Township News
February/March 2025
Council Meeting Schedule
Regularly scheduled Meetings of Council for the months of February and March 2025 will take place on the following dates:
Council Meetings:
Wednesday, February 12th – 3:00 p.m. Public Session
Wednesday, February 26th – 3:00 p.m. Public Session
Wednesday, March 12th – 3:00 p.m. Public Session
Wednesday, March 26th – 3:00 p.m. Public Session
Development Services Committee Meetings:
Wednesday, February 5th – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 5th – 5:30 p.m.
All meeting times are subject to change, and Special Meetings of Council may also be called on an as needed basis. For a complete schedule of 2025 Council meetings, please visit the Council Portal available through our website – bit.ly/3Gz6S1B.
Please Note: Township Council Chambers are open to the public. To ensure safety of the public, members of Council, and staff, room capacity limits are in place.
Virtual attendance is available, with Council meetings following a hybrid format and continued live-streaming. Members of the public are welcome to view Special Council and Development Services Committee Meetings via livestream on the Township’s YouTube channel.
Public Participation in Electronic Meetings
The Township of Oro-Medonte’s Procedural By-law allows for electronic participation at Council meetings. Protocols have been established to advise how to participate in the public portions of these meetings. Please visit Council | Township of Oro-Medonte for more information, including how to participate in Open Forum or request a deputation/presentation.
Live Streaming
Township of Oro-Medonte Council meetings are live streamed. To view meetings live, visit bit.ly/44CAbLT and subscribe to the Township’s YouTube channel – Township of Oro-Medonte.
Winter Recreation Programs
Registration for winter recreation programs is open. The Township is offering a variety of programs for pre-school, children, and adults. Please visit Recreational Programs | Township of Oro-Medonte and watch our social media channels for program details and additional information.
Outdoor Rink Volunteers Needed
The Township’s outdoor rinks are maintained annually by dedicated, generous, and community minded volunteers. We are currently recruiting volunteers for the winter season. The Township provides all necessary training and equipment. Please consider joining our team of volunteers and help make a difference in your community. For additional information, please contact Jodi Grubb, Supervisor, Community Recreation and Special Events at jgrubb@oro-medonte.ca, and visit Skating and Ice Rinks | Township of Oro-Medonte for rink locations and to learn additional details about volunteering.
Ice time for the Oro-Medonte Community Arena can be booked online by visiting oro-medonte.perfectmind.com.
Digital Parking Permits
The Township has fully transitioned to digital parking permits for all Oro-Medonte residents and non-residents available through HonkMobile. Please note current parking stickers will expire on March 31st. To obtain your two (2) free digital parking permits, please visit Parking | Township of Oro-Medonte as soon as possible.
E-billing Option for Tax and Utility Account Bills
The Township is pleased to offer Oro-Medonte residents the option to receive tax and utility account bills by e-mail. To sign up for e-billing with delivery to your inbox, please visit Paperless E-Billing Sign-up Form – Township of Oro-Medonte. Please note delivery of e-bills will be provided to residents in early spring of 2025. The first tax and utility account bill for 2025 will be mailed to the address on file with the Township.
Township Phone System Upgrade
The Township has transitioned to a new upgraded and modernized phone system. Our new system offers enhanced features including voice recognition to connect with members of Council and staff, dial by name directory, and the option to be connected to individual Township departments the same way callers are accustomed to. Reception can be reached at any time by pressing zero. Please note telephone extensions are no longer required with the new system.
City of Barrie Boundary Expansion Request
The Township has developed a dedicated webpage on our website regarding the City of Barrie’s boundary expansion request. The following information is available by visiting oro-medonte.ca/cbber:
- background information;
- frequently asked questions;
- Hemson Consulting reports and presentations;
- detailed staff reports;
- the presentation provided by Hemson Consulting at the Wednesday, December 11, 2024 Council meeting including Council’s discussion; and
- public statements and media releases.
The Township has initiated the preparation of a new Comprehensive Zoning By-law. The new By-law is required to implement policies of the new Official Plan adopted by the Township on October 5, 2022, and to provide updated zoning and development standards that reflect current policy and regulatory initiatives at the Provincial, County and Township level. To keep up-to-date, please visit Zoning By-law Review | Township of Oro-Medonte and follow the Township’s social media channels. Please submit questions or comments to zoningbylawreview@oro-medonte.ca.
Open Air Burn Permits
In accordance with the Township’s Fees and Charges By-law No. 2024-094, please note there is a $10.00 fee for all Open Air Burn Permits which may be paid online by visiting Burn Permits – Township of Oro-Medonte or in person at the Administration Building.
Oro-Medonte Fire & Emergency Services Home Fire and Life Safety Audit Program
Oro-Medonte Fire & Emergency Services (OMFES) has implemented a Home Fire & Life Safety Audit Program for Oro-Medonte residents. The program aims to:
- Enhance fire safety in your home
- Identify and mitigate potential risks
- Ensure your compliance with the Ontario Fire Code
- Assess fire protection and detection devices
- Ensure you have working smoke & CO alarms where required
- Review your home escape plan
- Provide expert advice on home fire protection equipment
Please take advantage of this program to make your home safer by calling OMFES at 705-487-2171 to book your appointment.
2025 Property Tax and Water Bill Due Dates
Property Taxes
Property taxes are calculated annually by applying Council’s approved tax rates to property assessment values as provided by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). Tax rates include Township, County, and education taxes. Payment for property taxes is due in four installments on the last business day of February, April, July and September respectively.
Water Bills
Water usage is billed quarterly, with payment due dates falling on the last business day of February, May, August, and November. The fourth quarterly payment for 2024 usage must be made no later than Friday, February 28, 2025, and the first quarterly payment for 2025 usage must be made no later than Friday, May 30, 2025.
