CENTRE WELLINGTON – The township intends to combine its tourism and economic development departments and form a municipal service corporation that would operate at arm’s length from council with regular quarterly updates.
Former Centre Wellington mayor Kelly Linton, of Linton Consulting, was hired to explore the possibility and on Sept. 29 he presented his plan of action.
Due to an influx of visitors to the township in recent years and the additional cost of parking enforcement and other inconveniences to residents, the township has been exploring a municipal accommodation tax that tourists would pay – essentially meaning tourism pays for tourism.
Linton said tourism and economic development are separate but interconnected.
By combining them and moving their functions outside of township hall, there are savings to be had and a streamlined approach to growing the economy.
The new municipal service corporation (MSC) would be more nimble than the township and able to respond to problems, ideas and offers.
It would also administer the municipal accommodation tax.
The MSC would have a board of directors, an executive director, a tourism officer, an economic development officer, and a coordinator to bring together tourism and economic development initiatives.
Much work remains to establish a governance and financing model and a service level agreement with the township.
“Staff are excited about this positive direction forward,” said CAO Dan Wilson after Linton’s presentation.
Council seemed excited, too.
“We should be excited about this moment,” said councillor Bronwynne Wilton.
“It’s a big moment with the municipal accommodation tax, where tourism pays for tourism.”
Council approved the structure and outline of the program.
The next steps are public consultation on the accommodation tax and drafting several agreements.
