Written By Aina DeViet, Mayor of Middlesex Centre
At the Middlesex Centre (MXC) Mayor’s Breakfast on November 5, I provided an overview of our municipal projects and accomplishments for 2024. I’d like to share some of the news and progress on our Strategic Plan goals and objectives with you here as well!
At MXC, our focus on continuous improvement of processes and programs reflects our Strategic Plan value of “innovation.” A commitment to innovation means we look at opportunities to increase operational efficiency and effectiveness, ultimately reducing costs and improving services for residents.
One example of a process improvement involves measuring ice at our rinks, collecting data about how different users affect the quality of the ice,” and then adjusting how the Zamboni floods the ice as necessary based on each user’s history. Data collection used to consume hours of staff time every week. Now, using digital calipers connected to a tablet / smart phone, measuring ice depth takes 15 minutes per rink! Not only does this system take less time, but it also helps keep the ice in top condition and reduces energy use and wear-and-tear on the arenas’ refrigeration plants, resulting in overall budget savings.
Staff work with a variety of partners to enhance services and programs. The BGC London and the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario respectively, deliver programming for the Youth Centres in Ilderton and Komoka. Fanshawe College and Western University co-op students have an opportunity to “learn on the job” in our Engineering and Building Services departments, which in turn benefit from the projects those students complete during their work terms. By working with partners, we are creating win-win scenarios.
Partnerships forged by MXC Fire Services helps to manage costs. They are working in concert with neighbouring fire departments to conduct joint fire training sessions. Fire Services have also successfully received grants for a new multi-use emergency utility shelter and for safety education materials. In addition, as part of their focus on fire safety, the team has developed a series of videos residents can access on the MXC YouTube channel.
Many of you will know that staff have worked to improve transparency with respect to our financial status and budget process over the years. Municipal financial reports are available on the website, as is our annual budget process. A few years ago, we started our Open Budget, which allows anyone to access budget information instantly. You can review the current operating and capital budgets and compare data to previous years, learn more about infrastructure projects or see the draft budget for 2025. Tools like this help MXC residents stay informed, as they are able to access information wherever and whenever they want.
The municipality has been fortunate to receive funding from both the Province and the Government of Canada. Most recently, we received $492,715 from the Building Ontario Fund for the upcoming water main twinning on Glendon Drive. Provincial funds also support the Seniors Active Living Centres that offer programs at our local community centres. The Canada Healthy Communities Initiative, funded by the Government of Canada, is helping to fund the Komoka Youth Centre I mentioned earlier.
It has been a busy year and I am proud of MXC staff accomplishments in 2024! As we complete our 2025 budget and start our new projects, I also look forward to the move-in of our renovated municipal office in the first quarter of 2025. We’ll be providing details about our upcoming open house and encourage you to come for a visit!
