Sunday January 2, 2011

Ladies and Gentlemen

I hope that you have all safely arrived in 2011. After a brief flirtation with early spring temperatures, it looks like more snow ahead.

A relatively quiet week for the Town as we get back to work. The new County Council will take a first look at the 2011 County budget on Wednesday January 5^th at 9:00 am in Midhurst. The initial target is a 2% tax rate increase. Note: this increase will affect the tax levy paid by Midland to the County. It currently accounts for some 15% of your tax bill.

Then at 5:30 pm that same day your Council will meet at the NSSRC to discuss our own 2011 budget. At our last meeting before Christmas, Council was looking to keep our increase between 2% and 3%. At this meeting Council will be working with staff to identify where cost savings can be achieved.

You will be seeing an advertisement shortly inviting the citizens of Midland and Penetanguishene to a Public Consultation on our joint Urban Growth Node (UGN) designation. (see attached) The UGN is a creation of the province that is being used to direct development into urban areas. Beyond that there is little definition of what an UGN is or how it will impact designated communities. The Councils of Midland and Penetaguishene are inviting you to learn more about the UGN and help shape our future. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday January 19^th at 7:00 pm at the Brian Orser Hall in Penetanguishene.

Gord McKay