Gravenhurst Council Highlights - May 12, 2026
Health unit shares Alcohol Data Brief with council members
Council received correspondence from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
In an April 15 letter to area mayors, the health unit said its Alcohol Data Brief, included in the letter, is intended to help municipalities consider the health and social impacts of increased alcohol access and availability, when reviewing existing municipal alcohol policies and related bylaws.
The brief notes that alcohol use is responsible for approximately 7,665 emergency department visits, 840 hospitalizations, and 275 deaths annually in Simcoe Muskoka.
Town to review Land Acknowledgement Statement, Indigenous training to form part of new council orientation
Council passed a resolution directing staff to include a review of the town’s Land Acknowledgement Statement with the new term of council.
Council also directed in the resolution that Indigenous awareness training be included as part of the new council’s orientation.
Council calls for review and amendments to sign bylaw
Gravenhurst council members passed a resolution directing staff to review an element of the town’s sign bylaw.
In the resolution, they asked staff to report back with amendments to the bylaw that would permit community event businesses permission to post a maximum of eight incidental signs for up to 24 hours in advance of an event. The signs would need to be removed at the end of the event.
Council places operating surplus in reserves
Council received the 2025 Operating Year End Report for information.
“The purpose of the report is to provide an overview of financial performance for the year and recommend the appropriate treatment of the 2025 year-end operating surplus,” staff wrote in the report.
Council directed that the 2025 operating surplus of $817,164 be transferred to reserves.
Specifically, $217,164 will go to the Tax Stabilization Reserve and the balance to the Community Reinvestment Reserve.
Staff noted in the report that the surplus is “primarily attributable to the sale of a 7-year Principal Protected Note (PPN). This transaction represented a strategic, one-time reallocation of investment proceeds to support in-year operating pressures and maintain financial flexibility. In addition to this one-time factor, the surplus was further supported by favourable supplementary and omitted taxes, lower-than-expected tax write-offs, and strong Recreation and Culture revenues.”
Final Tax Rate By-law passed
Town council received the 2026 Final Tax Rate Bylaw Report for information.
“The purpose of the report is to bring forward the 2026 Final Tax Levy Bylaw for adoption,” staff said in the report.
Each year, as per provincial legislation, council must adopt a tax bylaw that establishes tax rates to be used for municipal property taxation.
Tax rates are set for each property class: residential, multi-residential, commercial, industrial, landfills, aggregate extraction, pipelines, farm and managed forest.
Later in the meeting, council passed the related bylaw.
Staff to look at pickleball court options for Muskoka Bay Park
Council received correspondence from Margaret Diotalevi.
She wrote regarding the Muskoka Bay Park Pickleball Court.
“With pickleball continuing to grow in popularity in our community, outdoor court availability is becoming increasingly limited during peak times. I’d like to propose the addition of painted pickleball lines on the existing pickleball court surface to allow for multiple courts to be set up simultaneously,” she said.
Council discussed the request and later passed a resolution directing staff to review and report back on options for converting one tennis court into multiple pickleball courts.
They also said the review should include funding options.
Reserves and reserve funds managed prudently: report
Council received the 2025 Annual Reserve and Reserve Funds Report for information.
“The purpose of the report is to share the continuity of reserve and reserve fund balances for the year ended 2025 and to provide updated projected balances for the year ending 2026 and the 10-year balances ending in 2035 for information purposes only,” staff wrote in the report.
The town’s reserves and reserve funds are being managed prudently with a focus on long-term sustainability, staff said.
“The projections provide a useful tool for informing future financial decision-making and ensuring that the town's financial resources are aligned with its strategic objectives,” staff added. “By continuing to monitor and adjust its financial plans, the town can ensure that it is well-positioned to meet the needs of its residents and stakeholders, while also addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
2025 Capital Year-End Report
Members of council received the 2025 Capital Year-End Report for information.
The purpose of the report is to provide an update on the town’s 2025 Capital Program.
“The 2025 Capital Program has demonstrated effective management and oversight, with a minimal variance from the approved budget. The completion of various projects has enhanced the town's asset base and service delivery and the ongoing projects will continue to contribute to the town's infrastructure and community development,” staff said in the report. “Overall, the town's Capital Program is proactively managed and all completed and ongoing 2025 capital projects are fully funded within the overall funding envelope approved by council.
Belonging Without Barriers report
Councillor Penny Varney provided a verbal report on the recent Belonging Without Barriers accessibility expo.
Presented by the town’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, the event took place May 7 at the Gravenhurst Seniors Centre.
The event featured an array of exhibits and guest speakers.
Topics included vision loss, pregnancy and family support, mobility services, addiction and mental health, learning services, Alzheimer's and other dementias, assistive technologies, accessible infrastructure, and independent living.
Councillor Varney thanked everyone who participated in the day.
She also commended those who helped organize the event.
Update from the Mayor
Mayor Heidi Lorenz provided her monthly update.
The mayor noted the town will announce the Senior of the Year recipient at the Mayor’s Tea on June 3 at the Gravenhurst Opera House.
She encouraged people to reserve their tickets.
Mayor Lorenz also noted that the Music on the Barge concert series begins soon and that the winners of the related Battle for the Barge contest have been announced.
The full lineup for the season will be announced on May 18.
Also, Mayor Lorenz shared that Tatham Engineering earlier in the month attended the Ontario Engineering Project Awards and won the Municipal Impact Award for the Muskoka Area Municipalities Decarbonization project.
The project involved Tatham working with the six Muskoka municipalities to create a shared roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
All six municipalities – including Gravenhurst – have committed to cutting corporate greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2050.
Mayor Lorenz commended everyone involved in the project.
Melissa Halford, director of development services, attended the award evening on behalf of the Town of Gravenhurst.
Additionally, Mayor Lorenz noted recent business success stories in the town.
On May 8, Palmeri's Your Independent Grocer in Gravenhurst celebrated its grand reopening following an extensive store renovation project.
Earlier, on May 1, Slick Back Barber celebrated its grand opening at 235 Muskoka Rd. S.
On a related note, Mayor Lorenz encouraged people to shop locally as much as possible.
Council Highlights
Council Highlights is prepared as an overview of the council meeting. For the official record, please refer to the agenda and minutes on the town website at www.gravenhurst.ca.
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