Departments

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is the most senior manager at the Township. The CAO reports to North Huron Council and works with the Reeve to carryout Council's direction. In addition, the CAO's role is to

• Work across departments and agencies to address Council's strategic direction;
• Provide professional advice and policies and plans to guide the Township;
• Liaise with the governments and outside agencies;
• Work with staff to ensure a healthy workplace committee to continuous; improvement and excellent customer service.

The Municipal Clerk is a Statutory Officer of the Corporation and is assigned duties by various Provincial Statutes, including the Municipal Act, the Municipal Elections Act, the Planning Act, the Local Improvement Act, the Drainage Act and the Vital Statistics Act. A few key functions the Clerk’s Department is responsible for at the Township of North Huron include

• Operating in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Municipal Act, and other related statutes, as well as directions from the Township of North Huron Council and Administration;
• Providing legislative support to Council and Committees;
• Preparing Agendas, Minutes, By-laws and Agreements and related corporate documents;
• Commissioning documents, registering deaths, and issuing various licenses and permits, including: lottery licenses, marriage licenses, dog tag licenses, kennel licenses, business licenses, burial permits, and taxicab licenses;
• Recording, without note or comment, all resolutions, decisions and other proceedings of Council and Committees and maintaining the official records of the Township;
• Responding to requests for access to municipal records received under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act;
• Serving as the general information office with respect to a broad range of inquiries from the public, including resident complaints and service requests;
• Ensuring that the Township of North Huron is in compliance with all health and safety and accessibility requirements as set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act; and
• Conducting municipal elections in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act.

The Finance Department works to promote and maintain financial strength, stability and accountability. The Department is responsible for:

• The annual budget processes;
• Accounts payable and receivables;
• Payroll;
• Property tax billing and information;
• Tax certificates;
• Asset management and administrative functions;
• Annual financial statements;
• Financial Information Reports (FIR).

The Public Works and Facilities department provides services for residents and businesses, such as:

• Drinking water distribution and treatment;
• Sewage collection and treatment;
• Maintenance of Township Roads, Bridges, Culverts and Ditches;
• Waste and Recycling management;
• Landfill Operations;
• Snow removal from roads and sidewalks;
• Cemetery Services, maintenance and products;
• Vegetation Management of green spaces and road allowances;
• Facility Maintenance and Repairs;
• Capital Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Projects

The Recreation and Community Services Department provides active lifestyle programming for the residents of the Township of North Huron as well as surrounding areas.

• Aquatic Centre
• Fitness Centre
• Recreation and Leisure Programs
• Arena – Ice Pad
• Arena – Dry Pad
• Meeting Rooms and Community Halls
• Day Care Services 

The Fire Department of North Huron operates from 2 fire stations located in Wingham and Blyth with a staff of Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, Fire Prevention Officer, a District Chief at each station, 4 Captains at each station and 32 firefighters.  The Fire Department of North Huron began in 2010 when the former departments of Blyth and Wingham amalgamated into 1 Department. FDNH is proud to serve the residents of North Huron, Morris-Turnberry, Central Huron and Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh.

The Building Department's primary role is to promote public safety and assist development in compliance with Federal, Provincial, County, and Local regulations to ensure health and safety, fire protection and structural sufficiently in buildings which we live, work, and play. A few of the key activities of the Building Department include

• Enforcing the Ontario Building Code;
• Property Standards Enforcement;
• By-Law Enforcement;
• Municipal Drainage.

The Building Department is here to help with zoning inquiries, building code information/ technical advice and to be of assistance during the entire construction process.

The Township provides land use planning services in conjunction with the County of Huron Planning and Development Department.

The Planning Department is responsible for the distribution of information and advice to Council, landowners, the general public and to the development industry with respects to land use planning. The department also administers the Official Plan, Zoning By-Law and the development approvals process.  Planning staff conduct research into a variety of land use planning matters including changing Provincial policy and emerging issues affecting a broad range of economic, environmental and social factors that contribute to the community.  The department also manages change in the community through direct involvement in built heritage preservation and enhancement, urban design, economic development, and the preservation and enhancement of the natural environment, all with the view of building and maintaining a healthy, balanced community.

The Township offers animal control services through the By-law Enforcement department. Services provided to animal control are primarily for canine control, the Township does not offer services for wildlife concerns.