adding land from an adjacent vacant parcel to create two new lots, each with approximately 11 metres of frontage. Staff recommend approval of the amendment to apply site-specific zoning provisions that allow the semi-detached use while establishing specific regulations for lot area, coverage, and setbacks. The revised Grading and Drainage Plan relocates the yard catch basin to private property while confirming separate services for severed parcels and establishing easements for maintenance access. A Minor Servicing Agreement requires securities equal to 100% of off-site works values, alongside cash-in-lieu payments for parkland dedication in accordance with the Planning Act. The topographical survey confirms the proposed retained lot meets minimum frontage requirements but fails to meet minimum area standards, necessitating a variance. The planning report details a proposed severance requiring variances for reduced lot area and coverage, where the north unit fails to meet minimum lot area standards while the south unit satisfies rear yard setback requirements but exceeds maximum lot coverage limits.
  • Update: Information and Requirements Related to an OPP Costing Request: City Manager Tim Simmonds reports that Council has not directed staff to pursue an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) costing assessment but seeks to understand the process for future consideration. The Ministry of the Solicitor General advised that a formal response to the City’s questions regarding requirements and timelines may take several months due to internal review. Staff recommend referring this report and any future correspondence to the Resilient Community Advisory Committee in 2027 for public discussion before further decisions are contemplated. Staff Report CM-26-030 seeks guidance from the Ministry of the Solicitor General on formal steps, required documentation, consultation opportunities, and timelines for obtaining an OPP costing assessment. The City Manager requests clarity to determine if a facility needs assessment for the OSPS building is financially sustainable before further actions are contemplated.
  • Committee of Adjustment Member Remuneration Review: Staff Report CR-26-079 recommends increasing Committee of Adjustment member remuneration from $30 to $100 per meeting effective January 1, 2027, to recognize role complexity and support recruitment. The report directs staff to allocate $5,000 in the 2027 Operating Budget for these costs and amend By-law No. 2022-074 to formally identify the Committee as the Court of Revision under the Drainage Act. City Council enacted By-law No. 2022-074 to delegate consent authority for undisputed applications to the Director of Community Services, defining them as cases without unresolved public objections or zoning amendments. This legislation allows processing without a public hearing while retaining Council authority to review matters referred by the Director when a Committee of Adjustment review is warranted.
  • Housekeeping Amendment to By-law No. 2026-098 – Change Name on Lease for aPortion of the Municipal Parking Area on 11th Street West: Council considers amending By-law No. 2026-098 to change the lessee name from Brandon Vanderschot to The BMG Corp, reflecting his role as president and sole signing authority for the corporation.

What To Watch

  • Which agenda items move forward to formal recommendations.

  • Whether staff proposals trigger additional public consultation or revisions.

  • Follow-up actions, timelines, and any deferred items.

Read full agenda archive page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/council-meeting-regular/2026-09-14

Transcript will be published here: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/council-meeting-regular/2026-09-14

Original Agenda Package Links

Supporting Attachments

Official meeting page: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=efd08dfb-5d79-4612-a786-d1b59a4fa7e6