Council Meeting Highlights - February 3, 2026

Council authorized the Mayor and Clerk to enter into a “Team Grey” Memorandum of Understanding with County of Grey in support of economic development in Grey County.

Council directed staff to send letters of support of resolutions passed by other municipalities respecting:

• Enhanced school bus safety and the implementation of stop-arm camera systems.
• Call to action for justice and protection of Canada’s children.
• Province of Ontario to establish an Ontario Airport Capital Assistance Program. 

Council received a staff report that provided an overview on the 2025 summer aquatics program. Council directed staff to increase the cost of group lessons by five percent; and increase private and semi-private swim lessons by 10 percent each. Swimming lesson fees have not been updated since 2021. 

Council received a staff report regarding a developer request – land as development. Council directed staff to permit the use of land as security for development agreements, providing certain conditions are met. Any land used as security must have direct frontage on a fully maintained public highway; land without such frontage is not eligible. Land used for security purposes will be valued at 50 percent of its appraised value to mitigate financial risk to the Municipality.

Council approved the 2026 interim tax levy. The interim due dates are set for February 17 and May 19, 2026. Council also authorized temporary borrowing to support municipal operations and the completion of the new police station.

Council received a staff report regarding the 2026 Municipal Election and directed staff to bring forward an election sign bylaw and to update a bylaw respecting the use of municipal resources during an election. The next municipal election is October 26, 2026.

Council received a staff report regarding the Saugeen Municipal Airport cost sharing agreement and directed staff to bring forward a bylaw to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the updated Agreement. The updated cost-sharing agreement will have each partner municipality contribute an equal share of 33.3 percent (an increase from West Grey’s current contribution of 26.74 percent) effective January 2027.

Council shared information about upcoming community events, including:

• Wing Night hosted by the Elmwood Community Service Association on February 13, 2026
• Frazzlefest events throughout West Grey on Family Day Weekend February 13 – 16, 2026
• Wing Night hosted by Neustadt Lions Club on February 28, 2026
• Neustadt Craft Show on May 2, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. 

The next regular Council meeting is February 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
For full council meeting details please visit:
westgrey.com/meetings