COMMUNITY NEWS Budget Meeting February 1, 2024: Council Debates Spending on New Positions

Secretary. The council voted in favor of including this package in the 2024 budget, with a recorded vote of 7-3 The councillors who supported the package were Bailey, Kyle, Oakley, Howes, Bell, Miller, and Garneau, while MacAlpine, Chambers, and Coleman opposed it Councillor Pierce was absent during the vote.

By Chris Whelan

In a recent budget meeting held on February 1, 2024, the council gathered to review and evaluate various proposals and decisions regarding the 2024 budget. It was emphasized that all matters discussed and voted on during this meeting would be revisited and ratified at the final meeting scheduled for February 27th.

The fifth item on the agenda was a budget update presented by Heather Boyd She outlined the progress made thus far, stating, "We have heard all of our initial presentations and are now at the point of evaluating and reviewing the budget before moving forward with decisions "

One of the decision packages presented was for the creation of a council assistant position, set to commence on July 1st. The estimated cost for the first year was projected at $41,000, which would double to $82,000 in the subsequent year. The council assistant role would involve providing support to council members, including tasks such as scheduling, conference registration, correspondence, and administrative support. The position would act as a liaison between councillors, residents, and staff, ensuring effective and timely communication. Additionally, the assistant would work closely with the Executive Assistant to the Mayor & Council Services, providing backup during special events and assisting with the coordination of various initiatives. The position would also offer administrative support for future municipal and school board elections, as well as purchasing and vital statistics support for the Council Services Division. However, several councillors expressed their opposition to the addition of this position, citing concerns about the already significant increase in the budget Councillor Robert Chambers stated, "I speak in opposition to this expenditure. With a 10% increase, it is not required or needed at this time That's not to say it won't be necessary in the future, but I cannot support the package now."

As a result, the majority of councillors voted against the proposal, leading to its failure

Another decision package under consideration was for Recorded Voting Software & Committee

Package #3, which proposed the addition of a Disability Claims Specialist, faced a similar fate as the assistant to council position Councillors expressed concerns about the high budget and the inability to justify hiring for this position at the present time Consequently, the package was defeated

In addition to these decisions, several other new positions suggested by County of Brant Staff were not approved by the council The council believed that these positions would further inflate an already burdensome budget. Various charities also requested funding, including St. Joseph's Life Care, Sacred Heart Church, and Adelaide Hunter Hoodless, but due to the budget constraints, their requests were denied. Stedman Community Hospice requested $100,000, and a motion was made to allocate half of the amount, the council voted in favor of providing $50,000, subject to ratification on February 27th. The final results of the 2024 budget will be thoroughly examined at that time

For those interested in reviewing the entire 5.5-hour meeting, it is available for viewing on YouTube at the following link:

RIVERS ‘N’ ROOTS GROWTH FUND & MORE ARTISTS ANNOUNCED

The Paris Agricultural Society to return up to 25% of the net profits from the Festival to our community by creating The Rivers ‘n’ Roots Growth Fund. The new fund is dedicated to advancing the capacity for agricultural leadership in the County of Brant, recognizing grassroots projects, and initiatives designed for positive impact Rivers ‘n’ Roots host, the Paris Agricultural Society, is a registered charitable organization operating in Brant County Their premiere event, the Paris Fair, was established in 1858 and introduces over 50,000 people annually to the “prettiest little town” of Paris, Ontario. Labour Day 2023’s fair saw record-setting numbers during its five-day run, with over 10,000 people on the grounds for the Tim Hicks’ concert Saturday night. During the concert, Country 104 host, Kendra Moore, announced this new event for 2024 ... The “Rivers ‘n’ Roots Music Festival, Celebrating Our Agricultural Community.” The two-day festival will take place July 5th and 6th at the Paris Fairgrounds with marketplace vendors, food trucks, a beer garden and more. James Barker Band, Aaron Goodvin, and The Prairie States will be joining headliners Dallas Smith and Russell Dickerson at the July 5 & 6, 2024 festival, with special guests Randy Houser, The Washboard Union and Hailey Benedict Learn more by visiting our website and/or instagram now!

Brant Eats! join us for a culinary experience in the County of Brant

The County of Brant is excited to announce the launch of Brant Eats, a campaign celebrating the rich and diverse culinary scene of our community. This initiative invites locals and visitors alike to explore the unique dining experiences our county has to offer, from the charming ambience of our historic eateries to the picturesque settings along the Grand River

Our local restaurants are not just places to eat; they're experiences waiting to be discovered. Each establishment in the County of Brant brings its own unique flavor and charm. Whether you're a food enthusiast or just looking for something new, our restaurants are ready to serve you an array of mouth-watering dishes To ease your culinary exploration, we've created a handy Restaurant Map and informative Restaurant Guide, both available online at www.brant.ca/BrantEats . These resources are designed to help you navigate the diverse food landscape of the County of Brant and plan your next night out on the town!

Show your appreciation for our local culinary talents by capturing a photo of your favourite meal and sharing it on social media with the hashtag #BrantEats. And here’s a cherry on top - your shared foodie photos could win you a $100 gift card to a restaurant of your choice in the

County of Brant!

Submit your photo through the online form at www.brant.ca/BrantEats and you'll be entered into a random draw for this exciting prize. Photos must be from a restaurant in the County of Brant. It's a great way to support local and share your food adventures with friends!

Brant Eats will not only highlight the culinary excellence of our local restaurants but strengthen our community's spirit by bringing people together through their shared love of good food and good times.

Join us in celebrating the flavors of the County of Brant. Let's eat, share, and enjoy together!