Members Present: Mayor-Milt McIver, Deputy Mayor-Rod Anderson, Councillor-Todd Dowd, Councillor-Aman Sohrab
Members Absent: Councillor-Laurie (Smokey) Golden
Staff Present: Chief Administrative Officer-Peggy Van Mierlo-West, Clerk-Alexandra Croce, Deputy Clerk-Lindsay Forbes, Treasurer-Teresa Shearer, Public Works Manager-Troy Cameron, Parks and Facilities Manager-Mark Coleman, GIS/IT Managed-Kara Smith (joined the meeting at 10:29 a.m.), Chief Bylaw Officer-Carol Hopkins (joined the meeting at 10:29 a.m.), Fire Chief-Jack Burt (joined the meeting at 11:04 a.m.)
1. Call to Order and Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
a. Mayor McIver called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. and Council members were reminded to disclose any pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof that may arise during the meeting.
2. Approval of the Agenda
a. Approval of the Agenda
#04-01-2026
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
That the content of the agenda be approved as presented.
Carried
3. Adoption of the Minutes – a. Nil.
4. Public Meeting – a. Nil.
5. Consideration of Agenda Items
a. Treasurer Report No. TR 26-03
Re: 2026 Operating Budget – Draft 1
Public Works Manager, Troy Cameron, provided an overview of the 2026 Public Works Department Operating Budget, as follows;
· 911 Addressing
· Roads Maintenance
o Invasive Species Control
o Tree Trimming
o Ditch Maintenance
Council asked about the cost of purchasing or hiring out an excavator to assist with tree trimming activities.
Mr. Cameron continued with his presentation of the operating budget, providing an overview of the following items:
· Hardtop Maintenance
· Loosetop Maintenance
· Winter Control
· Beaver Dams
· Public Works Staffing
· Streetlights
Council asked about the budget for grader operations.
Treasurer, Teresa Shearer, provided an overview of the allocation of the grader operation budget to applicable servicing.
Council asked about the availability of trappers to assist with the increasing beaver issues.
Mr. Cameron noted that there are several trappers available.
Council asked about overhead wages.
Mr. Cameron noted that allocations to equipment based on fuel utilization for 2025 have not yet been completed.
Mr. Cameron continued with his presentation of the operating budget, providing an overview of the following:
· Lakewood Sewer
· Tobermory Sewer
· Lion’s Head Water System
· Small Water Systems
· Garbage Collections and Waste Diversions
· Waste Disposal Sites
· Agriculture and Reforestation
Council asked about the frequency that sewage rates are reviewed.
Mr. Cameron noted that sewage rates are reviewed approximately every 10 years and include ministry requirements.
Discussion ensued regarding the cost of curbside collection.
Mr. Cameron advised that a report will be presented to Council at a future meeting regarding options for garbage collection.
Council asked about tipping fees for the St. Edmunds Landfill following the transition to a transfer site.
Mr. Cameron noted the tipping fees will be comparable to those of Bruce County.
Parks and Facilities Manager, Mark Coleman, presented an overview of the following items regarding the 2026 Parks and Recreation Operating Budget;
· Airport
Council asked about the availability for the existing hangers and associated fees.
Mr. Coleman noted that the two existing hangars provide four spaces, all of which are currently occupied, at a rate of $160.00 per month.
Mr. Coleman continued with his presentation of the operating budget, including an overview of the following items:
· Tobermory Harbour
· Lion’s Head Harbour
· Doctors Clinic Lion’s Head
· Tobermory Medical Building
Council asked about janitorial services for the Medical Buildings.
Mr. Coleman confirmed janitorial services at both properties.
Mr. Coleman continued with his presentation of the operating budget, including an overview of the following items:
· Tobermory Meeting Place
· Parks and Recreation General Costs
o Hydro Costs
o Grass Cutting
o Waste Collection
o Landscaping and Beautification
o Vehicles
o Wildlife Management
o Programs and Facilities
· Tobermory Community Centre
· Lion’s Head Beach Park and Campground
· Lion’s Head Arena
Council asked staff to review the 2025 actuals and 2026 budgeted amounts regarding the Lion’s Head Arena wages.
