Committee and Council Highlights - January 2026

In early 2022, the Township successfully submitted a joint proposal with the Town of Huntsville and received provincial funding to modernize tax billing processes under the Municipal Modernization Program to implement an electronic delivery option for tax bills by email for residents. This informational report was presented to Committee to report that the program was ready to start.

The step by step guides and videos will be available on the website upon launch of the e-billing service, with more information to be available here at a future date: Property Taxes | Township of Muskoka Lakes.

Committee voted in favour of releasing the Peninsula Recreation Centre Donations in trust total of $4,880.79 to Mr. John Newton together with matching municipal funds for upgrades to the Peninsula Recreation Centre in order to make the bar serving area more accessible to the main hall.

This informational report provided an update on the Department's achievements, challenges, and statistics for 2025. It highlighted successes in Recruitment and Retention, Operations, Revenue, Equipment and Fleet, Training, Life Safety and Public Education, Fire Prevention and Emergency Management. It also provided a summary of the Emergency Calls for the Township noting that call types have been consistent for the past 5 years. Committee commended the department's successes.

Committee approved a new MOU to continue with Venture Muskoka, an economic development partnership between Muskoka municipalities. Venture Muskoka works collaboratively to advance mutually beneficial economic development projects with a regional impact.

Staff proposed several policy changes to the Municipal Grants Program, to provide greater clarity to applicants and align the program with the Township’s strategic priorities. Major changes include a new grant stream to support recurring community events and a new approval process for operating grants for organizations that extend municipal services. Committee voted to approve the policy changes.

Committee approved new MOUs with Muskoka Chautauqua, Bala Cranberry Festival and Muskoka Lakes Snow Trails Association. These organizations were approved for Operating Grants in the 2026 budget to support their services that benefit Township residents. The MOUs define the relationship between the Township and the organizations and are a requirement of the Municipal Grant Program.

Chief Murrell advised Committee that the Fire Department has been successful in obtaining a grant from the Office of the Fire Marshall for 2025-2026 in the amount of $164,400 to support firefighters across Muskoka Lakes. The funding will enhance firefighter health and safety, expand cancer prevention efforts, and improve responses to lithium-ion battery incidents.  The Fire Department has outlined the spending in the 2026 Budget, planning to  purchase specialized nozzles for lithium ion battery fires, add two extractors (washers) and continue in their second set of bunker gear program.

Committee received a report summarizing proposed draft amendments to the District of Muskoka Official Plan (MOP) including amongst others Environmental Resiliency and Lake System Health, which introduces more stringent, science-based protections for waterbodies and updated flood hazard policies. While Township staff generally support these initiatives, they seek clarification on several implementation details and note it will require future updates to the Township's Official Plan, Zoning By-law and other municipal by-laws.  Planning Committee directed that staff comments be forwarded onto the District for consideration. 

Committee raised a new item for discussion and approved a resolution directing staff to undertake an initial review and report back on the feasibility, implications, and potential scope and options of a contractor licensing program within the Township.