On November 19, 2025, the Old Kemptville Business Improvement Area (BIA) Board of Management voted to request that the Council of the Municipality of North Grenville make three BIA By-law changes:
- Expand the BIA boundaries; and
- Change the name to the Downtown Kemptville Business Improvement Area (BIA); and
- For the taxation years 2026, 2027 and 2028, the municipality shall prescribe a different method of calculating the BIA levy for separately assessed properties, such that the levy otherwise calculated shall not exceed a maximum of three (3) percent of the Board of Management’s approved annual budget.
In accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001 Section 210 before Council can pass a by-law enacting the requested changes, every person who, on the last returned assessment roll, is assessed for rateables property that is in a prescribed business property class and located in the current boundaries and the proposed expanded boundaries, must be sent a notice of the requested changes. This letter serves as the official notice.
Council cannot consider the change requested by the BIA under the following conditions:
- If one-third of the total number of persons entitled to notice OBJECTS to the requested changes by Monday April 20, 2026, and the objectors are responsible for at least one-third of the local municipal taxes levied within the current boundaries; or
- If one-third of the total number of persons entitled to notice OBJECTS to the requested changes by Monday April 20, 2026, and the objectors are responsible for at least one-third of the local municipal taxes levies within the proposed expanded boundaries.
Questions or comments regarding the submission of objections or support can be directed to:
Municipal Clerk
Municipality of North Grenville
613-258-9569 ext. 171
Questions or comments regarding the proposal including the background and rationale can be directed to:
Talia Hreljac,
Executive Director
Old Town Kemptville Business Improvement Area
Official Submission Process
Official expression of objection or support to the proposed changes must be submitted as outlined below:
- Landlord Responsibilities – Deadline –March 21, 2026
On or before March 21, 2026, a landlord who receives this notice shall, in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001:
a) Give a copy of the notice to each tenant of the property to which the notice relates who is required to pay all or part of the taxes on the property; and
b) Give the Clerk of the Municipality a list of every tenant described in clause (a) and the share of the taxes that each tenant is required to pay and the share that the person is required to pay. - Owner/Tenant Responsibilities (Taxpayer) Responsibilities – Deadline – April 20, 2026
On or before April 20, 2026, all persons receiving this notice have an opportunity to provide comment to the Clerk.
Objections:
Written objections to the Clerk must be received by 4:30PM on April 20, 2026. The objection must be on the form included with this notice as Appendix B, and delivered to:
Municipality of North Grenville, 285 County Road #44, P.O. Box 130 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
Hand delivery or mail post marked by April 20, 2026, is required. Other methods (i.e., email, telephone, fax) will not be considered an official response. If there are concerns with the submission method, please contact the Clerk’s Office directly.
Support:
Persons supporting the proposed changes are not required to submit any official response. Persons may wish to submit (by April 20, 2026) expressions of support on the form included with this notice as Appendix B and deliver it to: Municipality of North Grenville, 285 County Road #44, P.O. Box 130 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
Hand delivery or mail acceptable. Other methods (i.e., email, telephone, fax) will not be considered an official response. If there are concerns with the submission method, please contact the Clerk’s Office directly.
Download Appendix A and B here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who pays for a BIA?
BIAs are funded by a special levy within the boundaries of the BIA. It is paid in most cases by owners of property designated as industrial or commercial, and their tenants.
The amount of the levy is related to the assessment value of the property. For example, if a property is assessed at one per cent of total realty assessment in the BIA, the owner of that property may pay a BIA levy of one per cent of the total BIA levy.
Q. How do you determine the boundaries of a BIA?
There are generally no hard and fast rules with respect to defining a BIA area. However, there are some useful guidelines from past experience. Natural boundaries such as a river or bridge, or historical boundaries formed by older buildings may be considered. The Old Town Kemptville BIA defined the expansion area for this notice for more information email
Q. How do you expand or reduce the boundaries of the BIA?
The boundaries of a BIA can be expanded or reduced by municipal bylaw. The rules (such as notice requirements and appeal procedures) applicable with respect to the initial establishment of a traditional BIA are generally similar to the rules for the expansion or reduction of BIA boundaries.
This notice is to provide notice of proposed expansion.
Q. If a BIA is passed do all businesses in the BIA have to belong?
Yes, traditionally all commercial and industrial property owners and tenants that pay a portion of the property tax will generally pay the additional levy associated with the BIA.
Q. What happens if the BIA is no longer wanted?
A municipality may repeal the bylaw that established a BIA. The financial obligations of the BIA may be assumed by the municipality. A municipality may decide to continue the levy on property in the former improvement area until outstanding amounts are received.
Q. Who actually runs the BIA?
A traditional BIA is managed by a board of management appointed by the municipal council. A board has general responsibilities, which usually include, among others, overseeing the planning, budgeting, implementation and evaluation of BIA projects.
Q. Who is on the Board of Directors?
The BIA Board of Directors can be viewed online at: https://downtownkemptville.com/about/#board
Q. How is the BIA budget determined?
Most boards of management prepare an annual budget for the BIA, then submit the budget to the BIA membership for approval at the annual general meeting. Many boards of management consider it a practical minimum to discuss the budget with the membership. Budgets go to municipal councils for approval.
Q. How is the BIA budget collected?
The BIA does not levy taxes directly. Traditionally, the municipality adds a special BIA levy to the property tax collected from commercial and industrial property owners within the boundaries of the BIA.
Q. How do I support or oppose the expansion?
Submit in-person or by mail Appendix B as attached to the Notice of Expansion to the Municipal Clerk by the deadline of Monday April 20, 2026.
For more information, please contact
