COMMUNITY NEWS Big projects on the horizon in 2024 but fiscal restraints will present new challenges

Ahead of important budget discussions, The Paris Independent talked to all four Paris councillors to see what’s in store for the community, and its residents, in the year ahead.

By Casandra Turnbull

The new year is just underway, but all signs are already pointing to a tough road ahead in 2024. Taxpayers will see a property tax hike as council attempts to balance years of downloaded development, financial fallout from Bill 23 More Homes Built Faster Act, inflation and aging infrastructure

A staff presentation to council during a special meeting on December 21, outlined the first draft of the Long-Term Financial Plan, and it painted a clear picture of the financial strain following years of rapid development. How that translates to taxpayers will be determined in the next couple of weeks as councillors and the mayor begin rigorous budget discussions in conjunction with financializing the Long-Term Financial Plan.

Ahead of these important discussions, The Paris Independent talked to all four Paris councillors to see what’s in store for the community, and its residents, in the year ahead.As they reviewed 2023 and looked to 2024, one common theme emerged: The province’s Bill 23 profoundly impacted the county’s Official Plan. Municipalities across the province must now find creative solutions to balance the growth while still providing vital tax-based services. Surrounding communities are facing potential tax hikes between 10-15% and the county is no different with a projected increase of around 10% , although not yet approved Below, all four Paris Councillors share their thoughts as we dive into a new year.

LUKAS OAKLEY, WARD 2 PARIS

Q: In 2023 council submitted the Official Plan, one of the biggest accomplishments of the year. What will be council’s biggest focus this year and how will it affect residents of Paris?

A: “Our biggest focus this year will be completing our Master Zoning By-law Amendment when the Official Plan is approved by the province. This will be the next step in taking what is in our OP and turning it into more attainable housing in our community,” said Oakley.

At the end of 2023 he brought forward a motion on Multiplex Housing, which after discussion with staff it morphed into this zoning by-law amendment. “This will allow for more unit types and options to be available within our town, as infill development, and not as sprawl ”

Q: What special project would you like to see approved and implemented in 2024?

A: “Voting transparency and organic waste collection.” Oakley hopes to accomplish voter transparency in the earlier part of the year as part of the yearly budget discussion. “Due to concerns over staffing restraints, my motion from March of last year to have all votes be recorded for the public record was deferred to this year’s budget process. Continued on page 8

I am a very strong believer in transparency and accountability and that this will enable the public to be more informed about how the municipal process operates,” said Oakley.

As for organic waste collection (Green Bins) Oakley hopes to see final approval on an organic waste collection program because it is invaluable for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and diverting waste streams.

“Many other municipalities have organic waste collection programs and we need to get with the times. Not to mention the demand is there, I receive many emails and public comments requesting such a program.”

Q: What do you predict will be council’s biggest hurdle this year, and why?

A: “Our biggest hurdle this year by far will be our budget and the public impact of that budget.” Oakley said council’s Long Term Financial Plan update in December showed some not so promising figures. There’s some serious funding required to keep up with aging infrastructure, growth and downloaded costs. “The hospital project alone and its local funding requirement of a current estimated $130 million is staggering ” Council approved the transfer of $180,000 from the 2023 Community Grants Budget to the New Hospital Project Reserve Fund last year. Another $720,000 is projected to go into the reserve this year.

In our projection from Watsons and Associates, to meet our capital funding needs, we are looking at an average increase of 4.9% over the next decade.” Furthermore, because of an immediate upfront funding shortage, Watsons and Associates recommend an increase of 24%, which is unlikely, but it stresses the urgency of the current situation. “It is fair to predict that we will have a few years of larger tax increases than what the public is used to ” He noted this is a reflection province wide. Other municipalities and cities, Oxford County, the City of Hamilton and Region of Waterloo are also expecting significant tax hikes. Oakley points out that the County of Brant has one of the lowest residential tax rates in Southwestern Ontario and feels the county has underfunded itself and now downloaded costs from the provincial government will only add more stress to the situation.

Q: The end of 2024 marks the halfway mark through this new term of council. Have you accomplished some of your own personal goals and what do you look to accomplish before the end of this term?

A: “In the latter half of 2023 I wrote or co-wrote five resolutions including expanded housing options, forming a government relations committee and supporting GoTransit in the region. Furthermore, we have improved our municipal transit offering, moving to a new service provider as well as increasing the number of available rides, which was a major campaign item for myself ”

Oakley said he’s optimistic the Joint Services Committee with the City of Brantford will provide more transit solutions For the remainder of the term, one of his priorities will be to protect the county’s natural environment for generations to come. “This has become significantly more challenging than initially expected, as the day after the municipal elections, the provincial government introduced Bill 23, stripping away many tools we had at our disposal,” he said citing the loss of the excess lands policy and Conservation Authority partners losing funding and jurisdiction One effort he supports, which aligns with his personal goal, is the North of the Nith project which will protect natural habitat and expand on other transit/recreation activities in the county.

