FAQs

No final decision on the library redevelopment will be made until the 2026-2030 term. All construction timelines - including those related to the East Elgin Community Complex (EECC) option - extend beyond the current Council's mandate. Outgoing municipal councils are not permitted to bind incoming councils on significant matters or decisions. 

The current Council may select a preferred design for the library before the end of this term in November 2026. This may or may not include exploring location and design alternatives, establishing financial plans, or engaging with Elgin County for potential support. However, this does not commit the next Council to a specific design or decision.

Yes, Council has provided direction to staff to investigate fundraising, and more information will be available on donations and pledging soon. 

The draft 2026 Capital and Operating Budgets have been presented to the Finance Committee. This will be the final budget approved by the current (2022-2026) Council. At this stage, the 2026 Budget does not allocate any new funding toward the library redevelopment, nor is this anticipated to be added.

There is no impact of this decision on the 2026 Aylmer property taxes under the current direction of Council. Any future impact will be determined through an open and transparent budgetting process.

The effect on property taxes depends on a number of factors:

1. The cost of the project
2. When the project begins
   • A time more distant in the future can allow for savings to build
3. The amount of funding drawn from reserves
4. The amount of fundraising
5. The amount of funding raised from debt
6. The amount of funding from grants
   • There are both competetive grants (example: Aylmer's Water Tower) and decretionary infrastructure grants (example: Elk Street) which could be incorporated.
7. Changes in the revenue generated from rent, based on ownership of the facility (Elgin pays rent to the facility owner)
8. Changes in the the cost to maintain the facility (utilities, cleaning, etc.)

Yes, they have selected Option One - an integration with Old Town Hall.