Middlesex County Council Meeting Highlights – September 26, 2023
Council Highlights is an informal summary of selected actions taken by Middlesex County Council or Committee of the Whole at business meetings. The Council Highlights are not an official record of County Council proceedings. To view official agendas and minutes, please visit Council Meetings and Minutes.
Middlesex County acknowledges Truth and Reconciliation
In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Committee of the Whole welcomed Brian Hill, President of the N'Amerind (London) Friendship Centre, for a delegation on Truth and Reconciliation. Brian Hill is from the Oneida of the Thames First Nation and has been actively involved in the promotion and advancement of Urban Indigenous human rights for over 40 years. His work with the N'Amerind Friendship Centre has been instrumental in fostering unity, healing, and understanding within our region. Mr. Hill generously shared his own life experiences, providing invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs of local Indigenous communities. Middlesex County Council, recognizes the profound importance of working alongside Indigenous communities in our journey towards a future built on the cornerstones of mutual respect, understanding, and justice. This commitment is not without reflection on history. Middlesex County acknowledges a painful past, but it does so with the unwavering resolve to forge a brighter future filled with hope and a firm commitment to reconciliation. Middlesex County is committed to being a responsive service partner and fostering change to building a better future for all. To watch the delegation, see the Middlesex County Council - September 26, 2023 YouTube livestream.
2024 Budget Process Review
Following the 2023 Middlesex County Operating and Capital Budget process, Middlesex County is embarking on a transformative budget process review. This strategic initiative is designed to address several critical objectives, including enhancing transparency, streamlining efficiency, and ensuring accountability. Among the recommendations arising from the review, there are several notable enhancements. The review recommends advancing the budget schedule to finalize it in December of the preceding year or January of the budget year. This early finalization promotes fiscal discipline, efficient resource allocation, and improved service delivery. Also recommended, is creating a financial transparency portal on the County website, offering financial data, budget documents, performance metrics, and financial reports. Going forward, this review will overtly align the budget with the County's strategic plan to ensure that financial decisions support long-term goals. This comprehensive review emphasizes Middlesex County's dedication to responsible fiscal management, transparency, and efficient resource allocation, all in line with its strategic goals. County Council approved the recommended 2024 Budget Schedule and the direction to implement the budget process review recommendations. For more information, see the Budget Process Review & 2024 Budget Schedule.
County leaders to travel to Cambodia for FCM Women in Local Leadership partnership
Further to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Partnerships for Municipal Innovation - Women in Local Leadership (PMI-WILL) project, two Middlesex County leaders will be attending a second workshop in Cambodia later this year. The six-year project aims to empower women in local governance and improve the delivery of inclusive municipal services. Middlesex County's participation in this project was approved on February 8, 2022. The Workshop will be held in Kampot, Cambodia, from December 4-8, 2023 and the second installment aims to empower participants with gender-transformative approaches, fundraising skills, and the ability to secure funding for service improvement initiatives. The Middlesex team attending the workshop consists of Warden Cathy Burghardt-Jesson and the Director of Human Resources. The project is fully funded by the Canadian federal government through Global Affairs Canada. For more information, check out the PMI-WILL project and the Middlesex County website to stay up to date on the ongoing projects at Middlesex County.
Recommendations made by the Committee of the Whole at the September 26, 2023 meeting will be considered by County Council at its next regular meeting on October 10, 2023. The Legislative Services Department maintains the official record for all County government proceedings.