The dispute between Downtown London and some of its merchants spilled over into council chambers Tuesday afternoon.
The business association’s board submitted its 2019 budget to council for approval.
It’s the same budget that a majority of voting members did not support at the BIA’s annual general meeting.
But under the Municipal Act, as long as the budget has been presented to its membership for discussion, even if it is rejected by members, the board can still go to council for approval.
The Corporate Services Committee was warned that without an approved budget, Downtown London won’t be able to make any strategic decisions.
But unhappy merchants asked that the budget approval be put on hold until June - when an ad hoc committee intended to resolve the dispute delivers a set of recommendations.
Ultimately a motion for the Corporate Services Committee to approve the 2019 budget failed on a tie vote 3-3.
Also on Tuesday, the ad hoc committee to resolve Downtown London's issues held its first meeting.
Downtown London’s budget will be debated again at next Tuesday’s council meeting.
