Lanark County Council has asked staff to prepare an application for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Climate Ready Plans and Processes program. The application is expected to be submitted this fall.

Climate and Environmental Coordinator Elizabeth Boldt outlined the ...program at the recent public works committee meeting. The 2026 budget includes funds to hire a consultant to create a county-wide climate adaption plan that would capture risks and vulnerabilities related to climate change and outline actions to adjust to a changing climate.

Boldt explained FCM’s program could provide additional funding to complete the vulnerability and risk assessment and adaption planning through a cost-shared grant up to $105,000. The application would include hiring a consultant to do the assessment and mapping, identify interdepartmental county goals to reduce vulnerability to climate impacts (e.g., priority improvements for increased flood and storm intensity, building upgrades, emergency planning), and identify municipality-specific adaptation goals (e.g., flood management system upgrades, building improvements, heating/cooling centres, etc.).

Local municipalities will be invited to participate in and provide letters of support for the application, which could result in accessing expertise and creating municipality-specific goals, costs savings, consistency across local climate planning efforts, and future adaptation funding.

Lanark County Council has authorized entering into an agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management Inc. to establish an umbrella fleet services contract that would also give local municipalities the option to enter into their own agreements under the same terms and conditions as the county without ...needing to meet the minimum fleet size threshold.

At the recent public works committee meeting, Director Sean Derouin explained the program provides access to competitive fleet management, procurement and financing options. Enterprise Fleet Management Inc. provides a range of service to public- and private-sector organizations with light- and medium-duty vehicle fleets, including analysis and lifecycle planning, vehicle purchase or leasing, financing options, maintenance management and coordination, fuel management programs, safety and telematics supports, and vehicle resale and remarketing at end of life.

Derouin outlined the company’s credentials and competitive procurement processes, noting the arrangement is flexible, limits long-term contractual risk and does not have a fixed fleet size, minimum spend or volume commitment. It would allow the county to access group purchasing power as well.

He noted their lifecycle replacement approach aims to minimize escalating maintenance and repair costs, reduce service downtime and manage risk as vehicles age, resulting in a lower total cost of ownership over the life of the fleet. “The maintenance management program is intended for organizations that continue to manage some service work internally, which would apply to public works.” Enterprise would coordinate repairs if outside service is required, and there is also a full maintenance program for departments that do not employ a mechanic, such as housing.

“The program provides a structured framework to improve fleet planning, replacement timing and total lifecycle cost management while preserving full council control over fleet size, budgets and ownership decisions,” he said, adding it meets Buy Ontario requirements and can support local dealerships and address seasonal needs.