MIDLAND, Ont. – Midland councillors concerned about unexpected costs of an incoming automated speed enforcement in 2025 received a chuckle in return from the mayor and staff, who are banking on the bad behaviour of drivers in elementary school zones to pay for the project and curb speeding.
To have the two-year pilot project in operation by August of next year, the committee of the whole recently received an updated report on an automated speed enforcement and administrative penalties program which had been explored in June.
Legal and risk program manager Julie Ellery pointed to the urgency of council approval due to a budget implication, as the program cameras were not allowed to be mounted to hydro poles owned by NT Power. Costs for a one-time installation of a new camera pole, including electrical power connection, were estimated at $50,000 each.
Through data collected by the town, Ellery added that it would take just 12 tickets per day to make the pilot project revenue neutral, and identified two elementary school community safety zones “as troublesome”.
“One being William Street and one being Yonge Street,” said Ellery. “The data that was produced supports this program in both areas, and then it would in fact generate enough to at least break even and more than likely make revenue.”
Staff recommended funding from the tax-supported reserve to cover the costs of the poles. Once mounted, one camera would be able to record the rear license plates of vehicles in three lanes of traffic in either direction.
Members of council pressed staff on the necessity to construct new poles, the use of solar instead of wired power, and the security of poles as seen in neighbouring municipalities where vandalism has occurred.
Mayor Bill Gordon provided assurance to council that the project would make money, but that wasn’t the intent of what he called “the stupid tax” for elementary school zone speeders whom he had “zero mercy for”. The speed cameras would require three months of advance notice signs to inform motorists prior to activation.
“It has to be about changing driving behaviour”
“I haven’t heard of a municipality yet that hasn’t made money on this,” said Gordon. “However, I had to swear the mayor’s oath to the MTO when we were talking about promoting this in our community, that this is not installed to be a revenue generator. Even though, unfortunately, it is. It has to be about changing driving behaviour.”
“If we’re the only municipality in Ontario that actually loses money doing this, that would be incredible,” said Gordon with a laugh from both himself and from staff, “but I don’t think it’s going to happen. Driving behaviour and the number of cars that are going to be on these routes argue against that.
He added that the town would know if the pilot project would be a success shortly after launch through the tickets generated.
“And if the thing turns out to be an abject failure two years into this thing, then we scrap it and go in the record books I guess as being the safest community in Ontario, maybe Canada. I’d love to wear that title,” said Gordon with a further laugh. The committee of the whole approved implementing the program.
The automated speed enforcement report update is available in the council agenda on the town of Midland website.
Council meetings are held every third Wednesday, and can be viewed on Rogers TV cable channel 53 when available, or through the livestream on the Rogers TV website. Archives of council meetings are available through Rogers TV and on the Town of Midland’s YouTube channel.
Feature image by iStock.com/poba
