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Norfolk County residents will have one final opportunity this weekend to learn more about proposed tourism-related changes that include a Municipal Accommodation Tax, a Short-Term Rental bylaw, and the creation of a new Municipal Development Corporation.
John Regan, Norfolk County’s Director of Strategic Innovation and Economic Development, said the county has spent months consulting with residents, accommodation providers, and businesses about the proposals.
A final public open house is scheduled for at Simcoe Recreation Centre.
Regan said the Municipal Accommodation Tax, commonly referred to as the MAT, would apply a proposed four per cent fee to overnight stays such as hotels, motels, Airbnbs, and other short-term rentals under 30 days.
According to Regan, the county estimates the MAT could generate between $700,000 and $800,000 annually.
Under provincial legislation, at least 50 per cent of the revenue must be directed toward tourism promotion through an eligible tourism entity.
The remaining portion could support tourism-related infrastructure projects.
Regan said transparency and accountability have been major themes throughout the consultation process.
He noted annual reporting, audited financial statements, council oversight, and measurable performance indicators would all be part of the proposed framework.
He added that these public meetings are important to properly inform the public of the facts of the issue, not the rumours they are hearing.
The county is also consulting on a proposed Short-Term Rental bylaw that would require operators to register with the county.
Regan said the proposed registration system would focus heavily on safety requirements, including fire safety and insurance standards, while avoiding unnecessary burdens on operators or taxpayers.
He added that enforcement would largely be complaint-based and said the county is not planning to hire additional bylaw officers or staff to manage the program.
Another major component of the proposal is the creation of a Municipal Development Corporation, or MDC, which would act as Norfolk County’s tourism destination marketing organization. Regan said the separate not-for-profit entity would allow tourism-related initiatives to move more quickly and work more closely with the local business community than traditional municipal processes sometimes allow.
The proposed board structure for the MDC is still being developed, but Regan said feedback has included suggestions for representatives with tourism, marketing, legal, festival, and business experience, alongside municipal representation.
Regan said county staff continue to encourage public feedback and emphasized that no final bylaw or policy has been approved yet.
The final public consultation session takes place Saturday, May 30th from 10 a.m. to noon at the Simcoe Recreation Centre on South Drive.
