Written By David Gomez
SOUTHWEST MIDDLESEX – Council approved measures tied to the 2026 municipal election process and the renewal of local animal control services during its April 8 meeting.
One report dealt with restrictions that can apply to municipal councils during an election year under Ontario’s Municipal Act. Clerk and Manager of Legislative Services Colleen Kelly told council there are “two periods during the election period in which the clerk determines if there are restrictions on council and their ability to make some of those decisions.”
Those restrictions can arise if it becomes impossible for enough current members of council to return after the election. Kelly explained that in Southwest Middlesex, the threshold would be when “it’s impossible for six members of the current council to be returning to the future council.”
If triggered, council would be limited in certain actions, including the appointment or removal of municipal officers, hiring or dismissing staff, disposing of municipal property valued above $50,000, and authorizing expenditures or liabilities exceeding $50,000.
Kelly said the municipality’s existing delegation of powers policy would allow the CAO to handle those matters if needed so operations can continue. “This is very typical, and this is what municipalities generally do, just so that business can continue during a time when council may be in a situation where they are restricted,” she said.
With no questions from council, the recommendation was approved.
Council then turned to the renewal of its animal control services agreement with the Southwest Middlesex Animal Shelter.
Kelly said the current arrangement has been in place for nearly a year and included annual renewal provisions beginning each May 1 if both parties agreed. The proposed change would establish an automatic annual renewal structure over the next three years, unless either side provides notice to end the agreement.
“The only thing that is effectively being changed in this is that we are just making it so that it will automatically renew every year on May 1 for a period of three years, unless either party decides to submit 90 days written notice,” she said.
All other terms of the agreement remain in place, Kelly added. Compensation under the contract has increased for the current year and would continue to be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index.
Mayor Allan Mayhew said the arrangement appeared positive, remarking that it “seems to be working out well.”
With no further discussion, council approved the recommendation to renew the agreement.
