Engaging with Residents

A Missed Opportunity for Council Leadership

I recently read the mayor’s response to the questions posed by the editor of OwenSoundCurrent.com regarding the research paper I submitted on improving fiscal management in Owen Sound. I must admit, I was a bit envious of how quickly he responded to the editor—with a comprehensive reply in just four days. In contrast, despite personally delivering printed copies of my report to each member of Council, I have received no formal acknowledgement from the mayor or most councillors. Only the Deputy Mayor has responded.

This lack of engagement is deeply concerning. There was a time when basic courtesy would at least warrant a brief thank-you or confirmation of receipt. More importantly, given the subject matter—a serious report outlining practical, cost-saving solutions for our city—I expected follow-up questions, dialogue, or even a healthy debate. Instead, it feels as though the report was dropped into a “Black Hole” where it disappeared without a trace.

This silence stands in stark contrast to the values the mayor once championed. During his first mayoral campaign in 2014, he told OwenSoundHub.org:

“For the City to prosper, all ideas must be considered.” – Ian Boddy 2014 OwenSoundHub.org

He also promised to “change how things are done and how they communicate with the larger community.” Unfortunately, the current lack of responsiveness suggests that City Hall is drifting further from these ideals, not closer to them.

The Importance of Listening to New Ideas

Municipal government, more than any other level, should be responsive to its citizens. Residents are often closest to the problems—and the solutions. When thoughtful input, backed by data and a sincere desire to help the city, is ignored, we not only waste opportunities but erode public trust.

My report, for example, does not advocate cutting services. Rather, it outlines 14 specific actions that could reverse the trend of annual tax increases without sacrificing service levels. Some of the most straightforward ideas include:

• Establishing an Ancillary Business Department to create new revenue streams;
• Expanding Shared Services with neighbouring municipalities to reduce duplication;
• Uploading operation of the Art Gallery to Grey County, where it arguably belongs;
• Reevaluating and reducing the Economic Development budget in favour of more targeted initiatives.

These are not radical proposals. They are practical, and many could be implemented quickly with minimal disruption. Had even one or two councillors engaged in dialogue, we could already be piloting these ideas.

Parsing the Mayor’s Response

In his public remarks, the mayor highlights a silver lining in the 2023 BMA Municipal Study: that Owen Sound’s ranking for tax levy per capita improved compared to other Ontario municipalities. While this is technically true, context matters.

The improvement simply means that Owen Sound didn’t raise taxes as much as others did in 2022. Many of those comparators, however, are single-tier municipalities, which shoulder broader responsibilities such as water, sewer, and policing—all at higher costs. Owen Sound, as a lower-tier municipality, benefits from county-level services and therefore should be far more efficient in its tax structure.

Despite this modest improvement, the actual per capita tax levy still increased—from $1,824 in 2021 to $1,850 in 2022. That’s a $26 increase per resident. In practical terms, that’s tax growth, not relief.

The mayor also suggests that reversing this trend would require cutting essential services—a false dichotomy. As my report details, there are several alternate strategies that would allow Council to reduce the tax burden without sacrificing service delivery.

The Cost of Inaction

In 2024, Council approved a 3.4% tax increase. For comparison, Georgian Bluffs—a neighbouring rural municipality—is considering a 4.82% increase. On the surface, Owen Sound’s increase may appear more restrained. But relative to our already higher tax base, Georgian Bluffs would need many years of higher increases just to catch up.

Based on our current disparity, a 3.4% increase in Owen Sound alongside a 4.82% increase in Georgian Bluffs would mean it will take 67 years to reach tax parity. Alternatively, if Owen Sound were to implement a 2% tax reduction in 2024 and sustain that path, we could achieve tax parity with Georgian Bluffs in just 12 years.

The situation requires bold, proactive fiscal leadership—yet budget deliberations this year lasted just over 2.5 hours, despite a full day being allocated. That is simply not enough time to give meaningful consideration to a multi-million-dollar budget that directly affects every resident and business.

A Call for Accountability and Collaboration

Council’s unwillingness to engage with detailed, constructive feedback from residents is not just disappointing—it is detrimental to good governance. Elected officials have a responsibility to foster a culture where public input is not just tolerated, but actively welcomed. Otherwise, we risk entrenching a cycle where only internal voices are heard, and innovative or dissenting ideas are sidelined.

Owen Sound deserves a council that values its residents as partners in building a better community—not just passive taxpayers or occasional voters. Ignoring thoughtful, well-researched citizen contributions undermines transparency, accountability, and progress.

It’s time for Council to re-embrace the principles of open dialogue and civic engagement. If we truly believe that “all ideas must be considered,” then we must start by listening to the people who take the time to offer them.