Mr. Coleman continued with his presentation of the operating budget, including an overview of the following items:
· Tobermory Library
· Lion’s Head Library
· Ferndale Information Centre
· St. Edmunds Museum
· Lion’s Head Rotary Hall
· MNR House
· Spruce the Bruce
· Streetscaping
Council recessed for a break at 10:16 a.m. and resumed the meeting at 10:29 a.m.
Treasurer, Teresa Shearer, provided an overview of the following items regarding the 2026 Operating Budget:
· Payments in Lieu
· Unconditional Grants
· Conditional Grants
· Investment Income
· Council
· Administration
Council asked about potential investment opportunities.
Treasurer, Teresa Shearer, provided an overview of the Municipality’s current investment plans.
GIS/IT Manager, Kara Smith, provided an overview of the following items regarding the 2026 GIS/IT Operating Budget;
· Software and Licensing
· IT and Network Support
· Internet Services
· Training
Deputy Clerk, Lindsay Forbes, provided an overview of the 2026 Short-term Accommodation Licensing Program.
Council asked about the current number of licensed Short-term Accommodations.
Ms. Forbes advised that the there are approximately 368 licenses issued to date.
Treasurer, Teresa Shearer, provided an overview of the 2026 Policing Budget.
Chief Administrative Officer Peggy Van Mierlo-West provided an overview of the 2026 Building Budget, highlighting that the Building Department is self-sufficient and operates without impact on municipal taxation.
Council asked about the budgeted wages for 2026.
Ms. Van Mierlo-West provided an overview of the 2026 staffing allocations for the Building Department.
Chief Bylaw Officer, Carol Hopkins, provided an overview of the 2026 Bylaw Department Budget.
Parks and Facilities Manager, Mark Coleman, provided an overview of the 2026 Occupational Health and Safety Budget.
Clerk, Alexandra Croce, provided an overview of the 2026 Cemetery Budget.
Deputy Clerk, Lindsay Forbes, provided an overview of the 2026 Accessibility Budget.
Fire Chief, Jack Burt, joined the meeting at 11:04 a.m.
Fire Chief, Jack Burt, provided an overview of the 2026 Fire and Emergency Services and Emergency Planning Budgets.
Council asked about Asset Management and the anticipated timeline for the Water and Wastewater Master Plan.
Chief Administrative Officer Peggy Van Mierlo-West noted that an update on the Asset Management Plan is provided annually, and the Water and Wastewater Master Plan is expected to be presented to Council in April 2026.
Discussion ensued on the proposed parking lot at 3 Centennial Drive in Tobermory, including site location, project funding and anticipated transportation for visitors.
Council asked staff to review the project funding for the Lion’s Head Water System.
Council asked about a cost-recovery plan for the expansion of the Tobermory Sewer System.
Public Works Manager, Troy Cameron, noted that a report will be presented to Council at a future meeting.
Discussion ensued regarding a potential increase to Municipal Reserves.
Council asked about the status of the Big Tub Road Walking Path.
Mr. Cameron noted that a survey has been completed for the road and that a report will be presented to Council at a future meeting.
Discussion ensued regarding a potential increase to Roads Reserves.
#04-02-2026
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That Council receives staff report TR 26-03 2026 Operating Budget – Draft 1 for information.
Carried
6. Other Business – a. Nil.
7. Closed Session – a. Nil.
8. Reading of By-laws
a. By-Law No. 2026-13
Being A By-Law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Special Council Meeting of The Corporation of The Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula Held Monday, February 9, 2026
#04-03-2026
Moved by Councillor Aman Sohrab, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That the listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd, and 3rd reading, and enacted.
Carried
9. Adjournment
a. Motion to Adjourn
#04-04-2026
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That the meeting adjourns at 11:28 a.m.
Carried
