The fourth night of deliberations was far shorter than the third, but it was all Chatham-Kent councilors needed to pass this year’s budget, with a tax hike of 2.79 per cent.
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In a meeting that lasted less than an hour Wednesday, the budget passed in a 10-8 vote, with West Kent Coun. Melissa Harrigan entering the successful motion.
Chatham County. Brock McGregor, committee chair, said the budget – the final one for this council term – was challenging, particularly due to deliberations being held virtually.
“It’s been a learning experience over the four years,” he said, “and I appreciate the time and patience that it takes to get through this together.
“I look forward to what the next group of councilors and community members will do to move our community forward.”
Council initially came into Wednesday night with a proposed tax hike of 2.93 per cent.
Mayor Darrin Canniff entered a successful motion to reduce lifecycle inflation by $95,657 in base funding, as well as increase the one-time interest revenue by $130,000.
Chatham County. Karen Kirkwood-Whyte also reiterated council’s support the previous night for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s proposed residential withdrawal management unit, which hadn’t been pulled for discussion.
“Five-hundred thousand dollars to help save lives is a small amount,” she said of the one-time cost, suggesting it could save long-term dollars in health care, emergency medical services and policing.
The hospital is proposing renovations to its Chatham site to create a 10-bed unit, which would operate around the clock with access to outpatient services. The project still requires approval from Ontario Health, which would provide the operating costs.
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During Tuesday’s deliberations, which required a time extension past 10:30 pm, council made a number of changes.
The EMS service enhancement was approved but delayed until July of this year, saving $289,519.
Defeated was a motion to take $500,000 from the strategic development reserve in an effort to reduce the tax impact. Some at the table said the move would’ve been shortsighted by simply pushing the problem to the future.
The municipal portion of up to $125,000 for 10 pickleball courts was accepted and will come from reserves while the province will provide $429,600 through the Community Building Fund of the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
A total of $200,000 from reserves was approved for a tennis dome, with the amount to be forwarded if funding from other sources materializes.
Future reports are planned for both projects.
North Kent County. Joe Faas tried unsuccessfully twice to accept the budget on Tuesday, but each motion failed in a deadlocked 9-9 vote.
He noted staff members did their best to find efficiencies while councilors weren’t having much luck in their search for cuts during deliberations.
“We haven’t been very successful in doing that,” he said. “I think we’ve looked at every area that we can look at. There isn’t much of a flavor to look at surpluses, which I agree we shouldn’t be looking at.”
After the eventual passing of the budget, McGregor thanked council, staff and community members for their efforts throughout the process.
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Chatham County. Michael Bondy expressed a desire that meetings should return to in-person sessions, given the ability to physically distance within the John D. Bradley Center or within municipal arenas.
He doesn’t believe the community is being served as well as it could be.
“We really have to get back to live council, live budget,” said Bondy, suggesting it allows councilors to be more efficient and thorough.
“There’s nothing that’s gone awry. It’s not the same when people are not in person.”
McGregor said he understands the frustrations of virtual versus in the chamber, but added that council and staff have made the best of the pandemic situation.
He said council also has the ability to discuss any item or bring forward motions as they have in the past.
Council will reconvene for a regular virtual meeting this Monday at 6 pm