Oct. 18 2023 County Council Update

For immediate release

Oct. 18, 2023

Here are the highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held Oct. 18, 2023.

Youth Centres Provide Update: Lanark County councillors heard from the Coalition of Lanark County Youth Centres during a presentation at the community services committee meeting earlier this month. Jennifer Miller, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lanark County (BBBSLC) in Smiths Falls, spoke on behalf of youth centres in Perth, Carleton Place, Mississippi Mills and Lanark Highlands.

Miller noted that rural youth face a greater likelihood of lower levels of supervision, academic challenges, lack of transportation, increased use and access to drugs and alcohol, increased rates of poverty and increased mental health challenges than urban counterparts. She outlined the importance of youth centres, noting they are free and accessible; offer food, which is sometimes the only food a young person gets that day; offer a safe place with fun activities; are inclusive; and have youth workers to help youth with problems.

Miller said she has noted a big increase in the complexity of issues affecting youth in the last number of years. Statistics from the 2021 Wellbeing of Ontario Students Report showed 59 per cent of high school students feel depressed post pandemic, 47 per cent have experienced moderate to serious mental health distress, and 20 per cent had self-harmed in the past year.

The coalition has worked on several collaborative projects recently, including Food Security and Nutrition led by Mississippi Mills Youth Centre, Learning Loss led by Lanark Highlands Youth Centre, Increase Youth Centre’s Service Delivery Capacity led by Youth Action Kommittee, 2SLGBTQIA+ Rural Youth Toolkit led by BBBSLC, and an upcoming Lanark County Youth Dance led by Carleton Place Youth Centre.

Miller said from January to present there have been 9,720 visits to youth centres in Lanark County. More than 60 community partners offer services, programs and expertise to attendees. In 2023, more than 4,500 volunteer hours have been logged by community members and youth.

“Most of the funding we receive is tied to the delivery of specific programs and cannot be used to offset core costs, which include directors’ wages, rent, utilities, insurance and bookkeeping,” Miller said. “County funding covers a portion of these core costs, making it possible for us to leverage funds from other sources, develop partnerships, retain qualified staff and run a variety of programs and services for local youth.” Miller thanked council for its continued support.

For more information, contact Jasmin Ralph, Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1501.

Council Sets Priorities for Term: Lanark County Council has established its key priorities for the current term of council (2022 to 2026) following several discussions and a summary provided in August.

At the corporate services committee meeting earlier this month, CAO Kurt Greaves outlined the results of a ranking survey of priorities provided to councillors. Four categories were identified: “key priority” (needs action), “priority” (plan in place, important to move forward), “park for now” (discuss again at annual review) and “take off list” (not a priority).

Key priorities identified by council include:
• Workforce attraction/targeted marketing campaign
• Planning Department (implementing priorities that were identified by KPMG for the department)
• Asset Management Plan (commitment to county plan)
• Roadside safety

Priorities include:
• Lanark Lodge (modernization and sustainability)
• Trail promotion and tourism
• Municipal shared services (building departments, animal control, joint tenders)
• Cell and internet expansion (monitor to ensure coverage)
• Climate/environmental (invasive species control – protect biodiversity promote tourism)
• Social housing (support attainable housing solutions)
• Cost control (minimize budget increases and improve efficiency)
• Hospital funding (continue to fund hospitals in the county)

Under “park for now” were Archives Lanark, public transportation (county-wide model) and lobbying for basic income. No items were removed from the summary list.

“The priorities will feed the county’s activities and budget priorities over the council term,” explained Greaves, adding they would be reviewed annually. For more information, contact Kurt Greaves, CAO, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1101.

Upcoming Meetings: County Council, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 5 p.m.; Community Services, Nov. 8 (following County Council); Corporate Services, Nov. 8 (following Community Services). County Council, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 5 p.m.; Public Works, Nov. 22 (following County Council); Economic Development, Nov. 22 (following Public Works). Watch for details about public access to meetings on agendas and through online notifications. For more information, contact 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502. Like "LanarkCounty1" on Facebook and follow "@LanarkCounty1" on X!