2020 ANNUAL REPORT GROWING STRONGER TOGETHER

Located in the heart of southwestern Ontario, Oxford County is home to approximately 123,000 people across eight municipalities.

A year unlike any other

CAO Michael Duben, left, and Warden Larry Martin.

Oxford County has experienced great challenges in its history, but the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is one unlike any other in recent memory. The County—along with much of the world-- entered its first shut-down in March of 2020 and has yet to fully return to life the way it was before then.

Throughout the pandemic, the focus for Oxford County and its employees has remained constant: keep essential services going; serve residents across all other programs and services as much as possible under the limitations of the pandemic; and, look for ways to help those who need it most. The 2020 Annual Report shares our stories of working towards these aims. 

Business as usual

Essential services were uninterrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the majority of services provided by Oxford County, it was largely business as usual during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think Oxford County has done an excellent job. All municipal staff are heroes. I really think they are,” says Oxford County CAO Michael Duben. “They’re very dedicated to what they do. It’s the commitment to the organization, the commitment to the people, the understanding that what they do is important to the community.”

All aspects of County services, from long-term care, paramedics, roads, human (social) services and water and wastewater and more, were impacted by the pandemic. Despite the challenges, ambulances still came when called, garbage was picked up and services were available.

Duben notes how the provincial and federal governments provided immense financial assistance so that municipalities were not bearing the full burden of their pandemic response.

“Every dollar the provincial and federal governments have sent to municipalities, including Oxford County, has made a big difference.”

Noteworthy in 2020 were the Oxford County Economic Stimulus Fund, which allocated $90,000 to support local businesses and households impacted by the pandemic, and the County’s 2021 budget, which passed with a below inflation increase of only 1.4 percent for a levy of about $63.7 million.

Staff pivoted to doing things differently from the big to the small, including holiday traditions.

“We passed a budget in the middle of COVID-19 that I think was a very responsible budget. There’s always a need to get stuff done, but last year wasn’t the year to ask people to pay a significant increase on taxes. Staff and Council recognized that.”

Duben joined Oxford County as the new CAO in September 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. He says he had to learn quickly and had yet to actually sit in his chair next to the Warden in Council Chamber, but employees helped bridge the learning gap.

“I think it’ll be interesting to see what we as an organization and other municipalities learn from COVID-19 in terms of service provision and service delivery. I don’t anticipate we’ll entirely go back to what it was like before; for example, when it comes to face to face meetings. I think there’s a real opportunity to learn and grow from what COVID-19 forced us to do.”

Maintaining a strong financial position

Oxford County has long been in a strong financial position.

And, while COVID-19 severely impacted many municipalities’ finances, Oxford County has continued to help residents and businesses through the demands of the pandemic while maintaining its strong fiscal stance.

The Economic Stimulus Fund helped downtown Tillsonburg businesses invest in outdoor patios during COVID-19

“We thought it was would be a more challenging situation earlier in the year when we were looking at a potential deficit, but that wasn’t the case by year end because the Province supported us so well,” Lynn Buchner, director of Corporate Services, explains.

Finance reported financial information monthly to County Council during the pandemic, explaining the potential impact on levels of service and how COVID-19 was affecting the County’s bottom line.

The April 8, 2020 financial report to Council led to the waiving of penalties and interest for area municipal tax installments, and the ability for residents to defer payments for water and wastewater services.

The Economic Stimulus Fund, established by the County in partnership with Community Futures Oxford, was created after County Council passed a broader relief plan committing $1.0 million topped up with $0.5 million from Community Futures Oxford that injected $1.5 million into local businesses and households.

Low-interest loans to small businesses, grants to local non-profits, and reverting to the 2019 water and sewer rates for 2020 further helped ease financial burdens. The County was also able to provide funding to help high-speed, broadband internet reach rural areas through the SWIFT project (Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology), a multi-year project to help rural residents and businesses keep pace with their urban counterparts.

The budget is the most important piece of work completed each year and 2021 only saw a 1.4 per cent increase –below inflation – for a total levy of roughly $63.7 million.

