Mayors engage in war of words over municipal amalgamation

The debate about an amalgamation of Brantford and Brant County erupted Thursday with mayors of both municipalities stating their case on social media.

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Mayor Kevin Davis announced Thursday that he has directed city staff to hire an independent consultation to study the potential of amalgamation. Davis raised the subject of such a study at a city council committee meeting in mid-December. The study is expected to cost $75,000.

Davis said the direction is to provide valuable information to help the city build a brighter, more connected future for the region. As well it will address key concerns facing Brantford citizens.

But Brant County Mayor David Bailey said the county is unequivocally opposed to amalgamation. Bailey said tactics being used by Davis are “unproductive and misguided.”

Davis said the evaluation, to be done by an independent consultant, will also evaluate services historically shared by the city and county including housing, paramedics and recreation.

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The mayor, in a statement, also cited aquatics as a service in need of closer examination.

“Currently, more than 30 per cent of those using the Wayne Gretzky Sports Center pool are County of Brant residents as there is no indoor pool in the county,” Davis said in his statement. “However, county residents do not contribute through their property taxes to the annual $1.5 million operating deficit for this facility.

“This creates an imbalance where city taxpayers are covering the costs of this shared resource.”

Davis further said citizens have voiced their concerns and the need for better transportation routes connecting West Brant with Highway 403 and other parts of the city.

“This issue remains a paramount concern for residents, particularly in the south west portion of the city where enormous growth has been experienced,” Davis said. “The city has attempted on several opportunities to work with the county to resolve this regional issue working collaboratively.

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“This has included joint delegations with the Ministry of Transportation, which the county refused to participate in.”

Davis said refusal to work together and plan alternate solutions has left the city with no solutions outside of an expansion of Oak Park Road.

The city has made a number of attempts to resolve differences and chart a more equitable and efficient way forward for the two municipalities, Davis said in his statement.

The attempts include resurrection of the joint (city-county) services committee to identify and resolve key issues impacting the both municipalities, Davis said.

“Last spring, the county voted to dissolve this committee and refused to further participate in elected officials reviewing an expansion of services to be provided jointly or cooperatively,” Davis said in his statement. “The city attempted to establish a similar committee in 2019: The County of Brant voted against establishing or joining at that time as well.”

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But Bailey said the county and city have a history of successful partnerships and is always open to exploring new ventures with all of its neighbors.

“To say the city was rebuffed by the county when it comes to joint services is categorically false,” Bailey said. “Because Mayor Davis did not get want he wanted (land) out of the committee structure, does not translate into the county being uncooperative.

“The county believes any joint services or initiative, must accomplish three goals – common interest, mutual benefit and cost-effectiveness.”

Bailey said not every problem the city wants to address is the responsibility of the county to solve and vice versa.

“The county will not be strong armed into initiatives simply because the city wants them,” Bailey said.

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In response to use of the Gretzky center pool, Bailey said the county has four ice pads, indoor turf at Syl Apps Community Center, an outdoor pool in Paris and three splash pads.

“I’m certain that many City of Brantford residents go beyond their borders for recreation,” Bailey said.

Plans call for the city’s study to be shared with members of government and other levels of government by the fall of 2025.

“As both communities continue to grow, it’s important to explore the most cost-effective and efficient options for service delivery,” Davis said. “We must move beyond invisible boundaries and consider the benefits a regional approach can offer to our residents.”

Bailey said he’s not surprised that Davis would want to be part of a prosperous, growing community like the county.

“However, his tactics are unproductive and misguided,” Bailey said. “There is nothing thoughtful or collaborative about this approach.”

Bailey said amalgamation is a complex and serious undertaking, led by the province not by a single municipality.

Davis said he is disappointed by Bailey’s response.

“Who can possibly be threatened by acquiring more knowledge and understanding of an important issue for both communities,” Davis said. “I think he doth protest too much.”

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