Interview with the Deputy Warden - March 14th, 2025

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Friday, 14 March 2025 11:15

Three alternates participated in the vote to pass the garbage bag tag price increase this week.

OXFORD COUNTY - Oxford County Council has come to an understanding when it comes to the price of garbage bag tags.

Council approved a $1 price increase during Wednesday's meeting. This means the tags will cost $3 each as of January 1st 2026.

The matter was heavily debated when it was first brought to County Council on February 26th. The original motion called for the $1 price increase to take effect in May this year and two motions were made by council. One asked council to defer the decision to think it over, while other asked council to turn down the price increase. Both motions failed with a split 5-5 vote. South-West Oxford Mayor David Mayberry brought forward a notice of motion at the end of the meeting, with the same price increase but a new effective date of January 2026.

Warden Marcus Ryan was not in attendance during the meeting this week, so Ingersoll Mayor Brian Petrie chaired the meeting as the Deputy Warden of Oxford County.

He says council had more time to think about the price increase and understand why its necessary.

"I think council saw the math that was involved. We have a new garbage contract and it's a service and just like everything there is a cost to deliver that service. There is a going to be a new organics program coming in and some of that cost is being put on the bag tags, not all of it but some of it, and at the end of the day you have to pay the bills."

He adds there is no limit to the amount of bag tags you can purchase.

"At this time, there is not a limit. You can go out and purchase bag tags and they will be the same bag tags as before so you can use the old ones. They are not going to change and you're not going to notice a difference whatsoever."

Oxford County has a user-pay system, so residents cover the cost of their waste collection through the bag tags. It if was covered through taxes, there would be a 5.5 percent increase to the tax levy.

The vote to increase the garbage bag tag price passed with seven councillors in favour and three against.

With it being March Break, three Oxford County Councillors were unable to attend this week's meeting. They include Tillsonburg Mayor Deb Gilvesy, Woodstock City-County Councillor Deb Tait, and Oxford County Warden/Zorra Township Mayor Marcus Ryan. Woodstock Mayor Jerry Acchione was unable to attend the meeting in person, but was able to attend virtually.

This means there were three alternate councillors serving in place of Ryan, Tait and Gilvesy.

With that being said, Deputy Warden Petrie says the garbage bag tag vote will be treated just like any other council decision.

"The alternates are part of the Municipal Act to be able to be there and they have the same full privileges of every other member while they are in that seat, so the business of council is the business of council. What could happen is, just like with any other motion, someone could bring forward a motion to reconsider that, but it would have to be one of the people who voted in favour of it."

You can listen to our full interview with Deputy Warden Brian Petrie below: