One-Sentence Summary

Council heard Grey Sauble Conservation Authority Tim Lanthier present the 2027 draft budget noting a two percent levy increase for Owen Sound, reviewed City Clerk and Deputy Clerk details on internet telephone voting platforms without paper ballots for 2026 elections, and addressed Council passing By-law No. 2026-099 confirming zoning amendments and executing agreements for 1038 6th Ave West development incentives.

Whole Meeting Summary

Tim Lanthier presented the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority’s 2027 draft budget, which includes a three-point-six-six percent overall levy increase and a two percent rise for Owen Sound alongside doubled capital spending and static operating costs to prepare for a merger. The Conservation Authority board approved the budget for circulation at the end of July and will return it for a vote on September 23rd, providing municipal partners approximately sixty days for consultation regarding the Budget Approval Timeline and Consultation Period. Speaker 01 explained that provincial legislation merging thirty-six conservation authorities into nine entities by February 1, 2027, shifts board appointments to upper-tier municipalities based on population percentages while recommending adjusted calculations using lower-tier municipal populations instead of excluding rural areas during the transition managed by a committee. The City Clerk and Deputy Clerk presented instructions for conducting the 2026 municipal and school board elections using internet and telephone platforms without paper ballots, detailing login procedures, candidate selection options, voting hours from October 16th to 26th, eligibility requirements, and the schedule for unofficial and official results. Council considered Report CR-26-088 from the City Clerk regarding Chain of Office refurbishment options presented on June 23 and subsequently approved Option Three B to fully refurbish the chain with an antique gold rope edge for up to $8,500. Council considered a report from the Director of Corporate Services regarding preliminary 2027 budget information and process, clarifying that the capital plan falls outside the Mayor’s budget scope but will be presented in winter. Council passed By-law No. 2026-099 to confirm zoning amendments for 1038 6th Ave West and execute agreements with Safe and Sound Grey Bruce, Kevin Linthorne, Villar Brought Holdings Limited, Lutheran Social Services, and Grey County regarding development incentives, building conditions, transit stops, surety bonds, medical residences, property standards, and rental vital services.

Most Newsworthy Items

• Council Discusses Functional Zero Strategies and Housing Needs: Council members discussed strategies for functional zero homelessness, citing Saint Thomas and Elgin’s cart corral concept as a potential low-cost intervention involving fencing. The group emphasized that Housing First with wraparound services remains the most successful approach while noting the need for increased affordable housing supply and county social service augmentation to move forward.
• Council approved a three-year collective agreement ending May 2028 and endorsed: Council approved a three-year collective agreement ending May 2028 and endorsed participation in the 30 by 30 target administered through Ontario Nature.
• Waste Responsibility and Shelter Licensing Review: The report addresses ongoing cleanliness and safety issues in the River District, noting that improper waste disposal diverts staff resources and costs taxpayers approximately $62,000 annually. Staff propose requiring property owners to provide tenants with current waste collection information and ensure waste is placed correctly to establish a clear point of responsibility. Regarding emergency shelters and social support services, the report recommends against creating a new licensing program because evidence from Cobourg is unavailable and concerns exist about increased operating costs and barriers for vulnerable people. Instead, the City should respond to violations using existing enforcement tools while organizations comply with applicable municipal bylaws.
• Council approved a 25% reduction to a maximum of $1 000: Council approved a 25% reduction to a maximum of $1,000 for AORS rental fees under policy CS 77, while denying fee waivers for the Alzheimer Society event as it does not qualify under policy CS 37.

Meeting Recap

Grey Sauble Conservation Authority Presents 2027 Draft Budget

Tim Lanthier presented the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority’s 2027 draft budget, noting an overall levy increase of approximately 3.66 percent across municipalities and a specific increase of about two percent for Owen Sound. The authority plans to double its capital budget in 2027 while keeping operating costs static at roughly 0.8 percent growth to prepare for an upcoming merger.

Budget Approval Timeline and Consultation Period

The Conservation Authority board approved the budget for circulation at the end of July and will return it for a vote on September 23rd, providing municipal partners approximately sixty days for consultation.

