EORN releases final report on County Affordability and Governance Structure Study

For Immediate Release

Subject: EORN releases final report for Community-wide Affordability and Governance Structure Study

Haliburton County, ON, Aug. 6, 2026 – The final report for the County of Haliburton’s Community-wide Affordability and Governance Structure Study is now available for public review.

The report is being published as part of Haliburton County Council’s regular meeting agenda for Wednesday, Aug. 12, and can be accessed on the County of Haliburton Civic Web portal as of 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6. Residents can find the agenda here. 

Containing four potential models for a restructured governance framework for the County of Haliburton and its lower-tier municipalities, the report was produced by independent, third-party consultant the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) following an in-depth community engagement period throughout June and July. This widespread public consultation included a survey and open houses, as well as direct consultation with all municipal councils and senior staff within the five local municipalities. Staff surveys and direct input sessions were available to all municipal employees, and targeted focus groups included discussions with community stakeholders.

In all, more than 800 residents completed surveys, representing a statistically relevant sample size for the County’s population, and EORN received more than 1,200 individual engagement inputs.

“On behalf of Haliburton County Council, I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the initial engagement process for this incredibly important study,” says County Warden Dave Burton. “I encourage all members of the community to read the report, think about the options, and consider what is best for the future of the County as a whole.”

Residents will have another chance to provide input on the study and feedback on the governance model options through a series of public open houses that will take place later this summer. Dates and locations will be available once the meeting schedule is confirmed.

While County Council will discuss the report during its Aug. 12 meeting, any decision regarding a change in governance structure will be up to members of the 2026-2030 councils, which will be established through municipal elections on Monday, Oct. 26.

Learn more about the study at:  https://wadein.haliburtoncounty.ca/

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Contact Information:

 Chad Ingram
Communications Coordinator
705-489-2379, Ext. 327 or 705-455-7331 (cell)
cingram@algonquinhighlands.ca