District Chair points to technology and planning as key to taxpayer savings

Lehman says new technologies can improve the value residents receive for their tax dollars

District of Muskoka Chair, Jeff Lehman, says investing in planning, analysis and new technology can lead to significant long-term savings for taxpayers.

In his monthly Chair's Report to District Council, dated August 20, 2026, Lehman addressed the time and money the District spends exploring new technologies and approaches aimed at improving the value residents receive for their tax dollars.

He said finding better ways to deliver services requires planning, testing and evaluation, which themselves cost money. He pointed to three areas — waste management, roads, and housing — as examples of where the District has invested in examining different approaches.

In waste management, Lehman said every additional year the Rosewarne landfill remains operational saves millions of dollars by delaying the estimated $50 million to $100 million capital cost of developing a new landfill.

He indicated that the introduction of clear garbage bags and rollout of green bins have added an estimated two years to the landfill's lifespan. And while the changes required planning and investment, the return has already been significant.

The District is also using new technology and additional analysis to guide spending on its road network. Mobile surface-detection technology and advanced analytical tools are being used to assess the entire District road network annually, while more detailed subsurface investigations are conducted in targeted areas.

Lehman explained the approach can help determine whether a road requires complete reconstruction or less extensive work, avoiding unnecessary capital costs.

Housing was another example mentioned in the report. Over the past two years, the District has examined the cost of constructing public housing through different methods, including the recently proposed use of factory construction.

According to the report, the District currently has a pipeline of at least 229 new housing units, with an estimated capital cost of approximately $68 million. Lehman said even modest reductions in construction costs, combined with bringing units into service sooner and generating rental revenue earlier, could produce millions of dollars in savings.

He said, “Like the roads projects, this is a case of spending time and money on analysis, innovative approaches, and project planning saving potentially tens of millions of dollars.”

He added that the examples reflect a broader District approach of continually examining its operations and investing in innovation where improvements could provide greater value to taxpayers.

Moving forward, Lehman indicated the District will continue looking for opportunities to use new technologies and approaches to improve services and reduce costs.