Meaford needs to broaden its tax base or its going to be in more financial troubles down the road.
That’s the word from the municipality’s new CAO Frank Miele who’s commenting on a recent report on what Meaford needs to be sustainable over the long term.
Miele says right now, more than 90 per cent of Meaford’s tax base comes from the residential component and that’s not good.
He says the report encourages officials to work on expanding tourism, retail, agri business and green businesses in order to broaden the tax base for long term viability.
Miele says several initiatives or ‘easy fixes’ were mentioned in the report including better signage on the way into Meaford to allowing stores to open on Sundays.
But he says they also have to keep their eye on the long term and strengthen and improve the environment to attract industry.
Miele says the next step is to apply for funding to help implement the plan and the municipality will eventually set up committees to put it into action.