Interview with Mayor Jerry Acchione - September 16th 2024

Monday, 16 September 2024 10:03

The agenda for the next City Council meeting includes potential dates for budget discussions and what to do with the money made from the sale of the old Small Business Centre building.

WOODSTOCK - Budget season is right around the corner in the Friendly City.

Mayor Jerry Acchione says Woodstock City Council is looking at potential dates for 2025 Capital Budget discussions this fall and the 2025 Revenue Budget talks in the later winter/early spring.

"We are going to be starting the Capital Budget first on November 21st, 26th, 28th, and voting on that by December 12th. The 2025 Revenue Budget could be discussed February 20th, 25th, 27th, March 4th, March 6th, and hopefully vote on everything by March 20th."

Those dates will be discussed and voted on during the council meeting this Thursday.

Woodstock City Council will also have to decide what do to with the money it made off the sale of the old Woodstock Small Business Centre building on Dundas Street.

It sold for $432,009.44 and Acchione says council has to decide what's next.

"Though we knew it would go up for sale at some point this year, we weren't sure of the dollar value so we did not include it in the budgeting. So we have a really good opportunity here to put it towards debt, it towards a future project, and decide as a council where to put that money."

The Small Business Centre moved into the Market Centre building last month, and there is no word as to what the new owners will do with the old building located at 453 Dundas Street.

Thursday's City Council meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. and it will be livestreamed on the City of Woodstock YouTube page. You can also find the meeting agenda online here.

During his interview with Dan and Marcie this morning, Mayor Acchione also discussed the following:

- The Woodstock Navy Vets big win during their home opener at Southwood Arena Friday night.

- Attending the WDDS car show and flea market on Saturday, in addition to the big anniversary celebration at Adams Building Supply.

- How he participated in the Woodstock Terry Fox Run in Southside Park yesterday.

- How the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has put together a document that highlights the issue of homelessness and what municipalities can do to get people out of encampments and into housing.

- The preliminary work around Southside Pond and when the dredging should begin.

You can listen to the full interview below: