Highlights from the May 21 Council Meeting

Thursday’s Council meeting got underway at 7 p.m. with a proclamation from Mayor Acchione for National AccessAbility Week, which takes place May 31 – June 6, 2026.

The Accessibility Advisory Committee also presented the 2026 Donna Burleigh Accessibility Achievement Awards to three local organizations that have made significant achievements in reducing or eliminating barriers for people with disabilities:

• Crafty Corner Tea Room
• Woodstock Navy Vets
• Your Farm Market

2026 Tax Rates

Council approved the final tax rates and installment due dates for 2026. The residential tax rate increase for the City portion of the tax bill is 4.11 per cent, which represents an increase of $132.87 on the average home valued at $271,125. The County’s residential tax rate increase for 2026 is 5.2 per cent, while the Education rate is unchanged from 2025. The full tax rate schedule can be found in the meeting agenda.

The remaining property tax due dates for the year are:

• May 29, 2026
• Aug. 31, 2026
• Oct. 30, 2026
  

For more information, visit www.cityofwoodstock.ca/payingtaxes.  

Asphalt Program Tender

Council awarded the tender for the annual asphalt program. Each year the City completes asphalt resurfacing to preserve roads where the underground infrastructure is in good condition and applies the final layer of surface asphalt on recently reconstructed roads. These projects typically take one to two weeks to complete. You can find the list of streets included in the program and the anticipated construction dates at www.cityofwoodstock.ca/roadmaintenance.

Food Insecurity Funding Request

Council approved $2,100 from the Community and Social Well-Being Reserve to support the creation of a new Little Free Pantry at the Woodstock Public Library. The pantry will provide 24/7 access to essential food, hygiene products and seasonal supplies for residents experiencing food insecurity. The funding will go towards construction of the pantry with durable, weather-resistant materials as well as items to stock the pantry for the first year and a half.

Bird Friendly Designation

Council supported plans for a public engagement process to select an official bird for the City of Woodstock. Earlier this month, Woodstock was designated as a Bird Friendly City by Nature Canada. This national certification program recognizes municipalities that are taking actions to reduce threats to birds, protect and restore habitats, and engage the community through ongoing education and outreach.

The Woodstock Environmental Advisory Committee has proposed a shortlist of three birds for consideration as the City’s official bird:

• Eastern Goldfinch
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Song Sparrow

Residents will be invited to vote through an online poll or in person at City Hall from June 3 – July 2, 2026. More information about the shortlisted birds and how to vote will be shared at www.letstalkwoodstock.ca and on the City’s social media channels in the coming days.

For more information about the items above, or any of the other topics discussed during the council meeting, visit www.cityofwoodstock.ca/agendasandminutes. Council meetings are live streamed on the City’s YouTube channel and recordings of the meetings are also posted online following the meetings.