Flat Levy for Recovering Waste Management Costs
The County of Simcoe is responsible for the delivery of solid waste management services to all of its member municipalities, including the provision of curbside collection of the various waste and recyclable streams. In 2021, a new contract for curbside collection will be awarded.
This week, in an effort to ensure a uniform service across Simcoe County by the fairest means of recovering the cost of the curbside collection system, County Council directed staff to move towards a flat levy cost per serviced unit, rather than an assessment based charge for curbside waste collections, effective January 1, 2021, and that staff report back on operational details, a financial analysis and associated costs, moving forward.
County Development Charge Rebate Requests for Secondary Suites Program
Since 2008, the County has offered a rebate of its development charges as a financial incentive for the creation of affordable housing. County Council approved $200,000 in the 2020 budget to offset the County development charges paid by developers of affordable housing projects, including County-funded secondary units.
On June 6, 2019, Bill 108, the More Homes, More Choice Act received Royal Assent. This Bill includes extensive amendments to legislation as outlined in the Ontario Housing Supply Action Plan, including proposed amendments to the Development Charges Act. Under the proposed amendments, the Development Charges Act would provide that the creation of one second dwelling unit in prescribed classes of new residential buildings would be exempt from development charges.
As Bill 108 has yet to become law, this week, Council voted once again to give staff the authority to approve County Development Charge Rebate program requests for eligible Secondary Suites Program applicants.
Ontario’s Draft Forest Sector Strategy
On December 4, 2019, the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry (MNRF) posted a Draft Forest Sector Strategy on the Environmental Registry for public comment. The goal of the proposed strategy is “to sustainably grow the forest sector, create opportunity for Ontario families, support industry and encourage innovation and new investment, while ensuring the sustainability of forests.”
This week, Council endorsed a response to MNRF on behalf of the County in regards to this wide ranging and positive document which recognizes the robust, sustainable forest management practices in Ontario and seeks to enhance the many potential benefits from growing the forest industry, highlighting significant opportunities in south and central Ontario that remain overlooked and underutilized.
Solid Waste Management Facilities COVID-19 Update
From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the County has taken decisive steps to flatten the curve and slow community transmission to protect residents’ social, physical and financial well-being and ensure a speedy economic recovery post-COVID. In alignment with health guidelines to physical distance and protect staff, the County initially closed landfill and transfer stations to the public. On March 26, to support our small businesses and our residents’ urgent/essential waste disposal needs, the County reopened four landfills and transfer stations after initiating additional health protocols and necessary precautions.
This week, Council received a report on a second phase of reopenings scheduled to commence Monday, May 25, allowing two weeks to recuperate staff levels, implement additional safety measures, and provide adequate notice to site staff and the public on the site schedule changes. Several landfills and transfer stations will reopen and hours of operation will increase to 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to provide greater critical disposal options to County residents and businesses and reduce wait times at the four currently operating sites. For more details, go to simcoe.ca/covid19.
Correction Notice: Oro-Medonte McLean Park Initiative - Request for County Support for MZO
The May 5 issue of County Council highlights stated that Council voted to support the Oro-Medonte McLean Park initiative’s request for a Ministerial Zoning Order. On April 28, Council voted to defer back to staff for more information before making their decision on whether to approve the application for an MZO. This item was included on the May 12 agenda and was further deferred by County Council to the May 26 session.
