Committee and Council Highlights - July

Collen Kennedy presented the organization’s 2025 survey results overview, their wake management strategies and some collaborative solutions.

Councillor Roberts and Councillor Edwards put a Resolution forward for consideration regarding the need for funding at Hospice Muskoka in order to maintain their current level of operations. Donna Kearney, the CEO of Hospice Muskoka presented public comments to Committee about why they have a funding shortfall and why their services are so important to Muskoka. Committee voted unanimously in favour of the Resolution to request funding from the Province of Ontario.

Glenn Ventrcek from BDO presented the 2025 audited consolidated financial statements for the Township. Staff also presented the year-end results prepared under the Municipal Act. Committee approved the audited financial statements and authorized a transfer of $720,934 from the Tax Stabilization Reserve to cover the 2025 Municipal Act operating deficit for the 2025 fiscal year.

On June 10, 2026, the General Finance Committee had some introductory discussion and questions regarding the Public Works Yard Location Study and directed staff to return the matter to the next meeting for further discussion surrounding a preferred alternative. This report gave an overview of the finalized study and based on that and the resulting discussion, Committee voted to proceed with Option 3: Modernize Existing Facilities.

This report provided an overview of the proposed 2026-2031 Township of Muskoka Lakes Economic Development Strategy, which identifies several strategic actions to support economic development, tourism, and municipal infrastructure development. Committee voted in favour of the Strategy as presented.

This report provided an overview of some identified errors in Parking By-law 2022-043 and proposed a Draft Parking By-law Amendment to resolve identified errors, enhance enforceability and add new parking restrictions to address safety concerns. Committee chose to forward the housekeeping update to the by-law to Council for final approval.

This legislated annual review regarding the Asset Management Planning Progress and the Asset Levels of Service that was adopted by Council in 2025 showed that most levels of service remain static, but a few improvements were noted. The key areas of improvement include: culture, sport and recreation, transportation, information technology and emergency services.

This informational report provided an overview of the damage to municipally owned property during the 2026 spring freshet and flooding that impacted the Township and property owners and a comparison between the 2019 and 2026 floods in relation to damage sustained.

This report outlined proposed updates to the current Fees and Charges By-law for Community Centre and Arena rentals to be effective January 1, 2027 and September 1, 2027, respectively. Staff completed a review of the rates and recommended that most Community Centre fees remain unchanged; rather, they focused on clarifying which groups and rental types are eligible to receive fee waivers. Amongst other changes, private facility rental fees were recommended to be reinstated. Committee voted in favour of staff's recommendations.

Committee voted to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the lease agreement with Muskoka Lakes Snow Trails Association for a storage building on Township property.

Jake Knowles presented to Committee regarding the final phase of the GIS Technician pilot project. Some of the notable work completed include: Operational Services Geospatial Data Review, Streetlight Inspection App, Community Fire Risk Portal, Fire Alarm Campaign Survey App, Improvements to the Flooding App and Short Term Rentals mapping and integration with the short term rental software. The report was provided for information only.

Committee approved the cancellation of the purchase of 10 units of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and directed that the funds allocated from the Fire Reserve Fund be transferred to the 2026 Fire Operating Budget to offset costs related to service member training and equipment repairs. Staff recommended the cancellation because the current inventory of equipment meets the regulatory standard and not purchasing the units this year will not result in any negative impacts to the service level or increased risk to firefighters. 

Committee approved extensions for completion of the CIP grant projects at the Bala Bay Inn and Muskoka Lumber Bala.

This informational report provided an overview of the By-law Division’s activities from January to June of 2026. The report highlighted that there is a 46% increase in investigations commenced compared to the same period in 2025.  Updates were also provided regarding Short Term Rental Accommodations (STRAs), service levels, by-law updates, community outreach and continuous improvement.