What Council Does
"Simcoe District" was established in 1843 by the Legislature of Upper Canada. Today, the Corporation of the County of Simcoe is comprised of sixteen towns and townships.
As an "upper tier" municipality, the County of Simcoe is responsible for a range of municipal services which include social housing, land ambulance and emergency planning, environmental services (solid waste management), a County road system, Ontario Works, children's services, homes for the aged, a library co-operative, museum, archives, County forest management, tourism, a Geographic Information System (computer mapping), and land use policy planning.
The local, or "lower tier" municipalities are responsible for water and sewer services, local roads, public libraries, recreation services, fire and police services, land use development control, licensing, and permitting services.
County Council is composed of the mayors and deputy mayors of each of the sixteen towns and townships. Council has the authority to hold meetings and enact by-laws under the provisions of The Municipal Act. Council processes are set out in the County's Procedure By-law.
The head of County Council is called the Warden. The members of County Council elect a Warden from amongst the council members at an Inaugural Meeting, held in December of the first and third year of the Council's term.
The chairs and vice-chairs of the Standing Committees are also elected at the the Inaugural Meeting. The remaining members of County Council serve on one of the Performance Management, Human Services, or Corporate Services Committee.
County Councillors may also serve on a number of sub-committees, internal boards, or outside boards or committees.
Committees are not authorized to make decisions, unless specific authority to do so has been delegated by County Council. Committees make recommendations which are recorded in a report from each meeting. Committee reports are then presented to the next regular Council meeting for consideration.
Numerous sub-committees follow a similar reporting system. Generally, they report to a Standing Committee, however, there may be occasion when the report of a sub-committee meeting is presented directly to Council.
Individuals who wish to appear before a Committee or Council may submit a request, in writing, to the County Clerk. For additional information, see Appearing before Committees and Council.
The Municipal Closed Meeting Investigator Policy applies to standing and sub-committees, as well as County Council.
The cities of Barrie and Orillia, although separate politically and administratively from the County, are geographically and economically part of the County. The County of Simcoe provides services such as long term care, social services, and social housing to residents of the cities and the cities participate in funding for the archives and museum. City representatives serve on the County committees for matters related to these departments.