Q: In your opinion, what were some of the most important projects of 2023?

A: “Beyond the Official Plan, we approved (in principle) the new Main Branch Library build. The Town of Paris has not had a significant investment in our library facilities in decades, and with our rapid growth, it is a much-needed piece of social infrastructure.”

Oakley also feels the Trillium Way Affordable Housing Project groundbreaking was a significant move forward in addressing a massive shortfall in affordable housing in the community “We desperately need this type of housing and I look forward to more projects like it in the county.”

Q: Finally, please share your favourite event you attended in 2023 and why?

A: “Jingle Bell Night. As the council representative on the Downtown Paris BIA, watching the event come together so well was fantastic to see When so many downtowns are struggling right now, to see downtown Paris positively buzzing with happy, festive people was heartwarming and a great indicator for the future.”

COUNCILLOR STEVE HOWES, WARD 2 PARIS

Q: In 2023 council submitted the Official Plan, one of the biggest accomplishments of the year. What will be council’s biggest focus this year and how will it affect residents of Paris?

A: “A Long Term Financial Plan for the county is a top priority moving forward. We have some significant financial hurdles to manage in the years ahead.” Examples, he provided, included the county’s very large (and required) financial obligation to the new BGH Hospital, the need for a new County of Brant Main

Library branch and the extreme need for government funded affordable housing

Q: What special project would you like to see approved and implemented in 2024?

A: “One of my personal goals is to see the land west of the Paris Landfill Station turned into the nature park for mountain bikers, hikers and cross-country skiers. This land is referred to (at least for now) as North of the Nith and it has the potential of being even larger than Barker’s Bush, with no houses being built nearby.” Howes said he hopes 2024 brings the initial steps to turn this land into a beautiful new outdoor park facility which will help counterbalance the growth by adding more preservation of greenspace.

“I am also eager to see us finalize commitment to a new main Branch Library for the County This municipality is going to continue to grow and a library building originally built over 100 years ago is not the right structure to take us into the next 100 years. We have some great plans for the Bawcutt Centre/Old Town Hall location, and I am eager to see this project receive a final green light.”

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Some of Councillor Steve Howes’ favourite events he attended in 2023 were hosted by County of Brant Firefighters, who he credits for giving so much back to the community. Steve is pictured with Sparky during a 2023 Touch a Truck fundraiser in support of local business owner Scott Dammeier.

Q: What do you predict will be council’s biggest hurdle this year, and why?

A: “It continues to be issues related to our relationship with the provincial government. Bill 23, in particular, caused a lot of challenges for Municipalities and a year later, those issues remain unresolved.”

Howes said he agrees with some of the province’s ideas to address supply/demand issues making home ownership unaffordable but believes the tactics and execution of plans needs adjustment and more engagement from a municipal level “We need to create an environment where our residents have access to more modest rental housing solutions, and I don’t see enough in the Province’s plans to assist us in steering growth in that direction.”

Q: The end of 2024 marks the halfway mark through this new term of council. Have you accomplished some of your own personal goals and what do you look to accomplish before the end of this term?

A: “When I sought re-election, some of my goals included efforts to manage residential growth, protections and celebration of our heritage features, emphasis on modest housing solutions and expansion of Arts and Culture in our community. Those continue to be my priorities and while we have made some progress in most areas, we need to do more, and those goals will remain at the top of my list for the remainder of the term.”

In reflecting on the new term so far, Howes pointed out there’s some great voices on councils, some bringing new perspective. While not everyone always shares the same perspective, everyone is always respectful of one another’s opinions and at the end of the day that has translated to some wellthought out, and carefully respected policies and decisions.

Q: In your opinion, what were some of the most important projects of 2023?

A: “I was very happy to see us break ground for the new Affordable Housing building on Trillium Way. We need about ten more of these buildings throughout the county, but at $12 to $15 million each, that is a lot for the taxpayer’s pocketbook. We need to find housing solutions that are more efficient to build, and we need nongovernment partners who are willing to work with us to achieve them. This needs to be a top priority”

Q: Finally, please share your favourite event you attended in 2023 and why?

A: “Many of my favourite events revolve around our wonderful Fire Departments. The Paris crew held a terrific fundraiser to help our friends at Scott’s Family Restaurant as Scott battled Cancer In the summer I attended the graduation celebrations for the Camp Phoenix program where young women from our community have the opportunity to learn about a career in firefighting. And very recently, I was honoured to attend and present some awards at the year end Fire Services Achievement Awards and Recruit Graduation Ceremony. These are stellar men and women who give so much to our community.”

COUNCILLOR JOHN BELL, WARD 3 PARIS

Q: In 2023 council submitted the Official Plan, one of the biggest accomplishments of the year. What will be council’s biggest focus this year and how will it affect residents of Paris?

