Council turns down motion for increased business support

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Tillsonburg council turned down a request for additional support for the first business locating in the second phase of the VanNorman Industrial Park.

Development Commissioner Cephas Panschow told council that Wise Line Tools was the first property purchaser in the second phase, aiming to expand its tool retail space. Council originally approved an application to its Community Improvement Plan last September that would provide $129,259 in tax incentives to the business. However, since then, the company learned it would have to pay development charges from Oxford County and asked for a higher level of town tax incentives.

After clarifying the town won’t see any money from the county development charges, Coun. Kelly Spencer asked, “So because of the county council’s budget and decision we’re going to take from ours?”

Panschow confirmed that was the case. He said it was partly an oversight on the town’s part that Wise Line wasn’t made aware of the development charges.

Mayor Deb Gilvesy asked if there was a matrix that is followed to go from A to B.

“Frankly this is one of the few applications that wasn’t approved at the highest levels,” Panschow said, saying it’s within the criteria of the program.

Gilvesy said the program, which provides credits on property taxes, was at a cost of $129,000, and now the recommendation is to move it to a higher level at a cost of $367,000, which would cover the county development charge.

“I’m struggling for someone to explain to me why in September we are here and now we are here,” she said. “Taxpayers have to make up that amount of money.”

Clarifying the suggestion was for a modified amount of $318,000, Manager of Finance/Treasurer Renato Pullia explained the principle is the increase in assessment will create increased taxation to cover the cost of the rebate.

“It’s a substantial amount of money between the general, moderate and strategic,” Spencer said. “We are in an era of tight budgets and tight economy for taxpayers and I don’t think taxpayers should be subsidizing the policy of another council. It’s also important not to set a precedent.”

Coun. Chris Parker agreed, saying the county development charges have been in place since early 2025 and the land sale to Wise Line was approved in September 2025. Since this isn’t a new policy, he doesn’t believe the taxpayer should be subsidizing it.

In the end, council accepted the report for information, meaning there will be no change in the level of subsidization.