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190516 Regional Review MIN= David Calder facilitated the meeting. The meeting started at 6:05 p.m. Mayor Molnar provided opening remarks. David Calder, CAO provided an overview of the regional review processes and mandate and provided council’s position including resolutions of council. Registered Delegates Mark Renaud, Executive Director, BIA • Mark provided a presentation on a motion passed by the BIA at the May 14, 2019 board meeting. • The BIA proposes three new large separated municipalities – East Oxford, Northwest Oxford and South Oxford. • This proposal would reduce CAOs, Municipal Clerks from 9 to 3 and CBOs and Fire Chiefs from 8 to 3. • The BIA does not support a one tier Oxford. • They suggest by eliminating County operations there would be a cost saving of approximately $10,000,000 annually beginning in 2022. • The BIA proposes a new Oxford Services Agency would coordinate shared services such as transportation planning and would operate within the confines of the new 3 larger communities. • In addition the BIA recommends a boundary adjustment for Tavistock/North Oxford abutting the County of Perth and the Town of Tillsonburg/South Oxford abutting Norfolk and Elgin counties to streamline processes, red tap and planning and day to day efficiencies which would address operational pressures and growth. The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg Regional Review Public Meeting Thursday May 16, 2019 6:00 p.m. Seniors Auditorium, Community Centre NOTES Pubic Open House Regional Government Review May 16, 2019 – Notes - 2 - Open Mike Speakers Ken Abbot • Ken provided his comments stating he is not in favour of spending large amounts of dollars, $180,000 for consultants to do a service delivery review. Matt Scholtz • Matt stated that a one tier government will not save money for our community. Richard Laplant • Richard requested the BIA motion become available for public review. Darlene Covey • Darlene shared a concern with tasking CAO’s and Mayor’s with making recommendations regarding the Regional Review when in fact it could eliminate some of their jobs. • The CAO responded that they are tasked with making hard decisions that could reduce the number of CAO’s. They are working together to make things more efficient. Leni Scholtz • Leni requested information why Oxford was part of the review when other regional governments were much larger. • The CAO explained that Oxford County was considered a regional government and all regional governments in the Province are under review. Shane Curtis • The Chamber of Commerce and the Tillsonburg Kinsmen Club will be submitting directly to the Province. • He was concerned as the Kinsmen Club is the only Kinsmen club in Oxford County and they raise money for this community. If there was a single tier, will there still be a drive to raise money if all the focus may land in the Woodstock area? Jesse Goossens • Jesse stated his concern for the lack of local attention to the review as Tillsonburg could loose its identify. Marcel Rosehart • Marcel stated that the current government is moving at a very fast pase with merging health units as well as changes affecting EMS and Police services. • How will council be dealing with the changes outside of the review? • The province has not given enough time to react to the review. Pubic Open House Regional Government Review May 16, 2019 – Notes - 3 - • Should Council stop building or build because someone else will have to take care of it? Dan Chute • Dan was the Warden at the past amalgamations with the County of Elgin. • He stated that as we are fragmented workloads will stay and or increase. • Costs are not going down and suggests that we stand and fight as Oxford has the best system of them all. • Local participation is limited as Staff and Councils are removed. • The current two tier system in Elgin is working. • He suggests that we pay attention to the rate payers and bring their voice to County council. • Be careful as the level of governance moves up the ladder and there are reduced CAOs and Politicians – they will have more to do as they are looking after more people which means higher salaries. Also more support staff would be required. • Taxpayers will be paying for those upgrades. Mayor Molnar provided a few closing remarks. David Calder adjourned the meeting at 6: 53 p.m.