Township of Severn's Strategic Plan outlines ways we can preserve and enhance heritage and the natural environment while delivering a connected and active community that retains its rural traditions. Severn is a healthy and vibrant community of communities ensuring a high quality of life for all residents, promoting measured development, agriculture, tourism and responsive service delivery.

Strategic directions

We outlined four strategic directions along with key actions that we can take to reach our goals. Review the goals and actions for each strategic direction outlined in the Strategic Plan.

Level of service

Our goal is to maintain and enhance Township levels of service to ensure resident expectations are met, ensuring the Township is appropriately resourced to provide the desired service levels.

Actions

In order to achieve this goal, we plan to:

  • follow the capital plan in place to address backlog of roads maintenance with a goal of demonstrating improvement to roads infrastructure as measured by the pavement condition index
  • utilize the Recreation Master Plan to enhance and promote the mental and physical well-being of our residents
  • implement tools to simplify the planning and building application processes including providing more online services
  • develop and implement a septic re-inspection program

Community safety and well-being

Our goal is to enhance quality of life for all residents.

Actions

In order to achieve this goal, we plan to:

  • complete a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan required under Bill 175, Safer Ontario Act, in conjunction with the City of Orillia and the Townships of Oro-Medonte and Ramara
  • implement recommendations where financially feasible
  • create a Police Coordination Group with Township partners policed by the Orillia OPP detachment to look at issues such as areas of concerns due to excess speed, collision history or resident complaints
  • ensure frequent communication from the Detachment Commander

Communications

Our goal is to enhance both internal and external communications to ensure Township residents have the right information about municipal services.

Actions

In order to achieve this goal, we plan to:

  • hire a Communications Officer to improve both the quantity and quality of Township Communications
  • improve the use of social media
  • highlight and promote community events
  • enhance public notices and newsletters
  • engage in promotion of the Township
  • develop an updated website and ensure continual updating
  • provide regular highlights of Council meetings on the website
  • develop plain language publications (web and print) to convey technical messages such as planning application requirements
  • improve public access to Township Council agendas, minutes and by-laws
  • install an electronic sign board outside the Township Administrative Building to advertise public meetings, road closures, and other Township or community information

Asset management

Our goal is to ensure the Township is funding replacement, rehabilitation and renewal of assets using an evidenced-based approach to ensure limited Township funds are allocated in the most efficient manner.

Actions

In order to achieve this goal, we plan to:

  • ensure adequate contributions to reserves on an annual basis to ensure appropriate funding is available to replace infrastructure when required
  • prepare a full inventory (including GIS location where appropriate) and detailed Asset Management Plan
  • complete a long-term capital plan
  • integrate the Asset Management Plan and capital plan into the annual budget process