Time stamps included in this post refer to the corresponding moments in the linked meeting recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLM9R_qG68Y

Tiny Township Council (2026 Budget Planning Decisions)

Tiny Township Council advanced several planning and feasibility decisions tied to the 2026 budget, focusing on future capital needs, recreation expansion, and community events. Council moved ahead with planning for snowplow replacements, approved steps toward expanding pickleball facilities, and supported further review of Canada Day programming. While these decisions do not immediately change tax rates, they begin locking in future costs that will shape upcoming budgets.

What Happened

Why This Matters
Early planning decisions often become fixed budget pressures later. Once capital replacements, recreation expansions, or event programming move past the feasibility stage, councils frequently describe them as unavoidable costs. For residents, this means future tax or spending pressures can be set in motion well before final budget votes take place.

The Township of Tiny’s Committee of the Whole approved a procurement process for two new plow trucks with a combined estimated cost exceeding $900,000 over two years and directed staff to study the feasibility of hosting the township’s first Canada Day celebration at Palm Beach on Georgian Bay, a local waterfront area in Tiny Township, in 2026. Council also endorsed a refined pickleball strategy and established a volunteer working group to support pickleball programming across the township.

Snow equipment has no margin for failure during storms, and staff warned that long lead times now require the township to plan years in advance. At the same time, council is weighing new event ideas and recreational growth. These are choices that can strengthen community life but also bring real operating and logistical pressures that residents ultimately feel.

The agenda reflected a familiar reality for many residents: the ongoing effort to keep core services running and expand community programming while costs continue to climb.

Council approved a procurement process for two new plow trucks, with an estimated total cost of more than $900,000 over two years. One truck is planned for delivery in 2027, the second in 2028, each expected to cost approximately $450,000.

Director of Public Works David Leech told council the request is driven less by expansion and more by necessity. Equipment lead times have stretched to one to two years or longer, meaning the township must plan well in advance or risk being caught short during winter storms.

At 9:45, Leech explained that supply delays now mirror what emergency services are facing with fire trucks and ambulances.

The township uses an American Public Works Association scoring system to decide when vehicles need replacing, based on age, usage, operating and maintenance costs, condition and reliability, and the consequences if the equipment fails. Any score under 18 is considered manageable.

Two plow trucks have already exceeded that threshold:

Leech stressed that Tiny operates with no spare winter equipment. During snow events, every available vehicle is on the road at the same time to meet provincial Minimum Maintenance Standards (MMS), which set legal timelines for clearing roads.

That reality became clear when a grader failed in the township’s north end earlier this winter.

With no replacement available, staff borrowed an attachment from Springwater Township to turn a loader into a makeshift plow. The temporary fix cost the township about 48 hours of road-clearing capacity during a winter storm.

Leech outlined the full winter fleet at 13:24: nine plow trucks, two graders, two loaders plus a yard loader, two one-ton plows, and one sidewalk machine.

Rather than replacing several trucks in the same year, staff proposed a strategy of replacing roughly one plow truck per year moving forward. The goal is to avoid sharp budget spikes that would eventually land on taxpayers.

Mayor Dave Evans asked at 16:04 whether the township had worked through an earlier “blip” where three or four trucks were coming due at once. Leech confirmed that this phased approach is meant to even out those cycles.

Leech also clarified that the current report carries no financial commitment.

The RFP will establish pricing and delivery timelines. A future report will return to council for formal budget approval.

Two plows ordered in 2025 are still awaiting delivery, underscoring the lead-time issue. In the meantime, the township repaired the boxes on two single-axle trucks to “nurse them through” for a few more years.

Chair Russell also raised a question at 18:20 about plow RT28, which appears in a future replacement schedule but not in this report. Leech explained that priorities shift based on real-world usage and condition and committed to follow up with details.

Vote Result: Carried 5–0
Motion: Proceed with procurement planning for two new plow trucks, with delivery planned for 2027 and 2028.

Council also approved a feasibility study to explore hosting Tiny Township’s first township-wide Canada Day celebration at Palm Beach on Georgian Bay on July 1, 2026. The proposal would replace the existing Perkinsfield Park community barbecue.

The idea emerged from the Events and Charities Committee and is tied to a $24,000 federal Heritage Canada “Celebrate Canada” grant. Staff applied for the grant and expect a decision in April 2026.

At 50:19, Deputy Mayor Muskimuns emphasized the tight funding window.

Mayor Evans described the concept at 47:09 as an all-day, family-friendly event with activities for all ages.

Staff explored drone light shows instead of traditional fireworks, citing environmental considerations and impacts on animals. Quotes reviewed ranged from 100 to 200 drones for a 15-minute show.

Deputy Mayor Muskimuns highlighted the reasoning at 45:19, noting the effects fireworks have on pets, wildlife, and the environment.

Palm Beach was identified as a potential location because its shoreline allows broad viewing without forcing everyone into one central spot.

Mayor Evans also referenced a past Palm Beach event known as “Summer Fest,” describing it as “a great event for the whole community.”

The proposal would reallocate the existing $24,000 Perkinsfield Park barbecue budget to Canada Day programming. Evans noted that the event could still proceed in some form even if the grant is not approved, though it would need to be scaled back.

Parking and access remain major concerns. Chair Russell remarked that he had “about eight reasons” the location could be problematic, citing parking among them, but supported studying the idea further.

Russell also suggested an alternative at 51:05: expanding the existing barbecue event and adding a drone show, possibly shifting the date to the Saturday before Canada Day if grant rules allow.

Councillor Holoka raised a traditionalist concern, stating that Canada Day should be celebrated on July 1. Once it was clarified that council was only approving a feasibility study—not the event itself—Holoka supported proceeding.

Vote Result: Carried 5–0
Motion: Staff to report back on feasibility, including parking, logistics, partnerships, and reallocation of the $24,000 budget.

Council endorsed continued implementation of the township’s pickleball strategy following a public feedback period that ran from November 19 to December 23, 2025. Twelve residents provided input.

At 22:18, Director Palace said the feedback supported the overall direction, with requests for clearer sequencing, communication, and governance rather than stopping the initiative.

Council approved priorities including:

An amended strategy will return for ratification on February 18, 2026.

Council also approved creating a volunteer working group to support pickleball implementation.

Deputy Mayor Muskimuns confirmed that no members of council will sit on the group, though one Parks and Recreation Committee member will act as a liaison.

Mayor Evans praised the model, calling it a way to move from debate to action without adding costs.

Vote Result: Carried 5–0

Council endorsed applying for $7,000 in external funding from Simcoe Muskoka Specialized Geriatric Services to operate a caregiver respite gardening program at the Perkinsfield Park community garden.

Director Palace said the funding is largely confirmed. All staffing, training, and insurance costs will be covered by the grant, with no additional township funds required.

The program will work with caregiver organizations, including the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County, and builds on recent accessibility upgrades to the garden.

Vote Result: Carried 5–0

Council also:

Council discussed, but did not vote on, outdoor rink volunteer involvement, pavilion alternatives, and future reporting timelines.

The meeting adjourned at 4:34 PM.

Source Note:
This analysis is based on the January 28, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting. All quotes, timestamps, and figures are drawn directly from official meeting transcripts.

Note on Vote Recording: The transcript records aggregate vote totals (5-0, 4-1) but does not provide individual councillor votes by name for each motion, except Chair Russell's stated opposition to the flag raising (making it 4-1). The transcript does identify who moved and seconded each motion.