General Committee - Budget

That the November 18, 2025, General Committee- Budget Agenda be approved, as amended by the addendum, and to include delegations from:  Linda Pim regarding agenda item 9.1.1 2026 Budget  Brad Hains regarding agenda item 9.1.1 2026 Budget  Alan Axworthy regarding agenda item 9.1.1 2026 Budget  Debbe Crandall regarding agenda item 9.1.1 2026 Budget  Marty Harrison regarding agenda item 9.1.1 2026 Budget  Stephany Lanoue regarding agenda item 9.1.1 2026 Budget A recorded vote was taken as follows:

That the November 18, 2025, General Committee Meeting - Budget agenda be reordered as follows:  8.1 Proposed 2026 Budget Amendment Re: Adding a Bench Program  8.24 Proposed 2026 Budget Amendment Re: Installation of 4 Benches in James Walker Park  8.11 Proposed 2026 Budget Amendment Re: Adding a Shade Structure and Permanent Park Benches at Lina Marino Park  8.2 Proposed 2026 Budget Amendment Re: Adding a Physician Recruitment and Relocation Program  8.29 Proposed 2026 Budget Amendment Re: Removal of Change in Service Level 2026-059 - EC DEV Physician Recruitment - 2 FTE  8.21 Proposed 2026 Budget Amendment Re: Removal of Change in Service Level 2026-059 - Physician Recruitment and Retention Officer  8.5 Proposed 2026 Budget Amendment Re: Amending to Increase the Caledon Public Library Board's 2026 Core Capital Projects  8.6 Proposed 2026 Budget Amendment Re: Amending to Increase the Caledon Public Library Board's 2026 Changes in Service Level  8.7 Proposed 2026 Budget Amendment Re: Adding Capital Project 26-047 - Caledon Village Branch Refurbishment  8.8 Proposed 2026 Budget Amendment Re: Adding Finance and Human Resource Services Provided to the Caledon Public Library  8.9 Proposed 2026 Budget Amendment Re: Removing 2026-042 - Corporate Security Officers Service Level Increase and Capital Project 26-224 - Corporate Security Officers SUV  8.20 Proposed 2026 Budget Amendment Re: Amending Employment Length for Change in Service Level 2026-042 - Corporate Security Of

That Fees and Charges By-law 2024-106, as amended be repealed and replaced with the proposed 2026 Fees and Charges By-law attached as Schedule C to Staff Report 2025-0649 to take effect January 1, 2026. A recorded vote was taken as follows:

Whereas on July 23, 2024, Council directed staff to engage with the Caledon Agricultural Society to explore partnership opportunities for a community facility at the Caledon Fairgrounds; and Whereas the Town of Caledon's Strategic Plan and Recreation and Culture Strategy identify a need for increased indoor recreation space, particularly in Northwest Caledon; and Whereas the Caledon Agricultural Society has expressed interest in partnering with the Town to develop a community centre that would serve the needs of local residents; and Whereas the Town has established a Northwest Caledon Indoor Recreation Facility Reserve Fund, with the projected uncommitted balance valued at approximately $1,863,281 as of 2026; and Whereas the partnership model would leverage community fundraising efforts by the Caledon Agricultural Society to fund the balance of capital costs; Now therefore be it resolved that the 2026 Capital Budget be amended to include a new capital project: 26-XXX Northwest Caledon Community Facility Partnership - Caledon Agricultural Society Grounds, with project funding from the Northwest Caledon Indoor Recreation Facility Reserve Fund in the amount of $1,863,281. A recorded vote was taken as follows:

Whereas the Town of Caledon is committed to creating livable communities that contributes to the social and economic vitality of our municipality and works to strengthen community spaces and relationships; Now therefore be it resolved that staff be directed to include a bench program funded up to $50,000 to respond to bench requests in existing parks or on trails. General Committee – Budget Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 18, 2025 Page 6 of 20 A recorded vote was taken as follows:

That the Proposed 2026 Budget Amendment Re: Installation of to add the installation of 4 benches in James Walker Park be

That the 2026 budget be amended to add the installation of 4 benches in James Walker Park through the addition of $18,000 to the tax levy. A recorded vote was taken as follows:

That the motion be amended to insert language providing for “public consultation on the allocation of the funds.” A recorded vote was taken as follows:

