Council supports Paris BIA budget and new committee members

By Casandra Turnbull

Councillors voted to support the Paris Business Improvement Area’s (BIA) 2024 operating budget during this week’s council meeting.

The BIA’s revenue comes from its membership levies. A total of 90 members pay the annual fee of $325, which is up by $25 this year, to be part of the association The group recaptures $2,500 in estimated HST for a total revenue of $31,750

Their biggest expense is $21,730 for a BIA coordinator, a staffed position The spend a combined $12,750 on seasonal promotions and Jingle Bell Night/5 Festival Fridays. Another

$6,000 is allotted for beautification of the downtown and $5,500 is spent on general/social advertising. To attend the OBIAA Membership and Conference, $800 is put aside. A total of $4,600 is used for membership recognition/meetings, county fees, outside consultation, bank charges and website/office expenses. Final expenses tally up at $51,380, with $19,630 declared deficit from reserves.

Council supported the BIA’s proposal to use some outstanding reserve funds to offset 2024 expenditures. There is no cost to County of Brant ratepayers outside of the BIA or impact on the tax levy and there are sufficient funds in the reserve to offset this contribution for 2024.

It was noted that Councillor Lukas Oakley was appointed to the Paris BIA committee until the end of the 2026 council term Other appointed members include Penny Ritchie, Katherine Pickering, Matt Cummings, Valerie Simpson and Michelle Van Laeken

One member of the originally appointed executive resigned At the General Meeting, Isis Harvey was recommended to fill the vacant position and council approved the recommendation