Oxford County was not only able to provide financial relief measures and hold to a conservative budget during the pandemic, but was able to do so without impacting its strong reserves, meaning Oxford taxpayers will have peace of mind for future budget decisions as the pandemic ends and the recovery begins.

“We kept reassuring we’re in a good financial position,” Buchner says. “It doesn’t mean it’s not going to have an impact on our asset management plan in the event that we do have to dip into the reserves, but we’re not going to suffer in the immediate future.”

A community effort to protect Woodingford residents

The COVID-19 pandemic has put attention on long-term care facilities and retirement homes, especially in the early days.

Woodingford staff answered the call when it came to providing top-level care to residents and peace of mind to families.

At the three Woodingford Lodge sites in Oxford County, staff answered the call when it came to providing top level care to residents and giving peace of mind to their families.

At the three Woodingford Lodge sites in Oxford County, staff answered the call when it came to providing top level care to residents and giving peace of mind to their families.

At the three Woodingford Lodge sites in Oxford County, staff answered the call when it came to providing top level care to residents and giving peace of mind to their families.

“Our staff went above and beyond. All of us had fears and a sense of nervousness, from frontline staff to the leadership and management team. But there was camaraderie, a feeling together we could do this,” says Mark Dager, director of Woodingford Lodge. “That’s what kept us going.”

Staff followed strict regulations on swabbing, cleaning, wearing personal protective equipment and also implemented negative pressure rooms to help with proper air circulation if there was a positive test. He also credits Oxford County paramedics for helping to expedite the swabbing process at Woodingford.

Additional staff were brought in, Dager says, to help with increased disinfecting and taking temperatures on residents twice a day. He highlighted how staff would take iPads around to help residents connect with their families by having virtual get-togethers over Zoom or Skype.

“There’s no script and no playbook for this. It was exceptional care provided by the staff,” he says.

“We don’t fly solo at Woodingford Lodge. All the County departments from Corporate Services to the CAO, Human Services, the councillors-- everybody has had our backs.”

It’s been a combined effort at Woodingford Lodge, including Medical Director Dr. Barry Roth, who offered guidance and support at Woodingford while advocating for pandemic patient care across Ontario.

Dager praised Dr. Barry Roth, Woodingford’s medical director, for not only providing guidance locally but also being an advocate for patient care in Ontario.

“Our team has done a fantastic job of putting those pieces of the puzzle in place. It’s a combined community effort. Our medical director, Dr. Roth, has given us the guidance and support we require during this difficult time.”

With 228 beds between the Woodstock, Ingersoll and Tillsonburg locations, Dager says the roughly 320 employees were kept busy and always had residents’ best interests as their main priority.

“What’s most important is the residents are safe and well looked after. Our staff has done that and then some. The residents are now having the beginnings of a sense of normalcy. At the end of the day, that’s our end goal for these times.”

Paramedics never said “no”

Oxford County paramedics have had a mantra during the COVID-19 pandemic.

When anyone asks for help, they never say no.

If it was collecting personal protective equipment, swabbing retirement homes and long-term care facilities or vaccinating thousands of people, Oxford County Paramedic Services always had employees step forward.

“When a community partner came to us with an ask, we never said no. We just asked what they needed and then we figured out how to do it,” says Ryan Hall, Oxford County Paramedic Services deputy chief of Operations and Performance.

Paramedic Services served as a regional hub for supplies in 2020, collecting and distributing PPE (personal protective equipment) for Oxford’s health partners, including a combined 70,000 medical masks donated by Taiwan’s MacKay Memorial Hospital and Tamsui District. 

In the early weeks, Paramedic Services coordinated a regional hub to collect and distribute PPE (personal protective equipment) among Oxford’s community health partners, handing out more than 500,000 PPE.

The existing and strong partnership with Southwestern Public Health had paramedics assist with the testing of vulnerable populations and those at long-term care facilities and retirement homes across the County. Their work has seen Oxford paramedics swab more than 17,000 people in all corners of the county.

“We had a roving band of paramedics who would go in and do entire facilities and then it progressed to more daily swabbing at the Woodstock assessment centre,” Ryan Orton, the superintendent of Education and Training for Oxford County Paramedic Services, explains. "Any population you can think of, we’ve tested them.”