Whereas shade structures are basic park amenities that the Town of Caledon is adding to all park classifications as part of standard service levels; and Whereas Lina Marino Park in Valleywood currently lacks a shade structure and does not meet current park service levels; and Whereas Lina Marino Park is heavily utilized during the summer months by the South Caledon Soccer Association, with park usage by many children and youth at least four evenings a week, in addition to many other community users; and Whereas the addition of a shade structure with permanent park benches installed in strategic locations throughout the park provides essential gathering and seating space for park users, which is a key recommendation of the Town's Parks Plan; and Whereas permanent benches strategically located throughout the park will enhance accessibility and safety for all residents, particularly seniors, families, and youth participants; and Whereas the shade structure will respond to climate change impacts by providing shade and refuge from summer sun, enhancing park safety and accessibility for all residents, particularly seniors; and Whereas while the Mayor's 2026 budget proposal includes park improvements in other communities across the Town, no park improvements are included in the Valleywood community; and Whereas the estimated cost for a medium-sized shade structure with concrete pad, installation, and up to six permanent park benches strategically located throughout the park is $165,

Whereas the Town of Caledon is facing a physician shortage crisis, with Caledon’s current physician to patient ratio at approximately 1 physician to 3,200 residents, with the Ontario recommended ratio at 1:1,000; and Whereas municipalities across Ontario are implementing physician recruitment programs to attract physicians to communities and address local need through community marketing, relocation incentives, and family settlement supports; and Whereas the Business Attraction & Investment Division is undertaking physician recruitment efforts in collaboration with community partners to address this need in 2026; Now therefore be it resolved that the 2026 budget be amended to add an operating expense of $200,000.00 to implement a physician recruitment and relocation program funded from the Tax Funded Contingency Reserve for 2026. A recorded vote was taken as follows:

Whereas physician recruitment affects not just Caledon but the broader region and province; and Whereas the Town of Caledon has already contributed $50,000 toward physician recruitment through a joint initiative with Dufferin County and Headwaters Health Care Centre; and Whereas healthcare services, including physician recruitment, are coordinated by the Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team, which operates across municipal boundaries; and Whereas the Town of Caledon is committed to supporting its residents’ access to healthcare while ensuring responsible use of taxpayer dollars; Now therefore be it resolved that Council remove the proposed allocation for Change in Service Level 2026-059 (EC DEV Physician Recruitment - 2 FTE) in the amount of $284,073 from the Town of Caledon’s 2026 Budget. A recorded vote was taken as follows:

That the 2026 budget be amended to add one of the removed positions of Physician Recruitment and Retention Officer, FTE in the amount of $144,834 A recorded vote was taken as follows:

Whereas the Caledon Public Library Board is tasked with preparing budget estimates for Council under Section 24 of the Public Libraries Act; and Whereas the Library Board has approved a budget that is informed by community need and includes the funds required to maintain service levels and respond to Caledon's growth as per the recommendations of the Library's Comprehensive Growth Plan; and Whereas the Town's 2026 budget includes only $500,000 in tax-funded capital in support of library services; and Whereas no funds to purchase, maintain or repair library hardware and information technology tools are included in the Town's 2026 budget; and Whereas no funds to mitigate cyber-security risks and supplement the Library's IT Department's ongoing cyber security efforts are included in the Town's 2026 budget; and Whereas the Town's published 2026 budget highlights reference a focus on "investing in modern, cyber-secure technology"; and Whereas the absence of an amendment to fund the Library Board's proposed core capital investments will result in direct cuts to library services and reduce capital funding to levels last experienced in 2016; and Whereas the absence of an amendment to fund the Library Board's recommended core capital projects will result in the cancellation of digital collections that are in high demand by Caledon residents; and Whereas the absence of an amendment to fund the Library Board's recommended core capital projects will prevent the required replacement of st

That the motion be amended to add the following clause: 1. That capital project 26-047 be contingent upon staff and the Caledon Agricultural Society concluding discussions regarding the feasibility of cohabiting in the same facility. A recorded vote was taken as follows:

Whereas the proposed 2026 budget includes service level change request 2026-042 to create two full-time Corporate Security Officer positions at a cost of $155,541, plus capital project 26-224 for a security vehicle at $72,000; and Whereas Council has not had the opportunity to evaluate alternative approaches to enhanced security services, including contracted security services; and Whereas a comprehensive comparative analysis of in-house versus contracted security services—evaluating all costs, risks, and operational considerations—would better inform Council's decision-making on security service delivery models; and Whereas prudent fiscal management requires that Council have complete information about service delivery alternatives before committing to multi-year staffing and operational costs; Now therefore be it resolved that service level change request 2026-042 ("Corporate Security Officers") and capital project 26-224 ("Corporate Security Officers SUV") be eliminated from the proposed 2026 Corporate Services budget. A recorded vote was taken as follows:

