Here’s what happened at the Tuesday, Oct. 15 meeting of Mississippi Mills council

Here’s a rundown of what happened at the Tuesday, Oct. 15 meeting of the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, as provided by the municipality.

At last night’s meeting, council approved the 2023 Audited Financial Statements by the municipality’s auditors for 2023, KPMG LLP. The audit was conducted during June and July 2024 and completed in August and September. The municipality remains in a positive financial position, with stable reserves. The cash position of the Municipality has decreased due to the continued investment in capital assets combined with an increase in the repayment of long-term debt year over year. Click the hyperlinks to view the KPMG LLP presentation and the full 2023 Audited Financial Statements.

Council also approved revisions to the Reserves and Reserve Funds Policy, which include adding a schedule for the purpose, use, target, and funding for each municipal reserve. This policy sets how the municipality’s reserves and reserve funds are maintained to ensure future liabilities can be met, capital assets and infrastructure are properly maintained or replaced, and to provide sufficient financial flexibility to respond to economic cycles or unanticipated financial requirements. The sustainability of the municipality’s programs and future replacement of assets and infrastructure requires planned contributions to reserves in the annual budget.

Council passed six by-law amendments to the municipality’s Zoning By-law to clarify provisions, correct technical errors to align with the Community Official Plan, and reflect current best practices in planning. The amendments relate to general housekeeping, definitions, permitted projections into required yards, earth energy systems, home-based business, and minimum parking space rates.

Committee of the Whole also heard the following items, which will be brought forward for approval at a future council meeting:

• Award of contract for Phase 1 of the Municipal Space Needs Assessment to Accent Building Sciences in the amount of $129,885.
• Proposed changes to the 2025 Fees and Charges By-law, including changes to reflect inflation and market rates compared to other Municipalities and to align the fees with the cost of providing the service.
• The status report on the Brown Lands Subdivision Application.
• A Notice of Motion from Councillor Jane Torrance directing staff to engage in further discussion with the developer of the Brown Lands Subdivision regarding a signalized intersection at County Road 29 to facilitate safe entry and exit from the proposed development.
• Quarterly Reports from the Corporate Services and Recreation departments.

Upcoming Meetings:

• Special Budget Meetings – Tuesday, Oct. 22, and Thursday, Oct. 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Hybrid Council Meeting – Nov. 5, 2024, 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to follow Council.