The Municipality of North Perth is launching a community engagement campaign to gather public input on three corporate projects.
Jessica McLean, North Perth's Director of Strategic Initiatives, says there is a survey available now and upcoming in-person sessions for people to offer input on the projects, which include the next council's Corporate Strategic Plan. McLean explains that that plan identifies what the municipality's greatest needs are.
"It will set a vision on moving forward and a direction on how to address those needs. It will be the main road map for council next term to decide what needs to be done and how to do it," McLean said.
Another project that requires public input is new corporate branding for the municipality. The current North Perth logo is over three decades old, dating back to the amalgamation of the Town of Listowel and the Townships of Elma and Wallace. Now a process to find a new modern brand is underway. McLean says they want to find something that represents what the community has evolved into now, while also respecting the past.
"Our current logo is quite important to our community so we're looking at ways to keep that identity but also modernize it and provide a consistent feel for the municipal brand going forward," McLean shared.
"These communities have continued to evolve since the late 1990s individually and collectively, and the same is true for the Municipal organization," noted Kriss Snell, Chief Administrative Officer. "As such, it is time to reevaluate how we present ourselves to the people who live, work and invest here now, and to those we seek to attract in the years to come."
The other project that the municipality wants input on is the first ever Economic Development Strategic Plan for North Perth. McLean says the survey that is available does include specific questions for business owners and business leaders.
"The feedback will be used to inform the Economic Development Strategic Plan. As well, we will be reaching out to our business, our employers and other business leaders in our local economy in future months to have more workshop-style feedback with them," she added.
The survey is available now at yoursaynorthperth.ca, and there will be public engagement sessions September 27 from 1-5 p.m. at Zehrs Listowel, and October 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Elma Logan Recreation Complex in Monkton.
McLean also shared the the total cost for developing these projects, which includes help from a third party consulting team, is $149,500. North Perth did receive grant funding to help cover the cost of the project.
"Our Municipality has much to look forward to, as we continue to grow and build strength and position in our region, our province, and our country," said Mayor Kasenberg. "This current Council and staff are committed to delivering excellent customer service and working together to ensure our residents’ and businesses' needs are met, and is preparing the ground for the work of the next Council. This collaborative process gives us an opportunity to look ahead, understand how the municipality is changing, and make sure we are responding to the needs of the people who live, work and invest here."
With the new council term slated to start following the October 26 municipal elections, McLean notes that the hope is to have the three corporate projects completed by late winter or early spring of 2027.
