ELORA – The future of the Elora BIA was in question at Monday’s Centre Wellington council meeting.
Cathy Daultrey was one of several delegates in support of the BIA, that currently is only permitted four board members. The most recent board had six members, as well as member of council Kim Jefferson.
In the end, council voted to dissolve the board and form a new interim board comprised of township staff.
That decision came much to the dismay of the delegates who claim it is a misuse of taxpayer dollars, and that the board has been working hard to be more transparent.
In her delegation, Daultrey said the appointments of additional members didn’t go unnoticed by council.
Elora BIA Chair Erika Montero also addressed council.
She says this move has political roots, and is targeting a group doing their best to help the community.
Cathi Bastien, a member of the executive board, says while the Elora BIA is being questioned due to having too many members, it’s not the same reception for a BIA just minutes down the road.
The interim board will look to work in collaboration with the BIA on a new bylaw. CAO Dan Wilson addressed this as well as the fact that this isn’t necessarily the end for the current members when he spoke to council.
While the move was dubbed an “alarming attempt to reverse longstanding precedent and replace a local board of unpaid volunteers with highly paid township staff,” council made the move to disband the BIA for the “short-term.”
In a recorded vote, only councillors Jennifer Adams and Bronwynne Wilton voted against the idea of the short-term board.
You can find the full report here.
