FAQs
What is the Affordability and Governance Structure Study?
The Affordability and Governance Structure Study examines how municipal services are governed and delivered across Haliburton County and its four local municipalities. The Study evaluates whether the current governance structure remains sustainable and explores opportunities to improve affordability, organizational capacity, service delivery, and long-term financial sustainability.
The Study does not recommend a preferred governance model. Instead, it provides information to help County Council and the four local municipal councils make informed decisions.
Why was the Study undertaken?
Like many rural municipalities across Ontario, Haliburton County is facing increasing financial and operational pressures, including:
• Rising infrastructure costs
• Inflation and increasing service costs
• Aging municipal assets
• Workforce recruitment and retention challenges
• Increasing legislative requirements
• A predominantly residential tax base
• Growing expectations for municipal services
The Study was undertaken to better understand these challenges and evaluate whether changes to governance or service delivery could improve long-term sustainability.
Has Council decided to change the governance structure?
No, no decisions have been made.
The Study is intended to provide information and analysis only. Any future governance changes would require further analysis, additional public consultation, and formal decisions by County Council and the four local municipal councils.
Does the Study recommend amalgamation?
No.
The Study does not recommend amalgamation or any other governance model.
It evaluates four governance models, identifies the advantages, challenges, financial implications, and implementation considerations associated with each, and leaves future decisions to Council.
What governance models were evaluated?
The Study evaluates four governance models:
• Current Two-Tier Governance Structure
• Single-Tier Municipality
• Enhanced County with four Local Municipalities
• Enhanced County with two Local Municipalities
Each model was evaluated using the same assessment framework.
Why were these four models selected?
The models represent different approaches to municipal governance ranging from maintaining the current structure to increasing levels of regional integration.
Together, they provide Council with a range of options for future consideration.
What methodology was used to complete the Study?
The Study was completed using a combination of engagement, governance research, service delivery review, and financial analysis. This included input from residents, elected officials, municipal staff, community organizations, and other stakeholders, along with a review of financial information from Haliburton County and all four local municipalities. Together, this information helped assess the current structure, compare governance options, and identify key considerations for affordability, service delivery, and long-term financial sustainability.
Will this reduce property taxes?
Not necessarily.
One of the Study's key findings is that governance restructuring alone does not automatically reduce taxes.
Long-term financial sustainability depends on many factors, including:
• Infrastructure investment
• Asset management
• Organizational capacity
• Financial planning
• Service delivery efficiency
• Economic growth
Does the Study recommend reducing municipal services?
No.
The Study does not recommend reducing municipal services. Its objective is to maintain or improve services while making them more affordable and sustainable. If Council proceeds with a next phase, services would be reviewed in greater detail to identify efficiencies and opportunities for improvement. No decisions have been made, and any future recommendations would require Council consideration.
Will local communities lose their identity?
Community identity was one of the strongest themes identified during public engagement.
Regardless of which governance model may be considered in the future, preserving local identity, maintaining accessible municipal services, and ensuring effective representation were consistently identified as important priorities.
How many people participated in the Study?
The engagement program included:
• 22 engagement sessions
• More than 350 participants
• More than 570 public survey responses
• Eight surveys involving residents, elected officials, staff, and community leaders
Participation exceeded levels typically seen in comparable municipal governance studies.
Who was consulted?
The Study included input from:
• County Council
• The four local municipal councils
• Chief Administrative Officers
• Senior management teams
• Municipal staff
• Residents
• Seasonal property owners
• Businesses
• Community organizations
• Former elected officials
• Indigenous communities and organizations
• Service clubs and partner agencies
What happens next?
The current phase of the Study includes:
• Release of the final report
• Presentations to County Council
• Presentations to the four local municipal councils
• Staff presentations
• Public information sessions
• Ongoing public communications
Following those activities, Council will determine whether additional work is required.
If Council wishes to continue, what additional work would be required?
Possible future work could include:
• Detailed financial modelling
• Governance design
• Service delivery reviews
• Human resource analysis
• Legislative review
• Tax policy analysis
• Public engagement
• Implementation planning
No governance changes would occur without this additional work.
Will there be more opportunities for public input?
Yes.
If Council chooses to undertake additional analysis, further engagement with residents, businesses, municipal staff, Indigenous communities, and stakeholders would be an important part of the process.
What role did the public survey play?
The public survey provided valuable insight into resident priorities and community perspectives.
While the survey helped inform the Study, decisions will also consider financial analysis, governance research, operational considerations, legislative requirements, and additional public consultation.
What did residents say was most important?
Residents consistently identified:
• Affordability
• Maintaining service quality
• Protecting community identity
• Local representation
• Financial sustainability
• Transparency
• Accountability
These themes are reflected throughout the Study.
Will municipal offices close?
Should any governance changes ever be considered, decisions regarding municipal facilities and customer service locations would be evaluated during a future implementation process.
Maintaining accessible local services would remain an important consideration.
Will municipal employees lose their jobs?
The Study does not make recommendations regarding staffing.
If governance changes were ever considered, staffing, organizational design, labour relations, and human resource planning would be examined in detail before any decisions were made.
What are the benefits of completing this Study?
The Study provides:
• An objective assessment of the current governance structure
• A better understanding of long-term financial pressures
• Information about future governance options
• Evidence-based analysis to support Council decision-making
• A foundation for future planning
Where can I read the full report?
The final report will be available on the County’s online engagement platform following its public release. Visit wadein.haliburtoncounty.ca
Residents are encouraged to review the report, attend public information sessions, and participate in future engagement opportunities.