THUNDER BAY – At least one business owner is frustrated after receiving a bill collecting hundreds of additional dollars in levy to the Fort William BIA, but the association’s co-ordinator says it’s the result of miscommunication and is being addressed.
Lori Paras, owner of the Hub Bazaar on East Victoria Avenue, said she earlier this week she received a letter from the city’s revenue department which included her annual amount payable to the Fort William BIA had increased by $600.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said on Friday. “I was shocked. Having a $1,100 bill going to $1,700 per year means that in the space here at the Hub Bazaar we’re known for giving people reasonable rents. It’s low risk for any entrepreneur to come in here and prove their business plan before they get into a long-term lease. Now I may have to raise their rents to be able to cover this.”
Fort William BIA co-ordinator Kristina Belanger said the group’s board had sought about $50,000 in additional funding from the city earlier this year. Instead, the city dollars were to be matched by member businesses, resulting in a 42 per cent levy hike.
The error wasn’t realized until earlier this week, Belanger said.
“The intention was never for our members to feel the increase. We were under the assumption it was coming from city contributions,” Belanger said.
A second mistake was made on the bill when the minimum and maximum calculations were not properly adjusted.
The board held an emergency meeting on Friday morning to develop a plan going forward. Belanger said different options are being deliberated and will be presented at a meeting held on Dec. 14, which is open to all members.
“We are working right now on amending our budget so we could potentially give some of that back to our members,” Belanger said. “We’re hoping we might be able to have a solution for them that might not result in such a significant increase.”
Paras spoke out earlier this month about an online survey the Fort William BIA had commissioned about rebranding the south downtown core with options including Billy's Town, the Kaministiquia District, River's End and Uptown.
Despite the objections against some of the board’s decisions, she said she still wants to be part of the BIA.
“I want to work with the board. I want this to be a strong board. I want this to be a knowledgeable board,” Paras said.
“I like that there’s money. I like that I’m contributing and supporting. I want to see that money stay down here but I want it to do what it’s supposed to do. It’s supposed to drive customers and traffic into our area and help business owners.”
