Two fewer councillors. A new lord mayor. And a $13-million infrastructure funding gap that isn’t going away.
Niagara-on-the-Lake’s incoming council has plenty on its plate before its members even take their seats Nov. 24.
But if there’s one thing several of the town’s newly elected councillors agree on, it’s that NOTL has already given up enough to keep the province from forcing it into a larger municipality.
“I’m done with sacrificing,” returning councillor Tim Balasiuk told The Lake Report.
He voted to reduce council to six councillors from eight earlier this year, hoping the move would show the province NOTL was willing to make changes to avoid amalgamation.
Now, he’s questioning what that accomplished.
“Ultimately, it’s not going to change very much,” he said, noting the town has nonetheless “lost two voices at council.”
He’s not alone in his frustration.
Deputy lord mayor-elect Gary Burroughs, who opposed the reduction, said he doesn’t believe it made a difference.
Newly elected Weston Miller went further, warning that the town shouldn’t make permanent changes to please a provincial government that won’t be around forever.
“Doug Ford’s not going to be premier forever,” he said.
Fellow newcomer Steve McGuinness also questioned the reduction, arguing that cutting two councillors saves relatively little money and should not have happened without more public input.
Sandra O’Connor, who finished second in the council race, agreed that the town has sacrificed enough.
So, if giving up more isn’t an option, what’s the plan?
For McGuinness, that means finding ways to share services and cut duplication without surrendering NOTL’s independence.
Andrew Niven also supports exploring shared services and partnerships with neighbouring municipalities, but doesn’t believe amalgamation would solve NOTL’s financial problems.
“We can find efficiencies and work together without necessarily giving up our independence or what makes NOTL unique,” he said.
And when asked whether maintaining NOTL’s independence could ever become too expensive to justify, the councillors were largely united.
“No, never,” McGuinness said.
Balasiuk was equally firm, saying he would “fight tooth and nail” to preserve the town’s autonomy.
Burroughs also said no, pointing to NOTL’s distinct heritage, agricultural lands and community identity.
Miller couldn’t name a price that would change his mind.
“I would have to think about that more deeply,” he said, calling the town’s independence essential.
O’Connor said the costs would need to be studied before drawing conclusions, though she questioned whether NOTL could preserve its unique identity if governed alongside other municipalities.
Niven didn’t directly address whether independence could become too costly, but said he doesn’t believe amalgamation would solve the town’s financial challenges.
“I strongly believe Niagara-on-the-Lake should remain independent and I don’t believe amalgamation is the answer to our financial challenges,” he said.
On the controversial Parliament Oak hotel approval, all six incoming councillors expressed opposition or concerns when asked how they would vote if the same application came forward today.
A $13-million problem, and who should pay
The town needs roughly $13 million more each year to properly maintain and replace its infrastructure.
But none of the councillors interviewed were eager to put that burden on residents’ property tax bills.
McGuinness wants developers to shoulder more of the cost.
“We should have the highest development charges in the region because we are the destination of choice in the region,” he said.
Miller also wants the town to finish reviewing what developers pay before considering higher taxes.
Balasiuk is looking to tourists, suggesting the town revisit how it spends money collected through its municipal accommodation tax.
He pointed to roads that take a beating from visitors as an example of where tourism dollars could help.
Niven also wants to review how the town spends its accommodation tax revenue and consider delaying or spreading out infrastructure projects.
“There may be difficult decisions ahead, but before asking residents to pay more, we need to make sure we’re managing their money as effectively as possible,” he said.
Burroughs and O’Connor want more help from the provincial and federal governments.
O’Connor said drinking water, sewage and stormwater systems should come first, while Burroughs warned that municipalities can’t keep absorbing more responsibilities without the money to pay for them.
“We need help,” he said.
What residents could actually see change
Some promises might take years. Others, councillors say, could happen almost immediately.
Miller wants electronic voting introduced at council meetings, so residents can see exactly how their representatives vote.
O’Connor agrees. She also wants council to formally declare that casinos aren’t welcome in NOTL.
“We should have a motion stating that we do not want casinos in Niagara-on-the-Lake,” she said.
Burroughs wants resident advisory committees restored and says the town needs to move faster on the former hospital property and its long-awaited short-term rental restrictions.
Balasiuk is pushing to give the town more time to protect heritage properties before provincial designation deadlines arrive.
McGuinness has his eye on the 2027 budget, arguing that taxes have risen too quickly over the past four years.
Niven wants council to establish a strategic plan early in its term, while continuing discussions about the Queen Street patio program and the updated tree bylaw, both of which he supported last term.
Several councillors say rebuilding trust with residents will be as important as any single decision.
Working with new, business-minded boss
Lord mayor-elect Vaughn Goettler won on a promise to run the town more like a business.
His new colleagues aren’t entirely sold on that description.
McGuinness and O’Connor say business practices can help with budgets and management, but a municipality isn’t supposed to turn a profit.
Miller agrees that the town’s primary job is serving residents.
Niven sees room for better financial discipline, but says running a municipality requires more than a business mindset.
“We have to remember that we’re providing public services and looking after a community, not running a business,” he said.
Burroughs, a former Oban Inn owner, sees similarities between running a business and managing the town, particularly when it comes to building a team, but also stressed that a municipality’s ultimate goal is to serve residents.
And although he’s served as lord mayor before, he says he won’t be telling the political newcomer how to do his job.
“I’m there to give my — not advice — my opinion, if asked,” he said.
For now, Burroughs says his first priority is getting the new council working together, something he believes will determine how much it can accomplish over the next four years.
“The residents put us there. So let’s keep in touch.”
