April 22, 2025 Council Meeting Highlights

At its Regular Meeting on April 22, 2025, South Huron Council:

·         Received a delegation from the Huron Togetherness Project regarding their proposal for 2025 Canada Day Celebrations in South Huron as presented by Jonathon Roulston

·         Received staff reports on topics including:

o   Building and Planning department first quarter reporting

o   2024 fourth quarter operating budget variance

o   2025 council expenses as of March 31, 2025

o   2025 capital progress report – March 2025

o   Municipally significant event requests

§  Exeter RAM Rodeo

§  Kirkton Rumble

o   Council priorities first quarter workplan

o   Special powers and duties of the head of council

§  The Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022 added a new Part VI.1, titled Special Powers and Duties of the Head of Council, to each of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and the Municipal Act, 2001 (in Schedule 1 and 2 respectively).

§  A strong mayor system grants the head of council additional powers over and above those given to the other members of council. The mayor is provided with executive authority to make unilateral decisions and is not required to petition the support of a majority of the members of council.

§  Subject to any prescribed limitations, the head of council may delegate their powers and duties under Part VI.1 with respect to the chief administrative officer; organizational structure; local boards; and committees.

§  As Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act does not allow a municipality to “opt-out” of the strong mayor powers, processes must be in place to align with the new rules, even if they are not being used by the Mayor. As such, any required updates, such as those required to be made to the Procedure Bylaw, will be brought to Council at a later date.

§  Council discussed these changes and how they may impact South Huron

For a full review of the agendas, including items not listed here such as those under Communications, please see the video recording of these meetings on Youtube or read the official meeting minutes, which will be included in the next regular Council meeting agenda.