Georgian Bluffs Regular Council — Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Water rates: Council held a required public meeting on a draft rate study covering four municipal water systems — East Linton, Shell Lake, Oxenden, and Pottawatomie. Presented by DFA Infrastructure International, the study recommends a uniform 5.5% annual increase beginning in 2027 to cover operating costs, capital reserves, and debt servicing. Without the uniform approach, per-system increases would have ranged from 4% to 37%. A council-approved $2.5-million Pottawatomie supply project — funded in part by $1.5 million in long-term debt — is included in the study but requires additional council approvals before proceeding. Resident John Gibson, who says he has raised the Pottawatomie water issue before three mayors and four councils over nine years, alleged the township has spent more than $500,000 on studies without action and warned residents may seek legal remedies. Staff will report back, targeting a November meeting.
Committee governance: Council voted to exit four external committees effective the new council term: the Community Schools Alliance, Multi-Municipal Energy Working Group, Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee, and Southwestern Ontario Isotope Coalition. A separate motion carried requiring all committee appointments going forward to provide establishing documents, agendas, minutes, and a formal reporting mechanism back to council; honoraria will not be paid where committees fail to meet or lack governance documentation. Staff directed to amend the remuneration policy accordingly.
Integrity commissioner: Council authorized a three-year retainer with Lauren Cheating of Brittain Advocates Strategic Legal Counsel as incoming integrity commissioner, effective November 2026, following a joint Grey County procurement that drew five proponents.
Zoning: Two zoning by-laws passed. By-law 2026-051 permits “The Wellness Farm” — a personal-services and wellness studio — in a 172.4 sq m accessory building at 240185 Wilcox Side Road. By-law 2026-050 reduces minimum frontages for a lot severance at 442538 Concession 21 and applies a holding provision on environmentally sensitive lands.
Investment policy: By-law 2026-053 replaces the township’s investment policy, setting a minimum 5% allocation to ESG-eligible investments including green bonds.
Other actions: Council sent a letter supporting a governance review of conservation authority board structures and endorsed correspondence calling on the province to address Ontario Land Tribunal and Ontario Pension Board cost pressures — the latter estimated to add roughly $260,000 to the township levy at a 10% increase. Speed limits on Church Side Road West and Concession 14 were reduced to 50 km/h approaching Emory Bridge. The Kemble drainage issue was deferred to the incoming council. Councillors Covey and Coburn each addressed council at what they described as their final meeting.