PERTH — A series of updates and decisions from Perth’s April 7 committee of the whole meeting touched on everything from business development and volunteer recognition to parking, street naming and municipal operations.
Perth committee hears push for stronger BIA role
The Town of Perth’s Business Improvement Area (BIA) is pushing for a stronger role in shaping Perth’s economic future, with chair Brodie Berrigan outlining a shift toward a more strategic, business-focused approach during an April 7 presentation to Committee of the Whole.
Berrigan said the BIA is undergoing a governance overhaul, moving away from hands-on management to a model that allows staff to handle day-to-day operations while the board focuses on long-term planning and priorities. That shift is already feeding into a new strategic plan, currently in draft form, built around supporting local businesses, attracting visitors and improving the downtown core.
Feedback from local businesses points to a need for better event coordination, stronger promotion and more accessible resources. Plans are also underway to modernize the BIA’s website, including a members-only portal with tools and supports for businesses.
Berrigan highlighted upcoming events like Perthalicious and the Stewart Park Festival, noting efforts to better connect festivals with downtown businesses that often feel sidelined during major events.
“We do think it would be appropriate to adopt a pro-business lens for council decisions, particularly related to fees, levies, by-laws, et cetera,” said Berrigan.
He went on to urge council to ensure the BIA has a seat at the table in developing an economic development master plan. He also called for closer collaboration on major construction projects to limit disruption to downtown businesses.
With Perth expected to grow significantly in the coming years, Berrigan said supporting local business isn’t optional, it’s essential.
“In terms of a business lens, I believe our council has begun, because Cathy McNally was kind enough to apply for a grant and secure $24,000 from the rural Ontario Development Program. And so there’s an example how our municipality is starting to look through that lens that you’re talking about,” responded Isabel McRae, councillor.
The presentation was received by committee for information.
Volunteer recognition program expands with new award categories
Council in Perth is showing support for a proposed overhaul of the town’s Volunteer Recognition Program, with staff recommending a broader and more inclusive approach to celebrating community contributions.
The updated program would expand beyond the long-standing Perth Medal, introducing several new award categories to better reflect the wide range of volunteer efforts across the community. Staff say the current system, while meaningful, doesn’t fully capture the diversity of contributions made by residents.
Under the proposal, new awards would recognize community builders, youth volunteers and seniors, alongside the existing Perth Medal for long-term service. Each category includes clear criteria aimed at highlighting different forms of involvement, from leadership and mentorship to grassroots volunteering and civic engagement.
Council members appeared receptive to the changes, which are designed to boost volunteer participation and retention while strengthening community connections. The program also aims to make it easier for the public to submit nominations, encouraging broader involvement.
If approved, the revamped program will be introduced at the town’s Volunteer Recognition BBQ on April 27, 2026, with nominations opening annually starting next year. Awards would then be presented each year beginning in 2027.
Staff say the changes align with council’s broader goal of fostering a more connected and engaged community, and will review the program after its first year.
“The bottom line is volunteers are the heartbeat of our community and they should be more fully recognized,” said Gary Waterfield, councillor, adding, “I totally support this particular motion.”
Cash-in-lieu parking fees doubled for developers
Perth council is taking a look at what developers pay to skip building parking spaces, and is doubling the fee.
Council has officially received a staff report comparing the town’s cash-in-lieu of parking fees to neighbouring municipalities.
The fee allows developers to pay the town instead of constructing required parking spots, with the money funnelled into a reserve for future public parking or transportation improvements. Right now, Perth charges $5,000 per space, a number that might raise eyebrows when the real cost of building a single spot hovers around $40,000.
“This is my third term and we’ve talked about cash-in-lieu many times. I personally think it should be higher, and I’ll tell you why. I think that the higher the cash-in-lieu is the more reluctant the developer will be to go with cash-in-lieu,” said Councillor Jim Boldt, adding that his neighbourhood is full of cars parked on the streets, because developers opted not to provide parking.
According to the staff report, Perth’s $5,000 rate lands squarely in the regional ballpark. Carleton Place charges $6,000, Mississippi Mills just over $3,000, and Smiths Falls sits far lower at $750. Toronto, by comparison, charges roughly $20,000 per space.
The report also hints at a bigger conversation down the road. With more developments opting into the cash-in-lieu route, the town may need a formal Master Parking Plan to decide where future lots go and how funds are spent.