Whereas the proposed 2026 Town of Caledon capital budget includes Project 26-136, “Town Hall Improvements,” with a total allocation of $810,000 to be funded by $184,900 from taxes, $220,100 from the Infrastructure Levy Reserve, and $405,000 from other sources; Now therefore be it resolved that Project 26-136 “Town Hall Improvements” in the amount of $810,000 be removed from the 2026 capital budget and that all associated funding, including tax, Infrastructure Levy Reserve, and other sources, be eliminated from the 2026 budget accordingly. A recorded vote was taken as follows:

That the 2026 budget be amended to change the funding source from debenture to the Caledon Asset Replacement Fund in the amount of $405,000. General Committee – Budget Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 18, 2025 Page 16 of 20 A recorded vote was taken as follows:

Whereas the proposed 2026 budget includes $24,000,000 in capital spending for Project 25-160 (Provincial Offences Court Expansion), as part of a total project cost of $33,512,571; and Whereas these courts handle traffic tickets, by-law violations, and other provincial offences, and the Province transferred responsibility for operating and paying for these courts to local governments, including Caledon, in the late 1990s; and Whereas Council has not received a comprehensive staff report detailing all available options, funding sources, partnership opportunities with other municipalities or the Province, long-term operating costs, and alternatives to the proposed project scope and location; and Whereas prudent fiscal management requires thorough analysis and evaluation of all options before committing to a capital project of this magnitude; Now therefore be it resolved that the $24,000,000 allocation for Project 25-160 (Provincial Offences Court Expansion) in the 2026 capital budget be

Whereas on September 9, 2025, Council approved a motion to approve "in principle" the development of a new community theatre at the Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness; and Whereas the September 9, 2025 Council motion specifically directed staff to report back to Council with a business case study, design concept, and detailed cost estimates for final approval prior to award of contract; and Whereas Council's September 9, 2025 motion made clear that final approval from Council would be required before proceeding with the project; and Whereas the 2026 budget includes Capital Project 26-219 (Performing Arts Centre) totaling $1,500,000 in 2026 and forecasting $18,250,000 in 2027, before Council has received the required business case study or given final approval; and Whereas forecasting $19.75 million for a project before Council has seen the business case or given final approval does not follow the direction that Council gave in September 2025; and Whereas Council and residents need to see the business case, understand the full costs (both to build and to operate annually), and evaluate partnership opportunities before committing nearly $20 million in taxpayer funds; Now therefore, be it resolved that the 2026 Budget be amended to remove Capital Project 26-219 (Performing Arts Centre); and Further that the $1,500,000 that was allocated for 2026 in Capital Project 26-219 remain in the Tax Stabilization Reserve. A recorded vote was taken as follows:

That the 2026 budget be amended to change the funding amount for this request (#26- 219) from $1 500 000 to $750 000 and also the source of funding be amended from the Tax Stabilization Reserve to the Tax Levy. General Committee – Budget Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 18, 2025 Page 18 of 20 A recorded vote was taken as follows:

Whereas the Town of Caledon recognizes the importance of supporting local business development, economic growth, and community partnerships that contribute to the vitality and sustainability of our municipality; and Whereas the Caledon Chamber of Commerce plays an essential role in fostering collaboration among local businesses, supporting entrepreneurship, and promoting economic opportunity across Caledon; and Whereas in 2025 the Town of Caledon provided $10,000 though a Service Level Agreement, administered through the Town of Caledon, Business Attraction & Investment Division which supported the Chamber in increasing their membership by nearly fifty percent; Now therefore be it resolved that staff be directed to include an allocation of $15,000 in the 2026 operating budget, funded by the Tax Levy, supported by a Service Level Agreement between the Town of Caledon and the Caledon Chamber of Commerce. Funds will support the Caledon Chamber of Commerce in its programs and initiatives that benefit the local business community. A recorded vote was taken as follows:

That the 2026 budget be amended to change the funding source from the tax levy to the Accessibility Reserve in the amount of $25,000. A recorded vote was taken as follows:

That the 2026 budget be amended to change the funding source from the tax levy to the Caledon Asset Replacement Fund in the amount of $200,000. A recorded vote was taken as follows:

That consideration of the remaining agenda items from the November 18, 2025, General Committee - Budget Meeting be adjourned to a General Committee - Budget Meeting on November 24, 2025, held as a hybrid meeting in the Council Chambers of Town Hall at 10:00 a.m.