Chatham-Kent staff presented their 2016 draft budget to council on Tuesday night and administration is proposing a 3.29% tax increase.
Staff is recommending a total of $900,000 worth of service cuts, including:
– Closure of the Bothwell Arena
– Closure of the Brunner Centre in Thamesville
– Closure of the Ridgetown Youth Centre
– Closure of the Tilbury and Bothwell scout huts
– Closure of Jaycee Pool
– Elimination of the Communities in Bloom program and position
Council directed staff back in June to create a budget with a 2% increase, plus contributions for infrastructure and asset management.
The proposed 3.29% hike includes a 0.67% phase-in for infrastructure.
Prior to budget deliberations starting January 26, council and administration will be holding Community Open Houses to gather input from the public on the recommendations and any other budget matter.
These meetings will take place as follows:
Tuesday, January 19, 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Wallaceburg Municipal Office, 786 Dufferin Ave., Wallaceburg
Wednesday, January 20, 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Tilbury Arena, Ryder Hall, 55 Bond Ave., Tilbury
Thursday, January 21, 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Active Lifestyle Centre, 20 Merritt Avenue, Chatham
The format of these sessions will be as follows:
– open house with one on one discussions with administration and Council from 4:30 to 5:00
– brief presentation & question and answer period as a group from 5:00 to 6:00
Deliberations will then be held January 26, 27, 28 and February 2, 3, 4.
Watch for more on this story.
