Taxes, potential service cuts and the proposed community hub were among the issues raised during Wednesday’s virtual public consultation on the Chatham-Kent municipal budget.
Taxes, potential service cuts and the proposed community hub were among the issues raised during Wednesday’s virtual public consultation on the Chatham-Kent municipal budget.
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Hosted on the municipality’s Facebook and YouTube channels, Mayor Darrin Canniff, budget chair and Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor, and several general managers, provided a rundown as well as answered questions.
Last week, staff presented a draft budget with a 5.96 per cent proposed tax hike. This year’s initial increase was pegged at 8.17 per cent; however, some new efficiencies and a $2-million increase in Ontario Municipal Partnership funding resulted in a smaller starting figure.
McGregor said while Chatham-Kent will be able to maintain existing services at a level under inflation, there are various challenges similar to other municipalities.
“We all know in our community we’re facing an unprecedented level of social issues, including homelessness, housing issues,” he said.
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“There’s a very significant investment required.”
It is the second year of the 2024-2027 budget process, which was adopted last year to assist with long-term planning.
The proposed increase works out to about $120 for every $100,000 in assessed value.
Maintaining existing services included 31 per cent of the 5.96 per cent increase with asset management 34.5 per cent. Social issue investments also make up 34.5 per cent of the increase.
Some online participants had questions about the community hub, which would involve moving the civic center, library and museum to the former Sears portion of the Downtown Chatham Centre.
Gord Quinton, treasurer and chief financial officer, said there is “no impact” on the 2025 budget.
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“Through the instructions of past councils, we have not been investing in the current civic center for the last few years,” he said. “So, there has been some savings.
“There’s a lot of things that were planned to be done, but were put on hold.”
One person asked if the municipality would consider selling the John D. Bradley Convention Center.
While he noted that is council’s prerogative, Quinton said Chatham-Kent still owes $4.5 million on the debt.
“We’re talking about a 0.1 per cent budget savings in one year,” Quinton said. “What you’re giving away is a facility in Chatham-Kent that can have an event that’s over approximately 250 people … That Freedom Hall at the back can hold 800 to 1,000 people at events.
“That is the only indoor space (that size) available in Chatham-Kent. That’s why council bought the property and built the convention (centre) in the first place. But council decides service levels and can decide on whether it needs a convention center or not.”
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At the Oct. 7 council meeting, South Kent Coun. Ryan Doyle entered a successful motion asking for suggestions to find 7.5 per cent in cuts, equal to about $16 million.
Staff’s options for reductions include closing volunteer fire stations in North Kent, East Kent and West Kent and two stations in South Kent, as well as five library branches in Highgate, Merlin, Bothwell, Wheatley and Thamesville.
Cuts to infrastructure, service center hours, recreational programs and other services also were suggested.
However, a councilor would need to put forth a potential cut from that list in order for it to be voted on.
A second virtual budget consultation will take place Thursday at 7 pm
Canniff credited staff for its work, noting the proposed tax hike is “well below where we thought we’d be.
“This is extremely encouraging, as we begin a budget update that will undoubtedly come with some tough decisions that could impact Chatham-Kent for years to come.”
Budget deliberations start Tuesday in council chambers from 6 pm to 10 pm Deliberations continue Wednesday and Thursday, if required, at the same time and place.
The public can make deputations regarding the budget on the first night of deliberations. Requests and submissions to make deputations must be sent by email to [email protected] before noon on that date.
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