From unveiling a modernized homeless shelter to re-opening a walk-in clinic to enhancing 100-plus kilometres of roadway, Northumberland County has made strides this year in housing, health care and infrastructure, the county’s warden says.
Northumberland County Warden Brian Ostrander reflected on the accomplishments of 2024 during the regular meeting of Northumberland County council on Wednesday (December 18). County staff also showed a video that highlighted some of the county’s successes over the past 12 months.
“As this year’s session of Northumberland County council comes to a close, I want to express my deep gratitude to both staff and council for their dedication and contributions to our community,” Ostrander said during the meeting. “Together through all of the various challenges, we made meaningful progress as a team.”
Ostrander mentioned how council and the county worked collectively to maintain “the delicate balance” between servicing unique municipal priorities while delivering on key county-wide services.
Examples include paramedic care, social service programs, waste management, and infrastructure investments.
“We found solutions to complex problems, ensuring the continued delivery of our strategic priorities,” Ostrander said. That collaboration with county staff, along with partnerships with Alderville First Nation, community organizations, the provincial and federal governments, and others were critical in helping Northumberland achieve its milestones, he noted.
VIDEO: 2024 Year In Review – Northumberland County
“Our achievements in 2024 spanned a wide range of successes,” Ostrander said. “In health care, the launch of the Port Hope walk-in clinic addressed critical gaps in access to doctors.”
“For families, we’ve made strides in addressing the need for expanded daycare spaces and child and family-centred programming. “On infrastructure, we delivered well over 100 kilometres of essential road maintenance, rehabilitating bridges and culverts, and launched the multi-year County Road 64 reconstruction project.”
In terms of environmental efforts, Northumberland introduced a greenhouse gas reduction plan as part of a broader climate action strategy, he noted.
In the realm of affordable housing, the second phase of the Elgin Park development in Cobourg is nearly complete, which will increase the number of rent-geared-to-income and market rate units by 20.
Northumberland also took “additional steps forward” in pre-construction activity on an affordable housing development on Ontario Street in Cobourg, the warden said.
The county also secured land in Cobourg for future construction. In the village of Colborne, Northumberland announced additional units for the affordable housing development on King Street.
“This year has not been without financial pressures,” Ostrander said.
“Rising costs have made it more challenging to deliver programs and services. But despite these pressures, we’ve remained fiscally responsible, finding efficiencies while funding essential priorities, and managing community needs with care.”
Looking to 2025, Ostrander further emphasized in a media release issued by the county the importance of advocacy and partnership to address systemic challenges facing municipalities, including reliance on property taxes and the increasing complexity of local government responsibilities.
“We will continue advocating for a modernized funding framework that equips municipalities to meet today’s realities,” Ostrander said. “By strengthening partnerships with our Indigenous neighbours, local municipalities, community organizations, and other levels of government, we can create more sustainable solutions to support our residents over the long term.”
The warden identified four priorities for the new year, including approving a county budget “reflective of current economic conditions,” expanding access to affordable housing and childcare, ehancing paramedic and social services, and maintaining and improving critical infrastructure.
“We have many reasons to be optimistic,” Ostrander said. “Together, with the leadership of this council and the strength of our community, we will continue to deliver on our commitments, meeting today’s needs while laying the groundwork for a bright future for Northumberland.”
