January 1, 2025

MAYOR’S ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S LETTER

I want to begin this letter by extending my deepest gratitude to the Westport Councillors, Staff, and community leaders who have worked to make Westport the wonderful community it is today. Through their dedication, we are experiencing a positive transformation. 

The list of accomplishments and projects completed in the past year is long. When I reviewed Council’s 2024 decisions, I was pleased that the yardsticks were moved on so many important pieces of work. Some of the policies include approving our new Official Plan, removing surface discharge as an option for the wastewater Environmental Assessment, updating the noise by-law, becoming a member of the new OPP Police Services Board, formalizing relationships with the Library Board and with Friends of the Arena, conducting an in-depth review of municipally owned facilities, undertaking a Development Charge study, implementing a new records management policy, and implementing a community grant policy.

Staff completed many capital and operational projects in 2024. These include the Lockwood Park washrooms, the lighting at the arena parking lot, and the Serenity Gardens. Staff secured a $190K grant for accessibility at the library, and street cleaning was brought in-house with the purchase of a sweeper attachment. Parks and Recreation increased its programming to include pickleball and implementing a walking track inside the arena. 

Looking ahead to 2025, our commitment to fiscal responsibility will remain a guiding principle, ensuring that we make prudent decisions that benefit the entire community. Early in 2025, the Village will begin issuing water/wastewater bills in-house. This decision results from a change in Rideau St. Lawrence’s business plan and has the least financial impact on Westport ratepayers. Bills will be separate – water/wastewater- on one bill payable at your bank or town hall and one for electricity payable at your bank.

Council has supported Staff’s recommendation and approved a third-party study on the feasibility of becoming a single-tier municipality. Beyond this proposal’s potential positive financial impacts, there is much to consider. I look forward to reviewing the consultant’s report later in 2025.

Budgeting for next year is not going to be easy. We need to increase the OPP budget by 8%. The Village has not been given any indication from the Ministry of Education on how much their portion of your tax bill will increase. The United Counties of Leeds & Grenville 2025 budget deliberations begin in January with a presumption of a 6.1% increase. Council plans to pass our budget in March, and we are preparing for the challenges ahead.

In 2023, Council passed its Comprehensive Communications Plan, demonstrating our commitment to transparency and community engagement. Staff drafted this plan based on the results of a public survey, where your suggestions and concerns were heard, and many were implemented. A follow-up survey in 2025 will help inform us if members of the public are receiving our communications. Whenever I hear someone say, “I didn’t know about that,” about an item from town hall, I wonder what other ways there are to keep people informed. When Town Hall circulates the survey in early 2025, please take some time to provide suggestions on how we can improve getting information to you.

The Village of Westport’s future is filled with promise and opportunity. In the coming year, let us continue to be a community that values our history while welcoming new residents and businesses. By working collaboratively, we carry these values with us, creating a future that reflects the strength and character of our community and building a strong, unified place we call home.

On behalf of Westport Council, Happy New Year!

Robin Jones

Mayor Robin Jones