Community Led Task Force Releases Final Report

Mayor Lucas Cleveland is pleased to share the Community Led Task Force’s final report. The Task Force led by consultant David Dexter was comprised of 10 Cobourg residents chosen through an independent process. Over the course of five meetings, the Task Force undertook an in-depth examination of the Town’s services, operating budget, Asset Management Plan, capital budget, owned assets, and reserve holdings.

The report includes 42 recommendations, “debated through the lens of the following principles: pay-as-we-benefit, long-term funding sustainability, equitable community spending, and municipal responsibilities,” explained David Dexter.  

Mayor Cleveland directed the development of a Community Led Task Force to review financial options and provide community driven recommendations regarding the 2026 Operating and Capital Budget and beyond. The goal, a type of public participatory budget where a divergent group of residents work together to look at Cobourg's unique fiscal opportunities and challenges in order to bring forward recommendations and ideas from everyday Cobourg citizens that are 100% free from political or staff influence.

Members of the Community Led Task Force include David Dexter (Task Force Lead), Anthony Dew, Peter Dounoukos, Chrystalla Manna, Susie Stoltenberg, Mark Mills, Susan MacDonald, Ken Strauss, Esther Schroeder, Dick Kauling, and Al Switzer

“This report reflects the commitment of residents who care deeply about our community’s future,” said Mayor Cleveland. “We are grateful for their time, effort, and thoughtful contributions.”  While some recommendations are being implemented in the 2026 Mayor’s budget set to be published December 8th, 2025, the Mayor hopes that some of these ideas and suggestions influence the next election cycle. “I believe the Cobourg community deserves to know where those seeking elected office stand in relation to our community members suggestions.” 

The full report is available to the public on the Town’s website at www.Cobourg.ca/StrongMayorPowers under the Community Led Task Force tab.