Strategic Plan 2024-2027
Strategic Plan 2024-2027
At their Regular Meeting of Council on November 5, 2025, the Council of the Town of Aylmer passed the below resolution:
That Report CAO 45-25, respecting 2025-2027 Strategic Plan Update, be received as information.
Vision
Proud Heritage. Bright Future.
Mandate
To embrace the quality of life in Aylmer and build upon it. To assist residents, visitors, and businesses in accessing unique opportunities. To ensure that the Town has the appropriate plans in place to support future growth and maintain our existing assets. To be a leader in both environmental stewardship and public service excellence.
Pillar One – Dynamic, Inclusive Community
We create unique opportunities for individuals and families to live, work, and play.
We Do This by Focusing On
- Embracing our diverse culture and heritage
- Creating lasting memories for our youth
- Engaging people to be community leaders
- Creating a safe, inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds
Pillar Two – Planning for the Future
We have a strong vision for the future, focused on opportunities for sustainability and growth.
We Do This by Focusing On
- Ensuring sustainability and fiscal responsibility through long-range budgeting
- Ensuring adequate land for future growth
- Understanding and exploring partnerships that are in the best interest of our community
- Ensuring we have community facilities, assets, infrastructure, and green space
Pillar Three – Economic Vitality
Aylmer is a destination which is a crossroads of unique heritage and modern commerce.
We Do This by Focusing On
- Partnering with businesses for community improvement
- Attracting growth through targeted initiatives
- Promoting diverse housing options for our community
- Sharing how good life is in Aylmer
Pillar Four – Environmental Stewardship and Active Lifestyles
We are a leader in environmental stewardship.
We Do This by Focusing On
- Developing plans and implementing the Parks and Recreation Master Plan
- Expanding the active transportation network (trails and sidewalks in Town)
- Promoting environmental stewardship in our community
- Continuing to institute policies that support environmental stewardship
- Continuing to partner with others to advance environmental stewardship in our community
Pillar Five – Public Service Excellence Goals
We offer user-friendly, streamlined services through our knowledgeable, approachable staff.
We Do This by Focusing On
- Delivering municipal services in a safe and efficient manner
- Enhancing service delivery through technological and communication improvements
- Focus on open, honest and transparent dialogue, both internally and with the community
- Pride in public service – employees should be engaged, empowered, and enabled to provide the best services for the community
- Continue to foster an environment that values the integrity and ethics of staff
Strategic Objectives – November 2025
| Area | Description | Priority Level | Dates | Update |
| Operations | Plan to increase water servicing capacity | AA | Water Tower project completed Fall of 2025 | completed. |
| Annual Review Comments: Suggest removing the project in next annual review. | ||||
| Operations/ Finance | Parks and Recreation Master Plan | AA | -Develop capital budgeting for projects and deliverables within the 10-year forecast | Ongoing projects on an annual basis. Present broader plan in Q1 2027 for incoming Council. |
| Annual Review Comments: Significant work undertaken in 2025. Resolved outstanding ball diamond project with local organizations. Substantial ongoing capital investments in EECC to address age of facility. 2026 was unfortunately impacted by the large cost of repairs to outdoor pools, however projects such as trail expansion are proceeding. | ||||
| Legislative Services/Finance | Email module GP, notices, tax bills, etc. Online payments for credit card | AA | -Phase II modernization | completed |
| Annual Review Comments: Significant further modernization completed in 2025. Mark as completed and remove, with encouraging paperless billing, e-payment, and automated customer service adoption being added as a lower priority item. | ||||
| Infrastructure Services / Finance | GIS/Asset Management Integration | AA ‘Revise to A’ | -Project proceeding well. -update CRV for parks, EECC, facilities, vehicles | GIS component still ongoing. |
| Annual Review Comments: The Town is currently not maximizing the potential usages of GIS. This is not unique to Aylmer and ongoing discussions are occurring at the County level upon GIS services. There is a potential for future shared staffing options however more work and analysis of the benefits is required first. | ||||
| CAO | Boundary Adjustment | AA | Council requested a provincial facilitator to assist in a final agreement | ASAP |
| Annual Review Comments: Expansion to the Town’s Boundaries remains an important objective for the long-range planning of the Town of Aylmer and is necessary for regional economic development and growth. | ||||
| Operations | SCADA Enhancements | AA | Completed in 2025 | Completed |
| Annual Review Comments: Project was successful mark as completed and remove from strategic objectives. | ||||
| Operations | Lagoon Enhancements | AA | Capital Enhancements required for future growth | Main Lagoon Upgrades 2026 |
| Annual Review Comments: SCADA implementation is ongoing. Main lagoon upgrade project has been delayed due to additional requirements from the Ministry of the Environment. All requirements have been fulfilled, and construction will be awarded in spring of 2026. | ||||
| Operations | Recreation Services – Enhanced website/online program registration | AA | Examine options to enhance recreation programming presence online. | Ongoing |
| Annual Review Comments: Staff have successfully implemented new recreation software with improved user functionality. Staff have entered into agreements for gymnasium usage and been awarded $25,000 in grant funding for free seniors programming. Additional work and programming will continue to be developed. | ||||
