Farming and affordability was front and centre a the final Prince Edward County meeting of the term, last night.
Two Councillors brought forward a motion to have agricultural buildings exempt from paying development charges. Third-generation dairy farmer David Prinzen told Council, that putting up a new barn this year, resulted in $33,000 of development charges along. Another $1,800 in development charges on top of that for a concrete manure pit. That together – more money than he made last year. Councillors around the table wanted to help and eliminate the charges altogether, but were unable to do much due to their lame duck status, which prohibits them from impacting any finances above $50,000. In the end, a staff report about a path forward to eliminate the development charges for farmers, will be brought back to council early next year. Council did decided to stop actually collecting development charges for farm properties with new farm buildings on the go. The new Prince Edward County Council takes control next week.
Prince Edward County has joined a growing list of Eastern Ontario municipalities, not happy with VIA rail cutting back on service.
Councillor Kate MacNaughton’s motioned passed. MacNaughton is calling on VIA Rail to stop cutting back services, and help facilitate more trains. Adding that it would help with promoting climate change efforts, getting more vehicles off the road, and being a reliable option for people. A letter will be sent to Prime Minister Mark Carney, the federal transportation minister, Bay of Quinte MP Chris Malette, and all other municipalities across Ontario.
Loyalist Colleges’ Centre For Healthy Communities continues to work with Prince Edward County.
Council heard a presentation about steps to update the county’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. Ann VanVlack from the County Foundation, was joined by Kurstin Salisbury, from Loyalist College. The Loyalist team has been working with the County Foundation, and municipality to update the current plan that will take them into 2031. The pair revealed that the latest round of public consultations done over the summer, revealed that people value connecting with one-another, and efforts to make life more affordable. A second-public consultation process will start next Thursday. Council will hear another update early next year.
The meeting marked the end of Mayor Steve Ferguson’s political career after 12-years serving on county council.
First as a councillor, and eight years as Mayor. Ferguson wrapped up the meeting by personally thanking and shining the spotlight on each councillor, and highlighting key staff. He says the last four-years have been busy, and he is proud that council tackled big items, including securing funding for County Road 49, getting the roundabout approved at the intersection of Highway 62 and County Road 1, and seeing the new Picton Hospital as a reality, and not just a dream.
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