That mobile approach also saw paramedics assist in what turned out to be the province’s largest ever influenza shot campaign in the fall of 2020. From long-term care facilities and retirement homes to remote areas of the County, they helped get shots in arms prior to the flu season.

In the winter, paramedics lent a hand to help staff Tillsonburg’s Maple Manor long-term care facility when a COVID-19 outbreak significantly impacted both staff and residents.

A palliative care outreach program was also launched in the midst of the pandemic. The project had long been in the planning, but was short of funding until Paramedic Services went ahead and started it. Hall and Orton say the “Last Wish” program has seen them take people to the beach one last time, arrange final visits for family members and take people to see streets that have been named after the resident.

“The letters of support we’ve had from family members are overwhelming,” Hall adds.

“Personally, I think that’s one of the biggest impacts we’ve had in the community during the pandemic.”

When the COVID-19 vaccine began entering Oxford County, paramedics were again called upon to help with storage in cryofreezers and reaching vulnerable and at-risk populations.

As more COVID-19 vaccinations came to Oxford, an extra clinic was opened in Tillsonburg that had eight paramedics and two supervisors on site vaccinating up to 800 people a day at times, Hall says.

“When a community partner came to us with an ask, we never said no.”

“When we put the call out to our staff that we were asked to run a vaccination clinic, more than half wanted to help,” Hall says. “We have a lot of our staff working 60 or more hours a week during the pandemic. This is their community, too.”

Both Hall and Orton say the nearly year-and-a-half of the pandemic has seen the roughly 110 paramedics in Oxford County get pulled in all directions. But from the initial gloomy days to the hope that came with vaccines, the paramedics have never said no.

“It was about a year of just chaos. Our first paramedic who vaccinated someone was moved to tears and said it was the most positive thing she had done in a year to be part of the solution in bringing COVID to an end,” Orton says. “That was the point we started to see a light at the end of the tunnel. They’re giving shots out and it’s all smiles because it’s all positive.”

Helping our most vulnerable

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted some of the biggest differences among people in our society. For many who are considered part of a vulnerable population, the pandemic has brought a struggle to pay bills, find work or help support family members.

“Everyone has really worked well together to try and fill in any gaps as quickly as possible so no one was left behind,” says Lisa Lanthier, a manager with Oxford County Human Services (social services). “We’ve been fortunate in receiving funding to help our community with everything from amplifying food security to providing shelter.”

The Oxford County Administration Building remained open by appointment during the pandemic to allow people to come in to receive support through Ontario Works and childcare subsidies. A case manager, manager and clerks were always on site, but the department was also able to provide virtual assistance.

“We have not had a client say yet that it hasn’t been the same level of service. We are very front facing and used to seeing people face to face, so we had wondered if our approach during COVID-19 would present more of a challenge but that hasn’t been the case,” Lanthier says.

“Parents and families adapted to the pivot to virtual service, but they also look forward to being able to return in person.”

Ontario’s Social Services Relief Fund was vital in keep supports ongoing.

It meant rents would be paid, utilities wouldn’t be disconnected and emergency cheques were issued since many needed help prior to federal benefits kicking in.

It also allowed the department to work with local hotels, motels, the Salvation Army Emergency Housing, Southwestern Public Health, Domestic Abuse Services Oxford and Operation Sharing’s The Inn to ensure people had housing.

“We listened to people, called people and responded to people as quickly as possible to make sure no one found themselves in an even more precarious situation,” Lynda Bartlett, an Oxford County Human Services manager, says. “We asked people, what do you need right now today that’s going to help you get through?”

Bartlett notes the added flexibility of the Social Services Relief Fund has allowed the County to provide help in small but significant ways, such as providing a phone so a child could continue speech therapy during the pandemic.

“We’ve used that funding across the service spectrum, whether it’s helping the food bank or private social service agencies and making sure our community partners are not struggling,” Lanthier further explains. “We’ve been able to keep services going in Oxford County, in addition to bringing in some extra services, because of this funding.”

Help has also come forward from regular people in the community looking to help where they can.

“The generosity of the community has really shown itself,” Lanthier says. “We hear from our partners that the greater Oxford community has continued to be generous and kind to those in need, which has been reassuring through these challenging times.”

