Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
ADELAIDE METCALFE - Council worked through a series of financial and community-focused staff reports during its November 17 meeting, including preparations for the 2025 year-end audit, approval of the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment, and decisions on the annual Council Grant Program.
Treasurer Johnny Pereira opened the staff reports section with the 2025 year-end audit planning update. He reminded council that under the Municipal Act, municipalities are required to appoint an auditor to review accounts and express an opinion on financial statements. “In 2021, an RFP for Audit Services was issued and Graham Scott Enns was awarded the contract for audit years from 2021 through 2025,” he said.
Pereira noted that the report included two annual documents from the auditors: the audit planning letter, which outlines scope, timing, and key risk areas, and the engagement letter confirming the audit terms. “Both documents are standard documents received annually, and require the mayor to sign off on behalf of the township,” he said. The total cost, budgeted for 2025, is $25,800 plus HST.
With no questions from council, the recommendation to receive the audit documents and authorize the mayor’s signature carried unanimously.
Council then turned to the 2026 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) report covering the Township’s three compensation programs: staff, council remuneration, and volunteer firefighters. Pereira explained that municipalities “regularly age their programs yearly using a cost-of-living factor,” relying on comparator municipalities and the Consumer Price Index.
“Based on desk research, 1.7 and 2% were common cost-of-living increases for 2026,” he told council, adding that Ontario’s September-to-September CPI increase was also 2%. He said the recommended 2% adjustment supports attraction and retention efforts and aligns with the Township’s “well-oiled machine philosophy.” The adjustment would carry an estimated budget impact of $27,300.
With no discussion from council members, the 2% COLA for 2026 was approved with pre-budget authorization to streamline payroll processes.
Pereira’s final report outlined the 2026 Council Grant Program, which accepts applications from community organizations seeking financial or in-kind support. The Township received two applications this year: one from the Strathroy Hometown Festival and another from the Kerwood Adelaide Metcalfe Optimist Club.
The Strathroy Hometown Festival’s request for $10,000 was deemed ineligible because the event is held outside Adelaide Metcalfe. The Optimist Club requested $5,900, along with several in-kind contributions such as park and pavilion usage and printing for promotional materials. Pereira noted that after applying the Township’s fees and charges by-law, the in-kind contributions exceeded policy limits. “Staff recommends taking a hybrid approach here and reducing the cash request by the overage of in-kind contributions,” he said. Staff recommended awarding $4,500 and approving the in-kind support as requested.
Councillor Andrew Campbell asked about the program’s budget impact in past years, and Pereira noted that last year’s total was “around $4,750.”
Council voted unanimously to approve the $4,500 grant, authorize in-kind contributions, and direct staff to issue payment in January 2026.
