Committee and Council Highlights - September 2025

Mr. Stevens, Mr. Gravelle and Dr. Cross made a presentation to Committee regarding a request for $3000-$5000 in funding annually to support the cost of recruiting health care workers in the area. Committee chose not to put forward a resolution in support of providing the requested support to MAOHT.

The purpose of this policy is to promote the conversion of physical records to digital records, so they are easily accessible, retrievable, searchable and preserved in a secure manner, while also reducing physical storage space demands. Committee recommended approval of the policy.

The report provided a recommended 2026 Council and Committee calendar for Committees consideration. Due to a number of events in 2026, including the Municipal Election, Committee agreed to a revised calendar, removing all meetings in August and adjusting the meeting dates in October and November. 

A revised Paid Time Off policy was endorsed by Committee.  The adjustments modify and enhance the benefit to increase flexibility and attractiveness for non union staff, while balancing affordability and service.

Committee approved the updates to the Procurement Policy that was originally adopted in 2004. The changes aimed to make the policy more user-friendly and efficient for staff, increase delegated authority thresholds so routine procurements can move forward without unnecessary delays and allow staff to work more effectively, reduce the frequency of reporting to Council which streamlines oversight while maintaining transparency, and provide more flexible procurement methods supporting modern approaches, including electronic bidding and innovative contract methods, while staying compliant with trade agreements and regulations.

Committee approved entering a revised Memorandum of Understanding with Venture Muskoka.  Venture Muskoka is an entity focused on regional economic development projects through its partnership with all lower-tier Municipalities as well as a number of other external partners within the District of Muskoka.   An MOU between the Township of Muskoka Lakes and Venture Muskoka has been in place since 2017 and the purpose of the revised MOU is to reflect the on-going supportive relationship and provide improved clarity and structure to the partnership. 

Committee received a report from the Economic Development and Strategic Initiatives Officer summarizing the results of the Bala Community Reserve Fund Survey.  The Bala Community Reserve Fund Survey was completed throughout the month of August 2025 and was intended to clarify the general preferences of the community for the use of the Reserve Fund. 

Upon receiving these results, Committee directed staff to come back to Committee with a recommended list of capital improvements that aligned with the community priorities identified in the survey. 

At Councillor Zavitz's request, Committee discussed how funding for the Hall Boards in the Township is allocated and used. No Resolution resulted from the discussion.

The Planning Committee received a presentation from Jayne McCaw of Jayne's Cottages regarding their experience in terms of short-term and long-term rentals and the challenges that her business is facing with the Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) Licensing By-law and related application requirements. Committee did not provide any direction to make any changes to the STRA By-law.