Beyond books to helping address social isolation

 

Libraries have always shown an ability to adapt.

Whether it’s modifying services in the digital era or adding programming to adjust to public demand, Oxford County’s 14 libraries also adapted quickly when public health restrictions were announced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a matter of days, Oxford County Library had virtual programming up and running to continue regular story times, craft clubs and cooking demonstrations. The Library gradually brought in new offerings such as trivia contests, a virtual history fair and “tech talks” to help bring both the learning and social element that are essential to public library services.

“People missed coming to the library for a number of reasons,” Lisa Miettinen, CEO and Chief Librarian of Oxford County Library, says. “There’s getting books, of course, but it’s also to use our computers and access printing, faxing and scanning services. We know that for a lot of people a visit to the library is an important social connection that was suddenly gone.”

The libraries regularly had their windows decorated to bring cheer to pedestrians and they offered grab-and-go activity bags with craft supplies, Miettinen explains.

Though the difficult decision was made to keep smaller branches closed to in-person visits due to space constraints, curbside service was a consistent feature and is likely to continue post-pandemic. The Library was at the same time able to expand its home delivery system for people who are homebound or in long-term care facilities.

Oxford County Library also brought in friendly check-in phone calls during the pandemic, in which employees talked residents through getting a library card, accessing services or helping with community information, or were there just to offer a friendly voice. At times, they even helped book vaccination appointments and print vaccination certificates.

“We think it helped battle social isolation and since it’s been a well-received service, it’s one we plan to continue,” Miettinen explains.

“It’s been hard on staff also not to be able to welcome people into the library because we know that’s a really important social connection for people,” Miettinen adds. “It’s going to be a slow process to bring people back, and we want to move through it carefully because safety has always been our number one priority, but we can’t wait to have people back in the libraries.”

Preserving history as it happens

At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Oxford County Archives, partnering with Woodstock Museum, began documenting the stories, records and images to preserve history as it was happening.

“We realized immediately the importance of capturing this history because we don’t have that history for the Spanish Flu,” Liz Dommasch, Oxford County Archivist, says. “It doesn’t seem to exist for that global pandemic, so we decided it was important to capture the COVID-19 pandemic as it was happening.”

Dommasch says they received a flood of information during the first and second waves that included photos from Woodstock Hospital, images of people getting vaccinated, and signs that adorned yards for physically distanced birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations.

While the Spanish Flu recorded information through newspapers and council minutes, Dommasch says they wanted to reflect on the way individuals and people experienced the pandemic. “It’s providing more of a personal side of that story for future generations that we wouldn’t have otherwise had, and a way for those living through it to look back at this moment.”

Dommasch says there are plans for school-based projects in the fall to collect further information and that Archives worked with Oxford County Library on its annual photo contest this past summer. The goal was to showcase an exhibit of local COVID-19 memories of the upheaval of the past year-and-a-half.

“People are of course tired of COVID-19 right now,” Dommasch says. “The plan allows for a more reflective exhibit from a place of recovery and optimism.”

2020 Highlights

Housing updates

County Council approved in 2020 the development of 16 affordable housing units in a 30-unit complex in Plattsville, Blandford-Blenheim. Groundbreaking was in spring 2021. 

Oxford County continued to work together with community partners and the provincial government in 2020 to support new affordable housing solutions. 

In 2020, 75 rent supplements were offered to low income households, four households received financial assistance to purchase their first home, one affordable housing project is nearing completion (24 units), and 128 affordable units were approved. Staff continued to promote advanced construction techniques (modular), additional residential units, special zone provisions, development of multi-unit affordable housing projects, the availability of shovel-ready land and communication regarding the development process.

While the 2020 annual target has been met, the County continues to face a housing crisis, where the housing demand greatly outweighs supply. Housing is essential to the wellbeing and economic viability of our community and remains a priority for Oxford County.

Swift funding for Oxford County

SWIFT funding will bring high-speed internet access to rural homes and businesses, like Morrow’s of Drumbo in Blandford-Blenheim, where Oxford’s funding was announced in 2020.  

