Chatham-Kent budget: Major service cuts proposed to reduce spending

Fire halls, libraries, museums and full-time jobs could be on the shopping block if Chatham-Kent council adopts suggested savings presented by administration.

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The list of cost-cutting suggestions will be presented on the opening night of Chatham-Kent municipal budget talks Wednesday is in response to a motion passed by council Oct. 7 to find 7.5 per cent in cuts, equal to about $16 million.

About $1.3 million in savings over 10 years could be realized if five volunteer fire stations are closed, including in North Kent, East Kent and West Kent and two stations in South Kent, according to cuts listed.

The impact is the reduction in provincial funding and likely an increase in emergency medical service costs, the report says. Other impacts could include higher insurance rates for businesses and homeowners due to longer fire response times.

It also notes firefighters would likely experience increases to the stressors of physical and mental well-being as the result of the increased call volumes from those stations covering the gaps.

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Another suggested cut to the fire service is eliminating a fire inspector position to save $150,000 with the offset being a drastic increase in risk to the community, visitors and businesses from the dangers of fire.

The suggested closure of five small library branches in Highgate, Merlin, Bothwell, Wheatley, Thamesville would provide $306,437 in savings, including the elimination of jobs.

Reducing hours at municipal service centers in Wallaceburg, Dresden, Tilbury, Ridgetown and Blenheim by closing for staggered hours over lunch between 1 pm and 2:30 pm would save $87,321.

About $590,000 can be saved by eliminating the Activities, Lessons and Leisure for Kids program that helps cover the cost of recreational services for about 700 children from low-income families. The activities this program helps pay for includes sports, camps, art lessons, music lessons, Girl Guides and Scouts.

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The report also calls for cutting the $19,000 cost to cater dinner for council while it meets in-camera before council meetings as well as eliminating the $44,200 spent on training, seminars and conferences for council.

The infrastructure cost-cutting list includes reducing the level of gravel added to the gravel road network for a savings of $1.65 million, which would lead to more washboard sections and potholes.

Another $500,000 could be saved by reducing the number of times rural roadsides are mowed, which reduces weeds and improves visibility.

The need to transfer $600,000 to cover bridge lifecycle costs would be eliminated by diving some bridges with a low amount of traffic.

The suggested cuts also include eliminating rural curbside garbage collection, saving impacted taxpayers a combined $50,000 annually in area-rated taxes.

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Chatham-Kent chief administrative officer Michael Duben told council at Monday’s meeting this cost-cutting exercise has been hard on staff.

“There’s a significantly low morality right now,” he said.

“There’s been a lot of time spent with staff, not necessarily working on the motion but just explaining to staff that this motion, at this point in time, is just a motion for us to present ideas.”

Following the budget presentation to council on Wednesday, two virtual community consultation sessions are planned for Nov. 20 from noon to 1 pm and Nov. 21 from 7 pm to 8 pm at www.facebook.com/MunicCK.

Council will meet for budget deliberations on Nov. 26 in council chambers from 6 pm to 10 pm Deliberations continue Nov. 27 and Nov. 28, if required, at the same time and place.

The public can make a deputation to council regarding the budget on opening night Wednesday or the first night of deliberations on Nov. 26. Requests and submissions to make a deputation must be sent by email to [email protected] before noon on these dates.

[email protected]

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