7.a Deputation from Tim Lanthier CAO Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA) Speaker 02 explained that provincial legislation will merge 36 conservation authorities into nine regional entities by February 1, 2027. The new governance structure shifts board appointments to upper-tier municipalities based on a population percentage model, granting Grey County two members and Bruce County one member. Lanthier recommended that the province adjust calculations to use lower-tier municipal populations rather than excluding rural areas like Ajax and Pickering from the regional count. A transition committee led by CAO Don Goodyear will manage the integration of HR, finance, and IT systems over the coming years.

GSCA Merger Creates Lake Huron Regional Conservation Speaker 03 explained that provincial legislation will merge 36 conservation authorities into nine regional entities, with Grey-Sable joining the Lake Huron Regional Conservation Authority by February 1, 2027. The new governance structure shifts board appointments to upper-tier municipalities based on a population percentage model, granting Grey County two members and Bruce County one member. Lanthier recommended that the province adjust calculations to use lower-tier municipal populations rather than excluding rural areas like Ajax and Pickering from the regional count. A transition committee led by CAO Don Goodyear will manage the integration of HR, finance, and IT systems over the coming years.

Grey Sauble Conservation Authority Representative Discussed Balancing Urban and Rural Representation

The Grey Sauble Conservation Authority representative discussed balancing urban and rural representation on the provincial board to address property assessment disparities, noting that high-value areas like York Region currently pay a disproportionate share of costs without equivalent representation.

7.b Presentation from the City Clerk and Deputy Clerk Re 2026 Municipal

The City of Owen Sound will conduct its 2026 municipal and school board elections using internet and telephone platforms without paper ballots. The voting period runs from October 16th at 10 a.m. through October 26th at 8 p.m., allowing voters to cast ballots from home or anywhere with internet or touchtone access. Eligible electors include Canadian citizens aged eighteen or older residing in the city, while those serving prison sentences are prohibited from voting. The City Clerk and Deputy Clerk presented instructions for the telephone voting system, detailing login procedures via date of birth and PIN, candidate selection options including abstention, and confirmation steps that finalize the vote. Ian Boddy announced unofficial results would be available on Monday, October 26th at approximately 8:15 p.m., while official results post on Tuesday, October 27th.

City of Owen Sound Will Conduct Its 2026 Municipal and School Board

The City of Owen Sound will conduct its 2026 municipal and school board elections using internet and telephone platforms without paper ballots. The voting period runs from October 16th at 10 a.m. through October 26th at 8 p.m., allowing voters to cast ballots from home or anywhere with internet or touchtone access. Voters must be on the official list, which they can verify via the city website or by visiting City Hall and election centres at Heritage Place Mall. Voter information letters mailed by late September contain necessary links, PINs, and candidate lists for online voting or phone numbers for telephone voting. Eligible electors include Canadian citizens aged eighteen or older residing in the city, while those serving prison sentences are prohibited from voting.

2026 Election Voting Instructions and Candidate Access Rights

The City Clerk and Deputy Clerk presented instructions for the 2026 municipal and school board telephone voting system, detailing login procedures via date of birth and PIN, candidate selection options including abstention, and confirmation steps that finalize the vote. Ian Boddy announced unofficial results would be available on Monday, October 26th at approximately 8:15 p.m., while official results post on Tuesday, October 27th.

10.d Report CR-26-088 from the City Clerk Re Chain of Office

Council considered a report on options for refurbishing the Chain of Office following a request made on June 23. Staff presented three options ranging from status quo to full refurbishment costing between $6,500 and $8,500. After discussion regarding fiscal prudence and material choices, Council approved Option Three B to fully refurbish the chain with an antique gold rope edge for up to $8,500.

11.c Report CR-26-084 from the Director of Corporate Services Re Preliminary 2027

Council considered a report from the Director of Corporate Services regarding preliminary 2027 budget information and process, clarifying that the capital plan falls outside the Mayor’s budget scope but will be presented in winter.

21.a By-law No. 2026-099

Council passed By-law No. 2026-099 to confirm zoning amendments for 1038 6th Ave West and execute agreements with Safe and Sound Grey Bruce, Kevin Linthorne, Villar Brought Holdings Limited, Lutheran Social Services, and Grey County regarding development incentives, building conditions, transit stops, surety bonds, medical residences, property standards, and rental vital services.

Links

Read full transcript: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/council-meeting-regular/2026-09-14

Agenda page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/council-meeting-regular/2026-09-14

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

Original video: https://video.isilive.ca/owensound/New Encoder_CM_2026-09-14-05-30.mp4