In an increasingly connected world, the need for reliable high-speed internet has never been greater. As a municipal partner, Oxford County supports and benefits from Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT)’s efforts to expand and improve rural connectivity. 

In October 2020, SWIFT announced funding to bring high-speed internet access to underserved areas in Oxford. Together with the federal and provincial governments and private sector investors, SWIFT will deliver a combined broadband infrastructure investment of $10 million to bring high-speed internet to more than 1,705 County homes and businesses.

All projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2022. 

Cycling Master Plan community engagement 

A key outcome of the Cycling Master Plan will be to build a safe and comfortable cycling infrastructure in Oxford County that encourages people to consider cycling for both commuting and recreation purposes.

The Cycling Master Plan moves ahead key goals in Oxford’s Master Transportation Plan: building an equitable and connected transportation network, reducing our carbon footprint, and promoting the community as a leading destination for tourism-based cycling. Work on the Cycling Master Plan began in 2020 by asking residents, businesses and partners for input and perspective on these goals.  

Due to pandemic restrictions, broad community consultation was carried out in an online environment through  Speak Up, Oxford!  This took place in two phases, the first of which included an online survey and an interactive mapping tool for cyclists to mark route suggestions. A total of 274 responses were submitted during the online survey period between July 7 and August 31, 2020. Broad community outreach was rounded out by targeted interviews with technical experts and community partners. 

The final Cycling Master Plan in 2021 will put forward a set of recommendations to better connect significant areas in and outside of Oxford County through trails and cycling routes; establish commuting infrastructure that allows cycling to be used in tandem with public transit, car pools and passenger rail service; and promote a stronger culture of cycling in our community.

Waste collection transition during Covid 19

A significant undertaking during normal circumstances, Oxford County successfully transitioned to a new waste management contractor during the early stages of the pandemic in the spring of 2020. 

Oxford County began working with a new contractor for residential garbage and recycling in May 2020. 

The new contract started May 4 in all Oxford County municipalities except Woodstock and South-West Oxford, which perform waste collection under service contracts to the County. The changes brought new pick-up days for some residents and new materials for blue box recycling, like black plastics, coffee cups, etc. Bulky Styrofoam and plastic film (plastic bags, plastic wrap, etc.) would no longer collected at curbside, however, because they are no longer accepted by end markets for collected material. In response, Oxford County introduced new programs to accept bulky Styrofoam and plastic film at various depot locations across the County, including the Oxford County Waste Management Facility, and secured an alternative end market processor for these select materials. All program changes were communicated to residents by mail, online, through the Wasteline mobile app, and through an interim waste management calendar reflecting new collection routes and blue box changes.

Phase 1 Comprehensive Review 

Image source: http://www.archives.gov.on.ca

Oxford County continues to think ahead and wisely plan for the future by regularly updating growth forecasts and land need analysis for Oxford and its municipalities. 

Oxford County adopted the latest growth management study, referred to as the Phase 1 Comprehensive Review, on April 8, 2020. The results of the forecasts and land needs assessment contained in this report will support planning and infrastructure initiatives within the County for years to come. The study will also help justify potential changes to settlement area boundaries, where land need has been identified, and inform potential updates to the Oxford County Official Plan.

The study predicts substantial growth in the County over the next 30 years, driven largely by people from the Greater Golden Horseshoe relocating to Oxford. This growth forecast comes from a study by Hemson Consulting Ltd., commissioned by Oxford County.

Preparing our people

The public—our residents and partners—was a key focus of the County’s attention throughout the pandemic. That strong public response was built from a strong internal foundation: the work of preparing our people to meet an unprecedented challenge.

Oxford County’s Human Resources provided “all hands on deck” leadership and support for the County’s internal pandemic response in 2020: overseeing health and safety protocols and education; managing the evolving screening processes for staff and visitors; directing safe access to buildings and services; guiding management and staff through isolation and other public health directives; and providing consistent information and resources for staff through a variety of mediums. 

Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers

In 2020, Oxford County resident Ernest A. Guy was recognized by the Governor General of Canada for his extensive volunteerism with the Oxford County Injury Prevention Team (OCIPT). 

