KENILWORTH 鈥� 色控传媒North council has approved the 2025 tax levies for businesses in the Arthur and Mount Forest business improvement areas (BIAs).
鈥淥ur two communities are looking better than ever,鈥� councillor Lisa Hern said, expressing gratitude to the BIAs during a Jan. 27 council meeting.
The meeting, held online because of inclement weather, included presentations from chairs of both BIAs to provide details on their 2025 work plans and budgets.
Proposed tax levies
The proposed tax levy presented for Arthur was $367.50 per property, which is an increase of five per cent over the previous year, according to the minutes of the Nov. 20 annual general meeting.
The Mount Forest BIA approved a similar levy of $365.85 per property at its Nov. 13 AGM. This is approximately a 1% increase over the prior year鈥檚 levy, stated a township staff report.
Projects in Arthur
Arthur BIA chair Angela Alaimo told council about some of the projects planned for the coming year, including replacing banners and some damaged planters, installing a message board, acquiring tools for hybrid meetings, and refurbishing poppies installed in front of the Legion.
There is also a plan for more flowers, Alaimo said.
鈥淭his year, we anticipate extending the reach of our flowers to the bridge at the south end of the BIA district,鈥� she said.
She said the organization would be 鈥渓ooking for additional grants and funding to assist us in the financial aspects of the work plan.鈥�
Plans in Mount Forest
Mount Forest BIA chair Andrew Coburn also spoke about plans for his community鈥檚 district.听
He said in recent years 鈥渨e鈥檝e invested quite heavily in our hardscapes and our Main Street, along with some events.鈥�
The organization plans to carry on its focus on hardscapes, as well as carrying on with its flowers, Coburn said.
鈥淭he flowers have always been very well received,鈥� he noted.
He said the BIA is looking to invest in a 鈥渓ess-than-cared-for鈥� laneway where the hardscape could be improved to make it more welcoming.
There are also plans to continue event marketing, with a donation to the fireworks festival, and to purchase more Christmas decorations.
Another project in the works is improving the downtown lighting.
鈥淲e feel our downtown core is dimly lit,鈥� Coburn explained, describing hopes for retrofitting current lighting with LED lights.
鈥淥ur budget does come in at a net loss,鈥� he said, but, 鈥淲e don鈥檛 really want to give up on these projects.鈥�
Shaping impressions
Council generally expressed support for the work the BIAs are doing, with councillor Steve McCabe calling it a 鈥渢hankless job,鈥� even as he thanked them for their efforts.
鈥淲hen our downtowns look good, people鈥檚 first impressions of our communities are shaped by that,鈥� Mayor Andy Lennox said.
Council approved the work plans and the respective levies, as well as the 2025 lists of directors.
Along with Coburn, serving on the Mount Forest BIA will be Dwight Benson, Bill Nelson, Jessica McFarlane, Maggie Schram, Rachael Whetham, Amanda Boylan, Allison Litt, Erin Kiers and Kyle Dallaire.
Along with Alaimo, Arthur BIA directors will include Chris McIntosh, Paula Coffey, Gord Blyth, Jim Coffey, Sheila Faulkner and Mitch Keirstead.
