Lanark County Council to weigh $1.74M salt contract; committees review policies
Lanark County's recent meetings were all agenda-only, with minutes not yet published. The most consequential item on the table was a proposed $1,741,400 contract for bulk coarse highway salt, which Council will consider awarding to Compass Minerals. Other committees reviewed updated policies, child care waitlist rules, and a natural heritage strategy. No decisions have been recorded as of this writing.
County Council
Council's August 12 agenda included a recommendation to award a $1,741,400 (plus HST) contract for bulk coarse highway salt to Compass Minerals, the lowest compliant bidder. The item is listed as PW-M-69-2026-26-E4. Council also moved in camera to discuss an update on Official Plan Amendment No. 18 (Aggregate Resources), citing litigation and negotiation exceptions. In addition, Council will consider moving its September 9, 2026 regular and committee meetings to September 16, 2026 to accommodate the OEMC conference. Routine approvals of minutes and a by-law to confirm proceedings were also on the agenda.
Corporate Services Committee
The committee reviewed an updated Video Surveillance Policy (Report C-09-2026) and a new User Fees and Charges Bylaw (Report C-10-2026), both recommended for Council approval. It also received reports on paramedic activities (Q1 and Q2 summaries), a financial summary for the period ending June 30, 2026, and communications including a Municipal Energy Plan Program review feedback opportunity and the doubling of OCIF funding.
Community Services Committee
Two new Social Services policies were on the agenda: the Active Kids, Bright Futures policy (SS-11-2026), effective September 1, 2026, and updated child care waitlist priority rules for CWELCC centres (SS-12-2026). The committee also moved in camera to discuss contract negotiations for the Five Arches Non-Profit Housing Corporation (SS-13-2026). A progress update on the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan 2025 was received, along with communications from Mississauga on intimate partner violence shelters and South Stormont on a food insecurity emergency declaration.
Government Relations Working Group
This working group's agenda was largely procedural: approval of May 13, 2026 minutes, a review of the OMSSA Provincial Priorities and Delegation Guide, and verbal updates on the AMO hospitality suite and delegation from Warden Richard Kidd and Clerk Jasmin Ralph.
Natural Heritage System Working Group
The working group reviewed and finalized a draft vision statement and guiding principles for the Natural Heritage System Strategy. It also received a project update noting that the Early Engagement Tool had received 19 submissions as of August 12, 2026, with the tool open until August 31, 2026. Comments highlighted the Algonquin Adirondack Corridor and the Mississippi River Key Biodiversity Area. Minutes from the June 24, 2026 Community Services Committee meeting were approved.
Coming up
- **Economic Development Committee** – August 26, 2026: The committee will vote on draft approval for two subdivisions: Mill Run Extension Phase 7 & 8 in Mississippi Mills and the Matheson & Rosedale subdivision in Montague. It will also direct staff to draft a by-law designating the K&P Trail as a Wilderness Trail and an interim management plan, and receive information on proposed provincial Planning Act changes and a new Development Charges Reduction Program.