LAURIE WEIR
Lanark Highlands Reeve Peter McLaren is optimistic about 2025, following years of turnover in senior management.
“We ended 2024 with most positions newly filled,” McLaren said. “Some are held by highly experienced people, and others are new to the role, but everyone is focused on getting things done and moving forward. All staff are working together as a tight-knit unit.”
The township addressed several financial and audit challenges in 2024, including a budgeting error that doubled recorded insurance costs due to unrecorded payment adjustments. The extra funds were set aside to help offset future pressures, such as a forecasted increase in Ontario Provincial Police billing, aging infrastructure, and asset management obligations.
New treasurer Rhonda Whitmarsh, a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 20 years of municipal experience, joined the township on Nov. 4. She led efforts to complete the 2023 audit and resolve outstanding recommendations from previous audits.
Lanark Highlands also implemented measures to strengthen financial oversight, ensure timely audits, and prepare for the 2025 budget, aiming to restore stability and transparency.
McLaren praised staff for their dedication during a challenging period of significant turnover. “We now have solid staffing in place and have worked to get finances back on track while keeping our ratepayers informed,” he said.
Looking ahead, McLaren said the township plans to fill two public works positions in 2025. “With a full crew focused on catching up on overdue business, we’ll soon transition to handling new work as it comes in,” he added.