| Operations | Capital Planning – Parks and Trails | AA | Develop plan/prioritization of capital works in Parks and Trails | 2026 |
| Annual Review Comments: Staff will proceed with engineering for trail connection to the EECC with the intention of utilizing Development Charge revenues for the project. | ||||
| Operations/CAO | EECC | AA | Significant efficiencies have been implemented at the EECC. Including closures on Mondays and Tuesdays and consolidating ice schedules. The facility is generating annual surplus’ from revenues exceeding expectations. | Completed / ongoing |
| Annual Review Comments: Mark as completed and remove. Negotiations to a new governance model and agreement are anticipated to conclude and be adopted by both Councils in early 2026. | ||||
| Finance/ Legislative Services | Transitioning Financial Management Systems | A | Preparations in 2026 for 2027 to 2028 implementation | New |
| Annual Review Comments: The Town’s existing financial management system has been in use for over two decades and the software is reaching end of life in 2029. It is important for the Town to take steps to ensure of transition to a new system is smooth and supported due to the centrality of this software to all municipal functions. This software is used for all financial functions, including budgeting, account payable, accounts receivable, tax collections, and interfacing with payroll software. | ||||
| Legislative Services | Examination Indoor Pool | A Revise to ‘B’ | Review the potential for an indoor pool. | Assigned as a long-term priority. |
| Annual Review Comments: Work continues to proactively reduce the Town’s I.T. risks, with Zouling Technologies now fully engaged as Aylmer’s new information technology support. Further, staff have completed a comprehensive review of Aylmer’s IT infrastructure, and significant infrastructure updates. | ||||
| CAO | Land Disposition | A Revise to ‘B’ | -Ongoing with the marketing and sale of AIM Park Lands | – Remain as a priority until lands in AIM Park are 50% sold. |
| Annual Review Comments: Marketing and land sales have remained successful in 2025. Land reserves are replenished and there is not any immediate pressure to dispose of lands. | ||||
| CAO | Aylmer Library | A Revise to ‘AA’ | -New direction received on October 15, 2025, to proceed with Option 1 engineering & design | – Staff to complete work identified by Council and present project status to the incoming 2026-2030 term of Council. |
| CAO | Homelessness | A Revise to ‘B’ | Advocate for investment by Elgin – St. Thomas Social Services in more local supports in Aylmer. -Offer supports to local groups seeking to deliver services in Aylmer. | -Ongoing issue of advocacy |
| CAO | Affordable Housing | A Revise to ‘B’ | Advocate for greater investment in Aylmer for Affordable Housing opportunities. | -ongoing priority |
| CAO | Cycling connectivity | A | Elgin County’s transportation Masterplan does not appear to make cycling connectivity in urban areas a priority. | – Continue to review the potential for cycling connectivity within the Town based on no County support |
| Annual Review Comments: Elgin County completed their Transportation Master Plan in 2025. It does not appear likely that the Town can anticipate any support from the County for cycling infrastructure on County Roads within our boundary. | ||||
| CAO | Economic Development | A Revise to ‘B’ | Participate with Elgin County in identifying opportunities for enhanced Economic Development. | Ongoing work with the County. |
| Annual Review Comments: Continue to assess and bring matters that support Economic Development forward to Council proactively. Undertake necessary DC study and update to CIP as required. | ||||
| Infrastructure Services/ Legislative Services | Enhanced Enforcement | B | -Develop a proposal to increase response levels to By-Law and Parking issues. | For review 2026-2030 Term |
| Annual Review Comments: Staff have continued to review and consider potential options for Council. This is a difficult area since complaints are low. Increased enforcement would be anticipated to result in increased complaints. Recommend bringing this issue before the next term for decision. | ||||
| All – Legislative Services Lead | Old townhall Long-term plan & Community engagement | B | -Develop road map for OTH facility | For decision in Q1 of 2026 by next term |
| Annual Review Comments: The Old Town Hall Advisory Committee is scheduled to complete their review and make recommendations to Council in June of 2026. | ||||
| Legislative Services | Increase adoption of paperless and automated customer service functions | B | Develop strategies for promotion, and metrics for tracking of, paperless and automated customer service functions. | New |
| Annual Review Comments: This is an evolution of the Town’s previous goals of implementing new technologies and modernizations. The benefits of these technologies grow with increased adoption, included environmental stewardship, reduced staffing requirements, direct savings in terms of mailing costs. | ||||
| CAO/ Legislative Services | Review Animal Control Policies and Feral/Stray Cat Programing | C | completed | Ongoing aspects around the implementation of TNR program in 2026 |
| Annual Review Comments: Further report on the TNR program in 2026, following program implementation and review and revision of the animal control by-law, this item should be marked as completed and removed. | ||||
| Legislative Services | 2nd Floor Town Hall | C | Make a long-term plan upon renovations to the 2nd floor Town Hall and examine the cost of accessibility upgrades associated with that floor. | 2028 |
| Annual Review Comments: Project not substantially advanced in 2024. Given anticipated capital costs with other facilities recommend placing a longer time frame on the project of 2028. | ||||
| Legislative Services | Review Customer Service | C | Develop metrics and tracking of customer service interactions. Completed | Completed. |
| Annual Review Comments: First annual report has been presented. Ongoing annual reports will be presented. Mark as completed and remove. | ||||