Mayor highlights key initiatives during annual chamber address

Mayor Deb Gilvesy. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Budgets, bridges, buildings, and the future were all highlighted in the mayor’s address at the annual Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce mayor’s luncheon.

Mayor Deb Gilvesy touched on the town’s budget, the new town hall, the future of Tillsonburg Hydro, and the Kinsmen bridge during her speech on April 15.

Starting with the budget process, which was conducted in a different format due to the province’s Strong Mayor’s legislation, Gilvesy said she began by reaching out to council to determine the priorities.

“My focus throughout this process was on sustainability, affordability for our residents, and a disciplined approach that prioritized needs over wants,” she said. “A key objective was to ensure the town continues maintaining and repairing our existing assets.”

The town’s budget increase was 1.8 per cent, but a provincial court-mandated retroactive pay adjustment for policing added an additional 1.84 per cent.

Priorities for 2026 are: maintaining and renewing critical infrastructure, supporting safe and reliable frontline services, planning growth in a measured, sustainable way, leveraging external funding and partnerships whenever possible, and building the internal systems, people, and processes needed to deliver modern, effective municipal services.

Health care is not a municipal responsibility, but the town assists where it can. Money was allocated for assisting with physician and nurse practitioner recruitment. Hopes are still to establish a permanent nurse practitioner clinic, an effort headed up by the Ingersoll Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

“We have met with the minister at multiple conferences,” Gilvesy said of efforts to bring the clinic to fruition. “It’s been a long, long road, and we’re hopeful we will hear something positive soon.”

In the coming year, the clerk’s department will do a review of the town’s committees.

“We do have a lot of official committees,” the mayor said. “Any official meeting needs a clerk there, so it’s a lot.”

The potential merger between Tillsonburg Hydro and ERTH is under discussion.

“A decision is forthcoming from council in the near future,” she said.

Talking about the fire department and fire communications, Gilvesy said an update to the 9-1-1 dispatch system was completed to bring it up to date. Investments continue in equipment upgrades, and staffing at the hall has been adjusted. She thanked the employers of the volunteer firefighters for their flexibility.

“We wouldn’t be able to continue with the model we use without the dedication of the employers who employ our firefighters.”

Gilvesy talked about the new town hall project, which is underway.

“Town hall projects are never popular – it doesn’t matter what council or when,” she said.

After relocating from the mall, the town rented two buildings on Brock Street as an interim measure. Part of the staff from one building has already moved to the Customer Service Centre, and the remainder will move as the $6-million renovation to the Customer Service Centre proceeds. It will be funded through the sale of assets, savings from rent, and some planned debt.

“Most importantly, there is zero impact to taxes,” Gilvesy said. “This will not make your taxes go up.”

The mayor talked about marketing and development, including a joint effort by the town, BIA, and chamber of commerce to apply to HGTV’s Home Town Take Over.

While residential building has slowed, the mayor was hopeful a recent announcement suspending HST on the sale of new homes would help. On the commercial front, Gilvesy said the addition of the plaza on north Broadway was needed.

“It’s a welcome addition because commercial space is limited,” she said. “This should be celebrated because you go to other towns, and it’s not the case. Tillsonburg is this unique place where everything is full downtown.”

The BIA was also thanked for keeping the downtown spotless.

The last two years being record-breaking years for industrial construction, were bright spots. Gilvesy explained that residential growth puts more pressure on residential taxes, but industry pays at a higher rate and helps offset those costs.

“It contributes not only taxes, but it creates jobs,” she said, while also mentioning that industries give back by sponsoring free skates and swims.

East Elgin Concrete, Marwood International, Legend Metal, Schep’s Bakeries, Soprema and Systemair were mentioned as big industrial investors. Armtec recently located to Tillsonburg because of the airport.

“Everyone in Ontario is competing for these businesses,” Gilvesy said. “To get them here, land them here, is important.”

Legends Metals is expanding with a new 58,800 square-foot facility which will incorporate fibre optic laser tube cutting. Schep’s Bakeries' new 192,000-square-foot facility will create 50 jobs, with future growth up to 200. Soprema’s 249,822-square-foot facility, which is under construction, will create up to 62 jobs. Systemair recently expanded to increase capacity for large air-handling units.

The town is continuing to streamline its development process, and the mayor asked the crowd for feedback on how it can be improved.

PeopleCare’s new facility on Maple Lane will employ up to 250 people when fully operational. It will have 379 senior units, 160 long-term care rooms, 150 retirement apartments, and 69 seniors’ apartments.

Harvestview, Station View, and 31 Earle Street were also mentioned as new residential developments.

With the Kinsmen Bridge getting closer to opening, the mayor talked about the delay, saying it took longer to assemble the components off site and there were issues with the existing stone piers, which were used.

“Once they pulled the components off, they realized they weren’t in as good shape as they thought they were, and they weren’t exactly plumb,” she recounted, saying it will still be under budget.

The approach to the bridge from Veteran’s Memorial Walkway will be redesigned to incorporate one of the historic bridge pieces.

“It wasn’t a very appealing entrance,” Gilvesy said. “We are hoping to honour our veterans and have a more appealing entrance.”

Work will also continue on Lake Lisgar in 2026, with money set aside for sediment removal.

“We need to remedy that before we lose a portion of the lake,” Gilvesy said.

Chamber president Lindsay Tribble was impressed by the size of the crowd at the event and by the information the mayor shared.

“It went well, and the mayor gave us a lot of information on the budget and how the town is following through,” she said. “It’s a huge testament to her in the mayor role and how she is connected to the community.”