Guy served as an active participant and fundraiser for OCIPT for more than two decades, helping to create a safer community to live, work and play. His dedication and commitment contributed to the longevity of the group. Oxford County Warden Larry Martin, past OCIPT chair Lorna Boratto, and current Chair Meagan Lichti presented the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers to Guy at the January 8, 2020 council meeting on behalf of the Governor General’s office. 

Whether it’s employees or volunteers, Oxford County is passionate about working with individuals who make a positive difference. 

Oxford County resident Ernest A. Guy was awarded the Governor General of Canada’s Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers in January 2020. (Photo by  Kathleen Saylors/Woodstock Sentinel-Review)

Oxford Stewardship Award

The 2019 Oxford Stewardship Award was presented at the February 26 County Council meeting to Diane and Jeff Tribe (4th and 5th from right). Runner up Gerard Pynenburg and his father Bernie, additional members of the Tribe family, and local artist Julie Hawkins were also in attendance.

In February 2020, Jeff and Diane Tribe were presented with the 2019 Oxford Stewardship Award at County Council in recognition of their efforts toward land improvement and sustainability.

The Tribes were singled out by the award selection committee for their passion and commitment to developing a flourishing wetland on previously pastured farmland. The project consisted of digging an inter-connected 1.4-acre wetland, with two major and several smaller water features, supported by 8.9 acres of upland habitat. The project also included planting mixed native trees.

Winners of the Oxford Stewardship Award are honoured each year with original artwork commissioned from a local artist. As the 2019 winner, the Tribes received a $500 gift certificate towards the purchase of original artwork by abstract painter Julie Hawkins, who matched the gift in value.

Oxford County Council 2018-2022

OXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL2018-2022

Oxford County Council is made up of the mayors of each of the eight local area municipalities plus two additional councillors from the City of Woodstock, the largest population centre in the County. To learn more visit  www.oxfordcounty.ca/yourcouncil 

 Scroll down for County Councillors.

Larry Martin

Warden

Mayor, Township of Norwich

003

Ted Comiskey

Deputy Warden

Mayor, Town of Ingersoll

519-485-0120 x2235

Stephen Molnar

Councillor

Mayor, Town of Tillsonburg

519-688-3009 x3234

David Mayberry

Councillor

Mayor, Township of South-West Oxford

519-485-0477

Marcus Ryan

Councillor

Mayor, Township of Zorra

519-485-2490

Don McKay

Councillor

Mayor, Township of East Zorra-Tavistock

519-462-2697

Mark Peterson

Councillor

Mayor, Township of Blandford-Blenheim

519-463-5347

Trevor Birtch

Councillor

Mayor, City of Woodstock

519-539-2382 x2102

Sandra Talbot

Councillor, City of Woodstock

519-539-6685

Deborah Tait

Councillor, City of Woodstock

519-421-7449

Facts About Oxford

Enhancing Community Wellbeing

Human Services

  • 713 families receiving child care fee subsidy, with 800 children served 
  • 628 subsidized public housing units
  • 656 not-for-profit housing units
  • 430 affordable housing units
  •  2,600 Oxford residents and families aided through financial assistance and employment supports

Note: Employment supports impacted by COVID-19.

Paramedic Services 

  • 14,587 paramedic call responses

Woodingford Lodge

  • 228 long-term care beds
  • 126 residents supported on the journey to long-term care through the Family Transition Program 
  • 90% overall satisfaction rate among residents/families

Delivering results 

Tourism

Supported tourism, attractions, and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic through $62,500 in waived tourism fees; ongoing consultation and support, including 325 workshop participants; and continued promotion of Oxford County, resulting in a 16% increase in web traffic and 4.65 million online advertising impressions.

Oxford County Library

  • 14 branches
  • 84,663 in-person and curbside visits
  • 207,223 items circulated
  • 20,966 engagements on 168 virtual programs 

Note: Library operations were greatly impacted by COVID-19 pandemic, which limited access to branch services for most of year.

Provincial Offences Court

  • 7,528 – charges processed
  • 1,920 events heard for Provincial Offences Court

Note: Court appearances were reduced significantly due to COVID-19 pandemic, during which courts were fully closed for approx. 15 weeks in addition to other administrative limitations. 

