FAUDEMERWard 2
The Plan in Writing

NOTICES OF MOTION

These are the first motions Stephen will bring to Council. Each is written to advance the campaign's core commitment: a target 0% tax increase for 2027.

Motion 1

2027 Budget - Target of Zero Percent Property Tax Increase

Moved by: Stephen Faudemer, Councillor Ward 2 · Seconded by: ______

WHEREAS under the enhanced mayor powers granted by the Province of Ontario, the municipal budget is directed by the Mayor;

WHEREAS any tax increase places additional financial pressure on Georgina residents already facing rising costs of living;

WHEREAS local food bank usage continues to rise, reflecting the growing hardship experienced by many households in our community;

WHEREAS front-line staff, through their daily work, are uniquely positioned to identify practical efficiencies and cost-saving opportunities;

WHEREAS a 0% property tax increase can and should be achieved without reducing existing staff or cutting essential services, by implementing a wage freeze of non unionized staff, a hiring freeze, focusing on operational efficiencies, and delaying non-essential capital projects that represent “wants” rather than core “needs”;

WHEREAS examples of projects that should be considered for deferral include, but are not limited to: non-essential park and trail aesthetic upgrades; decorative streetscaping and gateway features; non-critical facility renovations or expansions; optional studies and consultant reports not required for statutory compliance; early replacement of non-safety-critical vehicles and equipment; and new recreational amenities that do not address existing capacity shortfalls;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

  1. Council requests that the Mayor direct all staff, including front-line employees as well as management, to prepare the 2027 municipal budget targeting a 0% property tax increase;
  2. The budget process shall include a wage freeze and a hiring freeze, and shall prioritize the identification of savings through improved efficiencies and the deferral of non-essential projects (including the types of projects listed above), while explicitly protecting existing staffing levels and core municipal services;
  3. Staff be directed to report back to Council with options and recommendations that achieve a 0% property tax increase for 2027, consistent with the principles outlined above.
Motion 2

Building Department Internal Review: Internal Review of Building and Development Services to support a targeted 0% Tax Increase in 2027

Moved by: Stephen Faudemer, Ward 2 Councillor · Seconded by: ______

WHEREAS Council is committed to achieving a target of 0% tax increase for residents in the 2027 budget; and

WHEREAS faster, more efficient building permit processes will accelerate development charge collections, reduce costs, and improve the Town's reputation throughout the Region; and

WHEREAS the Building Department is currently conducting an internal review of its policies and processes; and

WHEREAS it is in the public interest that this review be comprehensive, transparent, and result in measurable improvements to service delivery;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

  1. Council formally recognizes that the Building Department is currently conducting an internal review of policies and processes;
  2. The internal review shall include, at a minimum: (i) Benchmarking of current permit processing times, customer satisfaction, and procedures against peer municipalities (including Oakville, Vaughan, and King Township); (ii) A list of prioritized reforms arising from the review;
  3. The review and subsequent report to Council shall specifically address and include: (i) An update regarding the new e-permitting software, including cost savings and efficiencies realized to date, positive successes and challenges, and how those challenges are being addressed or overcome; (ii) Recommendations to further reduce red tape, limit iterative information requests (including consideration of “three strikes” style rules), improve pre-application consultations ie pre-approved deck drawings, and enhance communication; (iii) Strategies to improve the Building Department's positive reputation within York Region, together with a strategy to extensively promote the positive changes being made to the general public and customers; (iv) Analysis and an implementation timeline for the prioritized reforms extracted from the internal review, with measurable targets (for example, a 30–50% reduction in average processing times within 12–18 months); (v) Engagement of stakeholders, including local builders, developers, and residents, as part of the review process;
  4. Staff is directed to report back to Council on the findings of the internal review, the prioritized reforms, and the items set out above, and that the report be made public no later than February 24, 2027.
Motion 3

Accelerate Activation of the Keswick Business Park to Create Jobs and Support a Targeted 0% Tax Increase in 2027

Moved by: Stephen Faudemer, Councillor Ward 2 · Seconded by: ______

WHEREAS the Keswick Business Park offers significant potential for job creation and commercial assessment growth; and

WHEREAS advancing this project will generate new revenue to help achieve a targeted 0% tax increase in 2027; and

WHEREAS Town staff are continually meeting with developers and interested parties and actively working to secure new development within the Business Park, while recognizing that certain details of these discussions remain confidential due to ongoing commercial negotiations;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

  1. Staff are directed to prepare a status report on the development of the Keswick Business Park and present it to Council no later than March 31, 2027.
  2. The report shall include, to the extent possible without compromising confidentiality: (i) High-level timelines of current and projected development; (ii) Servicing needs; (iii) Marketing strategies and a summary of actions taken to date to promote the Park (including conferences, events, and other outreach), along with any successes achieved; (iv) Partnership opportunities; (v) Any current incentive programs being offered to developers to encourage them to advance or accelerate their development timelines.
  3. The report shall be coordinated with the Building Department Review to identify and address any permitting barriers and maximize early wins in support of the targeted 0% tax increase objective.
  4. Staff are further directed to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to create a digital advertising campaign titled “BIG – Building In Georgina”. This campaign shall promote the successes of the Building Department, the new e-permitting system, and the opportunities available for new businesses in Georgina, with a strong focus on the Keswick Business Park. As there are more than one digital advertising company's in Georgina, the RFP is to be issued to GEORGINA BUSINESSES ONLY.  To be issued no later than March 31, 2027.