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Given infrastructure needs and inflationary pressures, worsened during the ongoing pandemic, Chatham-Kent counselors were presented with a proposed 4.74 per cent tax increase.
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The opening night of budget featured overviews from various department heads, who provided a rundown of the realities facing the municipality this year.
Wednesday’s proposed tax hike isn’t the final number, as there will be opportunities for the public to provide comment before council begins its deliberations later this month.
Gord Quinton, chief financial officer, said COVID-19 continues to pose challenges to the municipality, as well as the ongoing Wheatley gas leak situation, which has seen progress but has yet to be resolved.
He said these issues have “stretched every division” as staff continue to work with each other, as well as the community.
“We are a resilient community, and therefore we bring you a truly sustainable budget tonight that properly funds what needs to be funded,” he said.
Inflation is pegged at 2.93 per cent to cover the increase in current services and 1.48 per cent to cover inflation on infrastructure.
Chatham-Kent’s total revenue breakdown for 2021 was just under $ 340 million.
Some of the highlights that administration outlined in this year’s draft budget include:
– Replacing aging infrastructure, large bridges and improving storm sewers;
– Improving municipal facilities;
– Maintaining and delivering existing community services;
– Addressing asset divestment;
– Increasing resident care at Riverview Gardens, moving towards four hours of care;
– Supporting community policing and outreach, while funding the mandated enhanced 911 project which will allow dispatchers automatically identify the caller’s location;
– Supporting and mitigating at-risk areas of the municipality and addressing shoreline issues;
– Investing in technology to enhance efficiency and reduce operational risk.
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Many of the new staffing positions, particularly at Riverview Gardens, are covered under alternate sources of funding, Quinton added.
The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance also gave a deputation Wednesday, requesting a one-time contribution of $ 500,000 to go towards capital costs for a 10-bed residential withdrawal management unit at the hospital.
However, this would be contingent on the approval of operational funding from Ontario Health.
Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor, budget chair, encouraged residents to get involved and offer their feedback throughout the process.
“It’s really council’s role, as we move into budget deliberations as a budget committee, to take on ownership of the budget and do that hard work to finalize what will guide priorities for the next year,” he said.
Two opportunities for providing public comment have been set for Jan. 19 from 12 pm to 1 pm and Jan. 20 from 7 pm to 8 pm Staff will provide a brief summary of the budget at the beginning of each of these community consultation meetings.
These two meetings will be broadcast on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent Facebook live feed.
The municipality has scheduled budget committee deliberations for Jan. 26, Jan. 27 and Feb. 1 from 6 pm to 10 pm each day. Feb. 2 and Feb. 3 have also been set aside if necessary.
Staff will accept written deputations of up to five minutes each evening. Submissions must be sent to [email protected] before 3 pm each day.
Comments can also be mailed to Budget & Performance Services, Municipality of Chatham-Kent, 315 King St. W., PO Box 640, Chatham, Ont., N7M 5K8, or submitted by phone to 519-360-1998.
All budget meetings will be broadcasted by YourTV and livestreamed on the YourTV Chatham-Kent YouTube page.