Public Works

  • 1,288 lane kilometres of County roads 
  • 154 bridges and culverts maintained
  • 17 municipal water systems serving 21 Oxford communities
  • 154 bridges and culverts maintained
  • 9 municipal wastewater systems serving 11 Oxford communities

Shaping our future

    • 57% curbside waste diversion
    • Stewardship of more than 774 hectares of County-managed woodland properties, including 345 hectares of County forest and 288 hectares of wetlands/source water protection lands
    • Robust capital program to protect and maintain vital municipal infrastructure
    • 430 development applications processed by Community Planning

    Note: This represents a decrease of approximately 10% over the previous year due to service restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dollars

2020 Revenues

General Revenue $128,262,906

Other Sources $38,704,153

Property Taxes $66,887,560

Total Revenues $233,854,619

2020 Revenue Sources

Property Taxes 29%

Province 21%

Water/Sewer Rates 17%

User Fees 12%

Reserve Transfer 12%

Development Charges 3%

New Debt 1%

Other Revenues 3%

Federal 2%

2020 Expenditure Distribution

Human Services 17%

Roads 16%

Water 11%

Woodingford Lodge 13%

Wastewater 14%

Other 8%

Waste Management 6%

Paramedic Services 7%

Facilities 3%

Library 2%

Conservation Authorities 1%

Public Health 1%

Planning 1%

2020 Average Gross Expenditures per Household

Wastewater* $1,026

Human Services $792

Water* $775

Roads $751

Woodingford Lodge $620

Other $458

Paramedic Services $317

Waste Management $272

Library** $151

Facilities $141

Public Health $46

Planning $37

Conservation Authorities $36

Court Security** $2

Comparative Tax Levies for Taxes on an Average Residential Property

Assessed Value $271,277

Taxes

County $1,002

Library $100

Court Security $1

Total $1,103

2020 Capital Expenditures (millions)

Social Housing & Corporate Facilities $4.8

Fleet and Major Equipment $3.5

Road Network $14.3

Bridge and Culverts $3.5

Water System $4.9

Wastewater System $8.7

2020 Average Gross Expenditures per average residential property

Human Services $133

Roads $306

Woodingford Lodge $173

Other $114

Paramedic Services $129

Public Health $36

Waste Management $31

Conservation Authorities $29

Planning $25

Facilities $25

Financial

CAO Michael Duben, left, and Warden Larry Martin.

Essential services were uninterrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Staff pivoted to doing things differently from the big to the small, including holiday traditions.

The Economic Stimulus Fund helped downtown Tillsonburg businesses invest in outdoor patios during COVID-19

Woodingford staff answered the call when it came to providing top-level care to residents and peace of mind to families.

It’s been a combined effort at Woodingford Lodge, including Medical Director Dr. Barry Roth, who offered guidance and support at Woodingford while advocating for pandemic patient care across Ontario.

Paramedic Services served as a regional hub for supplies in 2020, collecting and distributing PPE (personal protective equipment) for Oxford’s health partners, including a combined 70,000 medical masks donated by Taiwan’s MacKay Memorial Hospital and Tamsui District. 

“When a community partner came to us with an ask, we never said no.”

County Council approved in 2020 the development of 16 affordable housing units in a 30-unit complex in Plattsville, Blandford-Blenheim. Groundbreaking was in spring 2021. 

SWIFT funding will bring high-speed internet access to rural homes and businesses, like Morrow’s of Drumbo in Blandford-Blenheim, where Oxford’s funding was announced in 2020.  

A key outcome of the Cycling Master Plan will be to build a safe and comfortable cycling infrastructure in Oxford County that encourages people to consider cycling for both commuting and recreation purposes.

Oxford County began working with a new contractor for residential garbage and recycling in May 2020. 

Image source: http://www.archives.gov.on.ca

The 2019 Oxford Stewardship Award was presented at the February 26 County Council meeting to Diane and Jeff Tribe (4th and 5th from right). Runner up Gerard Pynenburg and his father Bernie, additional members of the Tribe family, and local artist Julie Hawkins were also in attendance.