As Elgin county council moves forward in its four-year term, all nine members must effectively work together for the benefit of residents.
That’s the rallying cry of Ed Ketchabaw, acclaimed as warden earlier this week in a ceremony held in the upgraded council chamber.
The first challenge for council will be the 2023 budget.
This year council approved a property tax levy of $40.6 million – a $1.5 million increase over the previous year.
The county will face a variety of challenges in the coming years, including increasing demands on infrastructure.
County council cannot be “All things to all people,” cautions Ketchabaw.
Ketchabaw stresses the county must abide by its mandate to provide municipal services in a cost-efficient manner.
He adds, improving the quality of life for residents of Elgin falls not only the shoulders of council, but requires the efforts of staff.
Ketchabaw says the county’s well-qualified staff are up to the challenge.
It’s all about seeking out efficiencies, asserts Ketchabaw.
One of the issues council and staff will have to wrestle with in the new year, reminds Ketchabaw, is the province’s Bill 23 the More Homes Built Faster Act which will impact lower-tier municipalities.
Written by Ian McCallum
