Council Achievements

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During this term of council there were many significant accomplishments in the areas of, Fiscal Responsibility, Community and Infrastructure, Safety and Housing and Environmental. 

• Completed and enacted a comprehensive 2024 Asset Management Plan. The plan maps the condition of roughly $250 million in local assets to guarantee strategic infrastructure funding.
• Implemented Quarterly Reporting to keep a closer eye on municipal spending as well as identifying any gaps in budget spending.
• Continued annual third party municipal budget review audits in order to identify any financial pitfalls and course correct if identified.

• Developed and implemented the 2022-2026 Community Strategic Plan.
• Approved and committed $600,000 to the Open Spaces Master Plan Trail System Development- Lakehurst Hall Trailhead lower bowl development of which approximately 95% of the $200,000 cost was funded by a Trillium Foundation Grant.
• Approved the Community Improvement Plan, Buckhorn.
• Approved a Parking Strategy for downtown Buckhorn parking.
• Developed and implemented a Short Term Rental Accommodation Registration Policy.
• Distributed over $60,000 annually ($66,720 in 2026) through the Community Grant Program to support local non-profits and volunteer groups.

• Passed uniform municipal-wide Development Charges by-laws to align with provincial legislation- More Homes Built Faster Act.
• Approved the Recreation Department recommendation to systematically replace and upgrade Trent Lakes utility infrastructure to transition municipal halls into reliable emergency relief shelters. 
• Developed and enacted Additional Residential Unit policy enabling the building and/or conversion of outbuildings into additional living spaces allowing residents to age in place. Short Term Rental Accommodations excluded.
• Initiated an extensive municipal Comprehensive Zoning By-Law Update to harmonize local land use with the County Official Plan and recent provincial legislative shifts.
• Approved the building of a new combination Roads/Parks and Recreation Depot on County Road 49 as well as a new build of a combination Fire Hall/Roads Depot in Buckhorn. County Road 49 project was completed this term and the Buckhorn Fire/Roads build will be completed prior to the end of 2026. Both these projects were necessary to maintain a high level of safety for our residents as well as factoring in projected growth with new housing developments in the plans for Buckhorn as well as County Road 49.