Interview with the Mayor - Nov 18th 2024

Monday, 18 November 2024 11:06

Woodstock City Council will discuss the Building Faster Fund and look at a proposed capital budget for 2025 this week.

WOODSTOCK - We have the money, now we just have to decide what to do with it.

The City of Woodstock received $1,990,736 from Ontario's Building Faster Fund last week after the City surpassed its housing target for 2023. This was a full circle moment for Mayor Jerry Acchione, who accepted Strong Mayor powers in October of last year so the City could become eligible for the infrastructure funding.

However, the money must be spent by March 2026 and the City must inform the province of its plans for the funds by November 29th, 2024. City staff have determined four spending options and they're listed in the agenda as follows:

1) Aldergrange and Finch Storm Water Management Pond Cleanouts and New Sidewalk construction

2) The County of Oxford to support new affordable housing within the City of Woodstock

3) The County of Oxford to support new attainable housing within the City of Woodstock

4) Partnering with the County of Oxford to acquire a property to support the creation of a new homelessness service centre

Mayor Acchione shares what he would like to see done with the funding.

"I would love to see us put it toward a permanent shelter for the homeless if at all possible and some transition homes. Option two in my mind would be to give it to Oxford County to get more rent geared to income housing. Truly affordable housing, not looking for any more single-family homes. I really want to get those housing numbers up."

This week's meeting is also going to be a very important one from a budget standpoint. Mayor Acchione says Council will have its first look at a draft capital budget for 2025 this week.

"There a proposed capital budget of $61,363,000 and that's including some pretty big sewer and water spends though because we're extending. So it still leaves us about $43,728,000 if you take out the water and wastewater."

The draft budget also includes a $2-million expansion for Southside Aquatic Centre and new spray pads at the Community Complex and the Cowan Sportsplex. You can look over the PowerPoint presentation online here.

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

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

- The Lighting of the Lights in Museum Square this past Friday.

- The Woodstock Santa Claus Parade on Saturday.

- Changes to Woodstock's Fowl By-law.

- A proposed zone change application that would greenlight a nine-unit apartment building at the corner of Wilson Street and Cedar Street.

You can listen to the full interview below: