Update on the Mayor’s Community Led Task Force

Cobourg, ON (September 11, 2025) – Mayor Lucas Cleveland and Consultant David Dexter hosted a media briefing on September 10, 2025, to share an update on the Mayor’s Community Led Task Force.

In July, Mayor Cleveland directed the development of a Community Led Task Force (Task Force) to review financial options and provide community driven recommendations regarding the 2026 Operating and Capital Budget. He also directed the Town to enter into an Independent Consultation Agreement with Cobourg resident, David Dexter, who will lead the Task Force.

“In creating this Task Force, my primary goal was to bring a divergent group of citizens together to look at Cobourg's both unique fiscal opportunities and challenges, and to then make recommendations to myself and Council that will help inform and guide future critical financial choices,” said Mayor Lucas Cleveland.

“I believe this task force is the first of its kind in Cobourg's long history. I want to thank the members for so generously giving their time, talents and deep personal support of Cobourg for this very important undertaking.”

The Task Force will have four meetings looking at the current and upcoming financial challenges of the Town, as was presented to Council in the May 5 Financial Sustainability Plan report, said Dexter, with a final report presented to the Mayor in November.

“There will be lengthy discussions and forthcoming recommendations on services, tax rate tolerance, debt usage and other revenue sources to inform the 2026 Operating Budget decisions and meet the Mayor’s directive,” said Mr. Dexter.

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.

-30-