Oakville’s 2019-2020 Annual Report now available online

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on us over the last two years and the Town of Oakville’s emergency and recovery plans are highlighted in the 2019-2020 Annual Report it just released.

Now available for the public online, the annual report

highlights key achievements in delivering on the goals outlined in the 2019-2022 Strategic Plan and continued success in maintaining Oakville’s fiscal health.

The external audit, conducted by KPMG, provided an unqualified audit opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

An unqualified, or “clean” audit opinion indicates that the financial statements prepared by the Town are a fair presentation of the Town’s financial position and financial results for the past year.

“The COVID-19 pandemic tested all of us,” said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. “I am proud of how our community, staff and Council have responded to the challenges and opportunities we faced in 2020.

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“We worked to ensure Oakville comes through the pandemic stronger than ever and have focused on the priorities laid out in our strategic plan: community engagement, government accountability, the environment, mobility and, above all, livability. Together, we continue to go forward, or ‘Avancez’ as our town motto suggests.”

The report also outlines some of the town’s key successes achieved in 2019-2020, including:

Activation of the town’s Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) in March 2020 when it became apparent that the COVID-19 pandemic would have significant impact on town operations. The town actively responded to the pandemic through emergency and recovery plans, ensuring public safety while maintaining municipal operations.

When COVID-19 lockdowns hit local businesses hard, Mayor Rob Burton convened a special economic task force to provide immediate relief comprising of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce, BIAs, Visit Oakville, and Economic Development staff. Their 10-point plan included providing property tax assistance, waiving parking fees, and temporarily suspending by-laws to support modified business operations.

Positive 2019 Citizen Survey results, showing that 81 per cent of residents expressed overall satisfaction with the government of the Town of Oakville.

Completion of the Lakeshore Road Reconstruction and Streetscape Project. This $26 million investment to revitalize Downtown Oakville included enhanced roadways, tree-lined boulevards, plenty of seating and improved pedestrian and cycle paths.

Reopening of Tannery and Waterworks Park at Oakville Harbour; the town’s most extensive park and shoreline redevelopment to date. To pay tribute to Oakville’s original inhabitants, the park now honours a First Nations history wall and gathering circle.

Development of the 2020 budget that resulted in a 3.08 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill, for an overall property tax increase of 2 per cent — meeting Council’s direction to keep the overall property tax increase in line with inflation.

Declaration of a climate emergency in Oakville by Council in June 2019 to signal the importance of scaling up our efforts. In 2020, the town strengthened its commitment by laying the groundwork for the development of a corporate ‘climate lens tool’ that will ensure the integration of climate change impacts into all of the town’s decisions.

Completion of the state-of-the-art Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre (OTCC). The construction of the OTCC is part of the town’s Former Hospital Site Project, to create a vibrant new community centre, neighbourhood park, and future residential area and seniors-oriented housing district to meet the needs of Oakville residents.

“As we reflect on our accomplishments in 2019 and 2020, we have a lot to be proud of and much to look forward to,” said CAO Jane Clohecy. “The Town’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic stands out. Together, we faced challenges head-on, shifted operations and kept the safety and interests of our residents at the forefront.

“We remained flexible and innovative and as a result, we are now in a position to come back from this experience stronger and better prepared for the future.”

The annual report is available by going to https://www.oakville.ca/townhall/annual-reports.html.