Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
ADELAIDE METCALFE - During the last council meeting on May 21, discussions were held concerning both the township’s first quarter building activity and the financial performance for April 2024, reflecting on the current economic and fiscal state of the region.
Wayne Ysebaert, the Deputy Chief Building Officer, presented a summary of building activities for the first quarter of 2024. The report indicated a slower start compared to the same period in the previous year, with no new dwelling starts in the first quarter of 2024 as opposed to five in 2023. Ysebaert attributed the slowdown to trends consistent across nearby municipalities but expressed optimism for an uptick in construction activities as the year progresses. The council, led by Mayor Sue Clarke, accepted the building activity report for informational purposes without further questions, signaling the
report’s comprehensive coverage of the township’s building sector’s current state.
Following the building activity discussion, Treasurer Johnny Pereira provided insights into the township’s budget performance as of April 2024. Pereira noted that the financials were aligning well with the approved budget, with expenses being particularly low due to the timing of public works projects which are generally slated for the summer months. He reassured council that both spending and revenue collection were on track.
Mayor Clarke highlighted a small but notable increase in park revenue, which she linked to greater park usage by residents, pointing out that this was a positive reflection of community engagement. The financial report, like the building activity summary, was received without extensive queries from the council members, underscoring the clear and straightforward presentation of the financial data.
In both discussions, councillors showed a focus on understanding the underlying trends affecting the township’s development and fiscal health. Both reports were moved to be accepted as informational by Councillor MacKinnon, seconded by Councillor Noordhof, and carried without dissent, indicating a collective council agreement on the course of municipal oversight and proactive management of Adelaide Metcalfe’s resources.
