With 2024 in the books, what’s on the table for 2025?

Councillors in Paris’ Wards 2 and 3 reflect on the past year and look ahead to this year’s challenges

The Paris Independent reached out to all Paris Councillors with the same set of questions. Below are their responses.

JOHN BELL, WARD 3

1. In your opinion, what was the council's biggest accomplishment in 2024?

Developing a long-term financial plan to inform and guide Council as they oversee the County’s finances. It will enable us to make better decisions and sustain the County’s finances into the longer term.

2. What was the council's biggest challenge in 2024?

Managing an increasingly fragile and combative relationship with the City of Brantford Council.

3. 2024 was a tough fiscal year. How do you think the county will balance the financial responsibilities in the year ahead, while keeping tax increases to a minimum, yet satisfying the growing needs of the community?

One of Councillor John Bell’s favourite events to attend last year was the Southwestern Ontario Special Olympics Track and Field event held at Pauline Johnson School in July. His great nephew Spencer competed. The 2025 Provincial Summer Special Olympic Games will be held in the County of Brant and City of Brantford. Spencer will represent Southwestern Ontario.

As the County grows the demand for existing services increases, there is a need for more and renewed infrastructure, and an increasing pressure for additional facilities and services such as indoor pools, more expansive and frequent transit services and green bin pick up These factors put significant financial pressures which can be met by one of three (or a combination of) responsesincreasing our debt levels, raising property taxes, or reducing some services. Our Long-Term Financial

Plan will help in balancing these responses, but I believe we will see significant tax increases for the next few years.

4. What special project would you like to see approved, implemented or move forward in 2025?

The renovation of downtown Paris - this project will extend out to 2030 and beyond, but the first big step will be taken in 2025 as we renew and rebuild Grand River Street North in the downtown area.

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