In order to assist with keeping track of the Township’s water billing schedule, please see below:
| Water Billing Schedule | ||
| Usage Period | Bills Mailed | Payment Due Last Business Day of: |
| January – March | April | May |
| April – June | July | August |
| July – September | October | November |
| October – December | January | February |
County of Simcoe Waste Collection Calendars
The County of Simcoe waste collection calendar will not be mailed to Simcoe County residents in 2025. Instead, the County is offering residents several convenient options to access their waste calendars including:
- The Simcoe County Collects App – access your personalized calendar based on your zone and receive alerts, look up collection information etc. from your cell phone. To download the Simcoe County Collects App, please visit Collections Schedule – Simcoe County.
- E-Calendar – view a downloadable, printable, online version by visiting Collections Schedule – Simcoe County.
- Pick-Up Locations – paper copies of calendars are available for pick-up at all County of Simcoe waste drop-off facilities, the County’s Administration Centre in Midhurst, and local municipal offices. For full details regarding pick-up locations, please visit Collections Schedule – Simcoe County.
- Request a copy to be mailed – residents are welcome to get in touch with the County’s Contact Centre to request a calendar. Please email service@simcoe.ca or call 705-735-6901 to request a mailed copy.
Braestone Winter Classic – Charity Pond Hockey Tournament
Registration is open for the 2025 Braestone Winter Classic. For registration and tournament details, please see 2025 Braestone Winter Classic.
Oro-Medonte Citizen of the Year and Ontario Senior of the Year Award Nominations
Township Social Media Channels
General Township information that might be of interest can be found by visiting and following the Township’s social media channels:
X/Twitter at
Twp. of Oro-Medonte (@TwpOroMedonte) / Twitter
Facebook at
Township of Oro-Medonte | Facebook
Instagram at
Township of Oro-Medonte (@oromedontetwp)
Upcoming Office Closures
The Township Administration Centre will be closed on Monday, February 17th for Family Day with regular business hours resuming at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18th.
Township of Oro-Medonte News
148 Line 7 South, Oro-Medonte, Ontario LOL 2E0
Phone: (705) 487-2171
Fax: (705) 487-0133
Email: info@oro-medonte.ca
Proud Heritage / Exciting Future
www.oro-medonte.ca
Stay Up-to-Date and Connected with the Township Through Reliable Sources of Information
As we begin a new year with exciting projects and initiatives ahead, the Township is taking this opportunity to remind the Oro-Medonte community of various ways to remain informed, up-to-date, and connected regarding Township business.
We recognize that in today’s busy world, it is necessary to provide residents and business owners with a variety of ways to receive information.
The Township communicates through the following methods:
- Township website – found by visiting oro-medonte.ca
- Council Highlights & Township Updates monthly e-newsletter – subscribe to the e-newsletter here – sign up for the Council Highlights & Township Updates e-newsletter
- Township corporate social media channels:
- X/Twitter at of Oro-Medonte (@TwpOroMedonte) / Twitter
- Facebook at Township of Oro-Medonte | Facebook
- Instagram at Township of Oro-Medonte (@oromedontetwp)
- Township page in North Simcoe Life – found by visiting northsimcoe.life
- Inserts provided with tax bills delivered through Canada Post
- On occasion, the Township will advertise on local radio stations, and place notices/advertisements in Simoce.com, OrilliaMatters.com, and BarrieToday.com.
Information received through any of the above methods is guaranteed to be accurate, reliable, and factual Township communication/information. It does not include individual thoughts and/or opinions, and is the best way to keep up-to-date regarding Township business, initiatives, activities, and events.
Information posted on social media channels, websites, and blogs other than those maintained by the Township, does not reflect the official position of Council, nor the municipality, on issues of interest to the reader. You are encouraged to follow the Township’s corporate social media channels to find unbiased and reliable information.
Quite often, a dedicated landing page on the Township’s website will be created for projects and initiatives that have longer durations, are of particular interest, or have the potential of great impact to the community. These website landing pages serve as a repository for information including:
- background information;
- Township staff reports;
- external studies, reports, and presentations oftentimes conducted by professional consulting firms;
- frequently asked questions;
- public statements and media releases;
- mapping; and
- historical information.
The City of Barrie’s boundary expansion request is an excellent example of an initiative generated by a request from our neighbouring community, with the potential for significant impact on Oro-Medonte, where determination was made that a dedicated website landing page is necessary. Important information including items referenced above can be found by visiting oro-medonte.ca/cbber. To remain up-to-date, Oro-Medonte residents are encouraged to bookmark the page on their devices, and check back often.
Additionally, the Township’s website offers a Council portal where information regarding upcoming Council and Committee meetings can be found. Within the portal you can:
- subscribe to meetings that interest you to receive email notifications when agendas are posted;
- review agendas and minutes within the meeting area;
- view upcoming and past meetings using the calendar;
- search for agenda documents and minutes in the online library; and
- find contact information for the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, and your Ward Councillor.
To access the Portal, please visit Township of Oro-Medonte – Home (civicweb.net).
In addition, all Council meetings (regular and special), and Development Services Committee meetings are available through live streaming on the Township’s YouTube channel. If you are unable to watch meetings live, video recordings can be viewed at any time. Please subscribe to the Township’s YouTube channel to follow live streaming, and to view previous meetings. There is also the opportunity to visit the Council Chambers during meetings with seating provided in the audience area.
Regardless of how Oro-Medonte community members choose to receive information, the communication methods outlined above ensures reliable, timely, accurate, factual, and up-to-date information regarding the Township.