Highlights from the Nov. 20 Council Meeting

Woodstock – Thursday’s Council meeting began at 7 p.m. and ended at 8 p.m. Agenda items of note include:

Capital Budget Overview

Staff presented an overview of the preliminary Capital Budget for 2026 as well as a four-year forecast through 2030. The proposed 2026 Capital Budget totals $38.56 million, including $9.16 million dedicated to sanitary sewer and watermain work. As in previous years, the majority of planned investments focus on maintaining and replacing existing infrastructure, with roughly 8 per cent allocated to new or growth-related projects.

The capital program is supported by a mix of funding sources, including contributions from the operating budget, reserve accounts, debt financing, County contributions through water and sewer rates, and external grants.

Some of the key projects proposed for 2026 include:

• Initial expansion of Southside Park
• Construction of a new park in the Sally Creek neighbourhood
• Replacement of indoor turf at Cowan Park Sportsplex
• Roof replacements at Southside Aquatic Centre and the Reeves Community Complex
• Demolition of 478–484 Dundas St.
• Purchase of a new aerial fire truck

The 2026 draft capital plan does not include the implementation of any Dundas Streetscape phases. If approved by Council, that work could resume as early as 2027.

Council will review the proposed capital budget and forecast in detail at a special meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. Councillors may propose adjustments based on the information presented. Adoption of the final 2026 Capital Budget is scheduled for the Dec. 11 Council meeting. The operating budget process will begin in February 2026. Information about the proposed budget and the scheduled budget meeting dates is available at www.cityofwoodstock.ca/budget

Annual Bedding Plant Order

Council committed funding in advance of the operating budget approval to confirm the City’s annual bedding plant order from its supplier. Annuals are used in high-impact locations including the downtown, on Vansittart Avenue and in some of the gardens in Southside Park. The City also uses perennials and native plants in many of its gardens throughout the City. The bedding plant order is just a portion of the total floral materials and supplies and the overall budget line for 2026 is not anticipated to change from the 2025 budget. The City’s 2026 order will include 20,589 plants.

Administrative Updates

There were several reports on the agenda aimed at streamlining processes and improving staff’s ability to respond to legislative changes. Council approved a bylaw delegating authority to the City Clerk to approve changes to the records retention schedule when necessary due to legislative changes or updates from the Ontario Municipal Records Management System (TOMRMS).

Council also approved changes to several human resources policies to clarify accountabilities, ensure consistency across departments and ensure alignment with collective agreements and budget frameworks.

Details about all the agenda items and topics discussed during the council meeting can be found at www.cityofwoodstock.ca/agendasandminutes. Council meetings are live streamed on the City’s YouTube channel and recordings of the meetings are posted online following the meetings.