Service cuts axed as budget deliberations begin

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Some potential service cuts across Chatham-Kent were taken out of the budget on the opening night of deliberations in Chatham, including an item that would have affected Wallaceburg’s signature event.

Here are some of the items removed from the budget so far:

Public works support for special events

WAMBO in Wallaceburg will still be getting some help through the public works department, as council removed the elimination of public works support for various community special events.

Wallaceburg Coun. Carmen McGregor said she didn’t believe the list of events included in these proposed cuts was “fair across the board.”

She said a more detailed report and discussion is expected following the budget process.

Wallaceburg Coun. Jeff Wesley said charging WAMBO $10,000 for this service and $9,000 to the Wallaceburg BIA to install Christmas lights was not a good option.

“That’s just crazy,” Wesley said.

Events like WAMBO bring people into the community, which in turn spend money at restaurants and buy gas.

“There is an absolute payback to the tax payers,” Wesley said.

Bill Wolsing, chair of the Wallaceburg Antique Motor and Boat Outing (WAMBO), had said this proposed cut would hurt the event. “They are a big part of helping us make WAMBO a success. To lose that would be pulling the mat from under us. It’s something that we desperately need to keep this show going.”

Across Chatham-Kent, this move would have resulted in a $66,655 savings.

Bothwell Arena

Residents in Bothwell are breathing a sigh of relief, as the closure of the Bothwell Arena was removed from the list of cuts.

East Kent Coun. Steve Pinsonneault entered a successful motion to keep the arena open for another year.

The Municipality is set to work with various groups in Bothwell over the next year in an attempt to increase programming and use.

McGregor said she believes it is important to protect these type of facilities in the smaller communities across Chatham-Kent.

“It would create a slippery slope moving into the future,” McGregor said of the potential closure.

McGregor added it is important to understand that these of facilities don’t necessarily make a profit, but provide an important service.

“It helps create good, healthy communities,” McGregor said.

Closing the arena would have saved Chatham-Kent a total of $78,000.

Brunner Centre

Pinsonneault also entered a successful motion to remove the Thamesville building from the list of cuts. CLosing the centre would have saved $14,643.

Jaycee Pool

The outdoor pool facility in Chatham was removed from the list of cuts, after Chatham Coun. Bob Myers entered a successful motion. The savings would have been $24,468.

A number of potential cuts were deferred on the opening night, including: the Communities in Bloom program, the Bothwell and Tilbury scout huts and the youth centre in Ridgetown.

With the list of prior reductions added back to the budget, the tax impact now sits at 3.43%.

McGregor said some tough decisions are still on the horizon for council.

“We have some work to do,” she said.

McGregor added she’s happy Coun. Derek Robertson, the budget chair, moved the service cuts to the beginning of deliberations.

“It really sets the tone for the rest of budget,” she said.

Wesley added he expects cuts to come from other areas of the budget.

“We have two, four-inch thick binders,” Wesley said. “There are lots of items that will be discussed. It’s not where we start off that is important, it’s where we end up.”

Deliberations continue on Wednesday and Thursday, and next week if necessary.

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