On June 15, 2026, the Town of Tillsonburg officially adopted its first artificial intelligence policy to manage the use of generative tools among municipal staff and council members. Peter Raji, the manager of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives, presented the document to emphasize that while AI integration is becoming standard, the town must address inherent risks regarding data security and potential software blind spots. To mitigate these concerns, the town has selected Microsoft Co-Pilot for its internal, enclosed environment, which officials believe protects confidential constituency data and public records from being exposed. The policy explicitly mandates that all AI-generated content must undergo review and verification by a staff member before any public use. The new rules allow for staff to utilize AI for summarizing documents and drafting public-facing materials, with CAO Kyle Pratt authorized to make ongoing administrative adjustments to ensure the policy remains current as the technology evolves.

In addition to the AI policy update, Tillsonburg council addressed several commercial development initiatives. Opid Technologies Incorporated, a software applications developer, received a grant of up to $13,000 via the Community Improvement Plan to facilitate a move to 92 Broadway St. The company plans to renovate the former pawn shop into a two-storey open-concept office space, which will include approximately 2,000 square feet of shared workspace for local professionals. Development Commissioner Cephas Panschow noted the renovation is expected to improve the appearance and utility of the main street area.

Separately, council approved a grant of up to $9,000 for Kermar Properties Inc. to redevelop the former Peavy Mart building into a multi-use plaza featuring retail and restaurant space. This project also qualifies for a Strategic Level of the Tax Increment Grant Back Program, providing tiered tax rebates over a 10-year period. Furthermore, council voted to reduce residential development charge rates by 50 percent for the next three years, with retroactive adjustments available for building permits issued after March 30, 2026. Finally, Euro-Ex Construction of Woodstock was awarded a contract exceeding $1 million for the Rokeby Sideroad Reconstruction project. The $1,044,116 initiative involves upgrading 550 metres of roadway and is scheduled to last approximately 12 weeks, with a $162,000 budget shortfall covered by the town’s linear infrastructure reserve.

On June 15, 2026, the Town of Tillsonburg officially adopted its first artificial intelligence policy to manage the use of generative tools among municipal staff and council members. Peter Raji, the manager of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives, presented the document to emphasize that while AI integration is becoming standard, the town must address inherent risks regarding data security and potential software blind spots. To mitigate these concerns, the town has selected Microsoft Co-Pilot for its internal, enclosed environment, which officials believe protects confidential constituency data and public records from being exposed. The policy explicitly mandates that all AI-generated content must undergo review and verification by a staff member before any public use. The new rules allow for staff to utilize AI for summarizing documents and drafting public-facing materials, with CAO Kyle Pratt authorized to make ongoing administrative adjustments to ensure the policy remains current as the technology evolves.

In addition to the AI policy update, Tillsonburg council addressed several commercial development initiatives. Opid Technologies Incorporated, a software applications developer, received a grant of up to $13,000 via the Community Improvement Plan to facilitate a move to 92 Broadway St. The company plans to renovate the former pawn shop into a two-storey open-concept office space, which will include approximately 2,000 square feet of shared workspace for local professionals. Development Commissioner Cephas Panschow noted the renovation is expected to improve the appearance and utility of the main street area.

Separately, council approved a grant of up to $9,000 for Kermar Properties Inc. to redevelop the former Peavy Mart building into a multi-use plaza featuring retail and restaurant space. This project also qualifies for a Strategic Level of the Tax Increment Grant Back Program, providing tiered tax rebates over a 10-year period. Furthermore, council voted to reduce residential development charge rates by 50 percent for the next three years, with retroactive adjustments available for building permits issued after March 30, 2026. Finally, Euro-Ex Construction of Woodstock was awarded a contract exceeding $1 million for the Rokeby Sideroad Reconstruction project. The $1,044,116 initiative involves upgrading 550 metres of roadway and is scheduled to last approximately 12 weeks, with a $162,000 budget shortfall covered by the town’s linear infrastructure reserve.