Mayor Jones discusses regional partnerships and balancing municipal long-term planning with urgent needs
RVS: What were the biggest successes for the municipality in the last year?
TJ: This past year has been very productive overall. We made major progress on both short-term and long-term infrastructure investments that will shape Woodstock for decades. Including the purchase of a secondary Public Works building located in Ward 4, advancing plans for a new integrated Protective Services building, expanding our water system capacity and reliability, and temporarily leasing space for the Town Hall Administrative staff to allow for necessary renovations for the police station, as we prepare for the WPF to expand their services to our full boundaries.
We also took meaningful steps to address housing supply issues by working closely with developers and a community partner on a number of different large subdivision projects. We currently have applications in for funding totalling approximately $2 million to support critical water and sewer upgrades required to support these large projects, which have the potential to add over 750 units of housing over the next 10 to 20 years, and we have more funding applications to submit in 2026.
At the same time, we strengthened partnerships with regional municipalities, the province, and our Regional Service Commission to ensure Woodstock is positioned well to manage future growth. And we have done this all while maintaining fiscal responsibility and keeping our regular service delivery front and centre for residents.
RVS: What was the biggest challenge?
TJ: Our biggest challenges are balancing the need for long-term planning with the urgent day-to-day needs and ensuring we have the staff structure and facilities in place to support everything. Particularly in areas like public safety, water and sewer upgrades and maintenance, and housing development. The entire year has required careful decision-making and constant collaboration between Council, staff, community partners, and other levels of government. We have many complex challenges, but they are the kind that come with growth. I have been fortunate to have a very devoted Council and a dedicated municipal staff that have put in a tremendous amount of work this year, above and beyond.
RVS: What do you see as the main priority/priorities heading into 2026?
TJ: We remain focused on continuing to stabilize and upgrade our water system, advancing our new protective services building, working closely with partners to support housing development, and the Connell Park and Downtown Revitalization studies. We will also continue advocating to address regional challenges like healthcare and homelessness, and collaborative projects like a new regional trails solution. At the same time, we remain committed to strong financial management, so growth continues to benefit residents and taxpayers alike. I am hopeful that the province will deliver a property tax reform system at the end of this year that is fair, more predictable for residents and businesses, and financially sustainable for municipalities.
RVS: Will you be running in the May election? Why or why not? And if not, what do you see as your most significant accomplishment since taking office?
TJ: January is going to be an extremely busy month! My main focus today is on the work in front of us, but I’m giving this careful thought, and I do feel I will be able to share my intentions soon.
