Council reverses  funding cut for Caledon Public Library strategic plan

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Caledon Councillors have decided to fund an item that was previously cut from Caledon's 2024 budget.

At Caledon Council's April 9 General Committee meeting, Ward 6 Councillor Cosimo Napoli brought forward a motion asking that Council support the Caledon Public Library's (CPL) strategic plan in the initially-requested amount of $50,000. 

The plan was proposed in Caledon's 2024 budget and discussed by Council at a February 14 General Committee meeting. It was removed from the budget at that meeting after Ward 3 Councillor Doug Maskell brought forward a motion suggesting the creation of the plan could wait a year and happen in 2025, as the CPL had recently presented its comprehensive growth plan to Council. 

Ward 1 Councillor Lynn Kiernan, Ward 2 Councillor Dave Sheen, Ward 4 Councillor Nick de Boer, and Regional Councillor Christina Early were against cutting the strategic plan from the budget at the time.

Napoli, Maskell, Ward 5 Councillor Tony Rosa, Regional Councillor Mario Russo, and Mayor Annette Groves supported cutting the strategic plan from the budget at the February 14 meeting.

At the April 6 session, Kiernan said she was happy to see Napoli bring the strategic plan item back for consideration. 

“I'm happy to support this, I was very much in favour of this the first time around,” said Kiernan. 

Russo said he was also happy to see it brought back. He said during budget time, Councillors are trying to find efficiencies, but since then it became clear how important the strategic plan was to the CPL.

“We want to make sure that we're being as efficient as possible, but we don't want to be creating shortfalls or challenges for our community groups,” said Russo.

At the April 9 meeting, Council unanimously voted to fund the CPL's strategic plan.

Back in February, CPL CEO Colleen Lipp explained the strategic plan is an essential part of the CPL board's governance of library actions. 

“What we are looking to do with the assistance of consultants is cater a plan that is specific to the needs of Caledon,” said Lipp. “The comprehensive growth plan is that long range vision, the strategic plan is the baby steps that allow us to ultimately get there in a manner that is effective and efficient.”