For now, though, council is doubling the fee to $10,000, still way short of the cost of creating parking spaces, but perhaps more of a deterrent to developers hoping to opt out of creating parking spaces.
Street naming rules updated with new sponsorship option
Perth is giving its street naming rules a long-overdue refresh, and this time, there’s a price tag attached to creativity.
Committee has received a staff report calling for a full repeal and replacement of the town’s current civic addressing and street naming by-law, last updated back in 2009. With new subdivisions popping up and more development in the pipeline, officials say the update isn’t just administrative, it’s about keeping emergency response times tight.
Clear, consistent addressing can be the difference between a quick arrival and a costly delay when seconds matter.
The proposed overhaul also introduces a new twist, sponsorship fees. Developers looking to brand neighbourhoods with themed street names will now need town approval and be required to pay for the privilege under the updated policy. It’s a move the municipality is exploring as a potential revenue stream, while still keeping control over naming standards. A themed subdivision could cost a developer about $25,000, and according to Joanna Bowes there could be other sponsorship opportunities.
Perth committee members are recommending council move ahead with passing the new by-law, effectively scrapping the 2009 version and replacing it with a modernized rulebook.
New fire rescue vehicle approved
Perth is rolling out a new fire services vehicle, with council members signing off on the purchase despite a slightly higher price tag.
Committee has approved awarding the contract to Fort Garry Fire Trucks for a new stock rescue unit at a cost of $275,906, about $11,000 over the original budget. The overage will be covered through the town’s capital reserve, a move staff say reflects rising vehicle costs rather than overspending.
The new unit will replace a 2011 van that’s reached the end of its frontline life. Rather than retiring it completely, the town plans to repurpose the old vehicle into a rehabilitation unit, squeezing more value out of existing equipment.
The purchase also aligns with Perth’s long-term fire fleet strategy, keeping equipment reliable and ready.
New lawn equipment approved to replace aging unit
Perth’s grass is getting a fresh cut, and a new set of wheels to do it. According to Martin Doornekamp, acting manager of surface operations, the town currently moves about 40 acres of grass.
Committee of the Whole has signed off on the purchase of a new commercial lawnmower to replace an aging John Deere unit that’s been limping along with mounting maintenance issues. The recommended replacement, a zero-turn mower with a 72-inch deck, comes in at $36,361.71 and will be sourced through the Canoe Procurement program.
The price is notably higher than the original budget, with about $18,000 in extra costs to be pulled from the town’s capital reserve. Still, staff say the deal delivers solid value, thanks to bulk municipal pricing and the availability of a unit already in stock, avoiding delays and more repair bills.
The new mower also brings cleaner emissions with a modern diesel engine, while keeping things simple for maintenance crews by matching existing equipment.
Unpaid provincial offences accounts written off for 2025
Nearly $43,000 in unpaid fines is officially off the books in Perth.
Perth committee is approving the write-off of $42,790.80 in Provincial Offences accounts deemed uncollectable for 2025. The bulk of that total, more than $41,000, is tied to deceased individuals, with smaller amounts linked to a company in default and minor underpayments.
The move follows the town’s standard policy, with the Provincial Offences Court Manager flagging the accounts as unrecoverable after exhausting collection efforts.
This isn’t money council is giving away so much as acknowledging reality, some debts simply won’t be paid.
By formally clearing the slate, the town keeps its financial records accurate and up to date, rather than carrying forward revenue that isn’t coming in.
The write-off doesn’t impact day-to-day operations but helps tidy up the books heading into the next fiscal cycle.
Plan in place to avoid lame duck council disruption
Perth is getting ahead of potential election-season gridlock, with Committee of the Whole backing a plan to keep Town Hall running smoothly if council ends up in a “lame duck” position.
Under Ontario’s Municipal Act, councils can lose key decision-making powers after nomination day or after election results if too many incumbents don’t return. That situation can freeze major hiring, spending and property decisions over $50,000.
In Perth, a lame duck council occurs if fewer than six current members run or are acclaimed in the election, or if fewer than six of those members end up on the new council.
To avoid that potential stall-out, committee is recommending council pass a by-law handing limited authority to the CAO and Treasurer during that window, from late August to mid-November.
If no lame duck situation arises, the by-law stays on the shelf. But if it does, staff at least have the authority to keep day-to-day operations running without interruption.
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