A: “A better understanding of the financial position of the County of Brant through the development and implementation of a Long Term Financial Plan (a draft of which we received in late 2023) This plan will allow council to make better informed financial decisions and will illustrate our ability to afford (and the pace with which we develop) necessary infrastructure, community facilities and enhanced services.”

Q: What special project would you like to see approved and implemented in 2024?

A: “Typically larger projects are not approved and implemented in a single year. I hope to see an update to the Downtown Paris Master Plan in 2024 with implementation start in 2025 I believe it will transform and revitalize downtown Paris ”

Q: What do you predict will be council’s biggest hurdle this year, and why?

A: “Our ability to afford the many projects and delivery of services we would like to provide. I suspect the 2024 budget will be the most challenging in my 5+ years on council and the impact to property taxpayers will be significant ”

Q: The end of 2024 marks the halfway mark through this new term of council. Have you accomplished some of your own personal goals and what do you look to accomplish before the end of this term?

A: “I wanted to see a Long Term Financial Plan in place (and we are making good progress) I want to see an exciting, energizing and practical downtown Paris Master Plan implemented before the end of my term. Continuing to manage the growth of Paris as well as we possibly can given the relatively few tools we have to control the pace of growth, which is essentially dictated by the Provincial government.”

Q: In your opinion, what were some of the most important projects of 2023?

A: “The Cainsville Community Centre, commencement of the new Paris Lawn Bowling Clubhouse, which will become also the permanent home of the Paris Senior’s Club, commencement of upgrades to Grand River Street North.”

Bell also hopes the new Joint City / County Shared Services Committee will continue to bring more vital and shared services between Brant and Brantford.

Q: Finally, please share your favourite event you attended in 2023 and why?

A: “The Ontario Small Urban Municipalities Conference held in the County of Brant this year. It was an event that focussed on municipalities facing similar challenges to ourselves and we were both able to contribute our experience and learn from others.”

COUNCILLOR JOHN PEIRCE, WARD 3 PARIS

Q: In 2023 council submitted the Official Plan, one of the biggest accomplishments of the year. What will be council’s biggest focus this year and how will it affect residents of Paris?

A: “Final approval of the County’s Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) was key as it provides a focus of strategic priorities for the entire County moving forward, but with some higher tax implications for our residents as we invest in long-term projects such as our infrastructure replacement / upgrades. The reality is some of our infrastructure is pushing 70 – 100 years old when it comes to water / waste water / storm sewers; although we have created a multi-year project to address these operational and capacity challenges. Grand River Street North (GRSN) will be redone from Watts Pond Road all the way to downtown (GRSN and William intersection) and will impact the normal flow of traffic within the working areas ”

Q: What special project would you like to see approved and implemented in 2024?

A: “I would like to see the Downtown Master Plan finalized and approved early in 2024, which will allow us to ensure a vibrant, welcoming and robust downtown core. A second project that was recently approved is the completion of the Paris North Fire Hall as this is long overdue and greatly needed. Scheduled to be built in 2024, it will not only allow quicker response for North Paris (Ward2), but will also supplement emergency

Councillor John Peirce, far left, in council chambers alongside Councillor John Bell, former Councillor Marc Laferriere and Councillor Steve Howes. Peirce said he hopes to see the Downtown Master Plan finalized and approved early in 2024 responses into Ward 1.”

Q: What do you predict will be council’s biggest hurdle this year, and why?

A: “Due to the scope and duration of the infrastructure projects we, like many other Municipalities in Ontario, are facing a required property tax increase which may reach double digits

The Norfolk The Norfolk

A second challenge is the continued disruption of GRSN traffic through the main fair of Paris for both this year and several subsequent years. While this will test everyone’s patience with the altered traffic flow, this is a necessary action we need to take to ensure sustainability moving forward.”

Q: The end of 2024 marks the halfway mark through this new term of council. Have you accomplished some of your own personal goals and what do you look to accomplish before the end of this term?

A: “My goals remain to provide the County of Brant with the best-case situation, specifically when it comes to developers and planned density strategies while trying to maintain the prettiest town in Ontario. Unfortunately, with Provincial legislation, we have encountered significant resistance, but our challenges have resulted in several small wins that have benefited the community For the remainder of my term, I will continue to keep pressure on developers.

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I will also continue ensuring sufficient recreational and health services for the pending increase in population as well as do everything I can to help our local community come together and thrive ”

Q: In your opinion, what were some of the most important projects of 2023?

A: “Finalizing the Official Plan was of utmost importance to the County of Brant as a whole, as it sets out what the opportunities are for development in the area, and what types of development will and will not be permitted and in which location The completion and opening of the TF Warren Group Cainsville Community provided a muchneeded public location for all citizens of the County to gather for group activities and special events. It provides social support, public information, and other purposes.”

Q: Finally, please share your favourite event you attended in 2023 and why?

A: “As always there are many special events that happen across the County each year with the help of many local volunteers. Although it is difficult to attend them all I was able to enjoy the Paris Fair, the Burford Fair and the St George Apple Fest.”