With a 6.35 per cent tax hike proposed last week, Chatham-Kent residents had a chance to ask questions and offer feedback Wednesday during the first of two online budget consultations.
With a 6.35 per cent tax hike proposed last week, Chatham-Kent residents had a chance to ask questions and offer feedback Wednesday during the first of two online budget consultations.
Mayor Darrin Canniff, budget chair and Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor, and municipal staff were on hand, with each noting councilors will be faced with challenging decisions when deliberations kick off next week.
Inflationary pressures and infrastructure costs resulted in the proposed increase, which works out to a roughly $200 impact on the average household’s property tax bill. However, this is not the final number.
“Ultimately, it’s the budget committee that’s going to be making some changes and finalizing the budget for the coming year,” McGregor said. “That feedback from the public is really important.”
Capital costs and asset management also account for 3.65 per cent of the total proposed hike.
In response to a question asking about the justification for such a large overall release, Gord Quinton, chief financial officer, said prices have “skyrocketed” for many goods and services in 2022, leading into this year.
“We do see that starting to peak and come down,” he said. “December CPI (consumer price index) had dropped 0.5 per cent, so we’re on the right trend down but we’re still above six per cent.”
Quinton said staff recognize what such a large tax hike can mean for a household.
“We do realize that it’s a hard budget,” he said. “Asking for six per cent and above … we know that can have a huge impact on people’s own budgets. It’s up to council to consider that as well.”
Quinton noted staff are always looking for efficiencies, including through the use of technology, such as a new documentation management system that’s in the works.
During last week’s budget presentation in council chambers, there were several deputations and funding requests.
These included a $4.5-million request from the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance for its Wallaceburg site redevelopment, as well a nearly $9.7-million request from Indwell affordable housing. Both will be discussed further on in the budget process.
Some residents had questions about this funding, with Quinton noting that further information will be brought to council. He added that such requests are often payable over a period of time.
Another online community budget consultation session is slated for Thursday at 7 pm on the municipality’s Facebook page.
Budget committee deliberations will be held in council chambers and online at 6 pm on Jan. 25, Jan. 26 and Jan. 31, with Feb. 1 and 2 set aside if needed.
Written deputations of up to three minutes in length are welcome each evening. Submissions must be made by email to [email protected] before noon each day.