Chatham-Kent council approved a 1.62% tax hike on Wednesday, the second night of their 2018 budget deliberations.
The number was trimmed down from the initial staff recommendations of 2.27%.
The increase works out to an added $46 on a home assessed at $165,500.
Wallaceburg Coun. Jeff Wesley told the Sydenham Current he wishes the tax impact was lower, but believes the budget is reasonable.
“Throughout the budget it was always in the back of my mind that our small business are struggling with recent new costs under Bill 148 and that our seniors and families struggle with a lower annual income in Chatham-Kent versus the provincial average so any tax increase has a greater impact than other areas in the province,” Wesley said.
“While I would like to have seen a lower tax increase I did not see the will on council to make it happen. One of the things you have to be concerned about if you push for a lower tax increase is that budget items good for your community may be put on the chopping block.”
West Kent Coun. Mark Authier’s recommendation to add an additional 12-hour ambulance shift per day, with the goal of increasing efficiency during shift changes and maintenance periods, was not approved.
The price for the move would have cost $1 million, and would have included staffing.
Council did approve a $180,000 line in the budget to purchase an additional ambulance.
Reports say staff is working with Medavie, who provides ambulance services for Chatham-Kent, to come up with a solution, which will be brought back to council.
When looking at specific items included in the budget, Wesley said funding for the arena renovations is a big boost for Wallaceburg.
“$2 million for our arena is a real benefit to the community and so many user groups,” he said.
“Additional funds for more ambulances and more paramedics is great for all of Chatham-Kent. Continued funding for critical infrastructure is another positive – our roads and bridges continue to need more work. Given Bill 148 from the province and all the added costs it downloaded this is a reasonable and realistic budget.”
In Dresden, council approved an $8,000 increase for the Dresden Horticultural Society.
Chatham-Kent staff says this is the first significant increase in years for the group.
This is also an area-rated item, so Dresden residents will pick up cost, staff says.
Gord Quinton, director of budget and performance services in Chatham-Kent, said the 2018 budget is a responsible one.
“Council passed a responsible inflation budget at 1.62% while accomplishing a significant increase to infrastructure funding,” Quinton tweeted on Wednesday.
The tax hike last year was 1.96%.
