High taxes dominated the question period at the annual Mayor’s Luncheon hosted by the Owen Sound and District Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Ruth Lovell Stanners fielded several questions from the business audience — many pertaining to the 3 percent tax hike the city will bring down this year.
Lovell Stanners reiterated that almost half the city’s budget was tied up with the salaries of police, fire and ambulance while they’re also struggling with a 400 thousand dollar cut in provincial funding.
She says the city is going to work hard to encourage local small businesses which seem to have sprung from tougher economic times where big business took such a hit.
Lovell Stanners spoke about the city’s commitment to harbourfront redevelopment and how they’re talking about the forgiveness of development charges and help cleaning up brown fields for anyone who wants to start a project along the waterfront.
She’s also excited for the city’s new marketing strategy soon to be developed which will include a new logo to help better reflect what life is like in Owen Sound.
She also points to several partnerships the city has developed in order to move projects forward — including the new Kiwanis playground at Harrison Park, the Scenic City Order of Good Cheer ice rink and the partnership with the Family Y for the new regional rec centre.
Lovell Stanners would also like to see full university courses offered in Owen Sound — perhaps through Georgian College.
She says its very important for a community’s future growth if it can attract and retain young people.
The Mayor assured the business crowd city officials were committed to being fiscally responsible.