July is here and with it comes a new financial year and the introduction of a Business Improvement District to an inner city precinct.

A new committee has been elected for the Eden Terrace Business Association which opened the books under the BID model at the start of the month.

Ariel Books owner Ron Harcus remains as chairman of the committee but says the role of elected members now changes to one of governance.

Four new members join the committee including businessman Graeme Bulling who previously spoke out against the BID proposal.

A mail ballot for business owners in the area was held in March and April to see if there was enough support for the project.

Plans to proceed were confirmed at a full association meeting in late May where a targeted rate was decided on as well.

Mr Bulling also filed a complaint that month to the Ombudsman accusing Auckland Council of staging a bias and unfair ballot process to turn the precinct from a business association into an improvement district.

He now steps in as treasurer of the committee.

Mr Harcus says there are no concerns with Mr Bulling's inclusion to the committee as "funnily enough it's not really a change of heart" for him.

He was originally concerned with the cost of the targeted rates as opposed to the concept of the district itself. The rates have been cut in half since the initial ballot proposal.

The chairman also says it makes sense that Mr Bulling is treasurer as he has an accounting background.

The association gets its first quarterly instalment of $37,500 this month and is looking for a manager to drive its direction during the coming months.

The committee is also looking at options for an office in the area and is hoping to confirm both that location and the manager's role by August.

Meanwhile, members are pushing ahead with present projects including a street light audit in the district, a mixed-use parking proposal and a security venture with neighbouring association precincts Kingsland and Karangahape Rd.

- © Fairfax NZ News