Riversite Realty Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall
Chatham-Kent staff is proposing a 1.96% tax increase, as the initial 2017 budget presentation was held on Wednesday night at the Civic Centre in Chatham.
Chatham Coun. Derek Robertson, the chair of the budget committee, said staff showed “consistent progress” while producing the first draft.
“Very pleased with the progress that the administration was able to make under the council’s direction,” Robertson said.
“I’d like to commend them for the document we have before us today, which in my estimation is a very sound, prudent budget. It’s one that we can work with and it’s one, in my estimation, where by the responsibility was effective… but now the accountability lies with the council to deliver a budget that is acceptable to this chamber and the citizens of Chatham-Kent.”
Don Shropshire, the CAO of the Chatham-Kent, said the 1.96% proposed increase includes a 1% contribution to Chatham-Kent’s asset management plan.
“Over the last several month we’ve indicated how important that is, and most recently on Monday night there was a full presentation abut the asset management plan. That is a big step forward for our community,” he said.
Shropshire said Chatham-Kent has went the extra mile to ensure the public is engaged and informed about the budget process, having setup five public meetings across Chatham-Kent and arranging the Citizen Budget Tool for people to use as well.
“We’re doing everything we can to make sure the public is engaged and understands what we’re trying to accomplish with their investment of tax dollars,” he said.
The impact of the proposed 1.96% tax hike would work out to an extra $54 a year on the tax bill for a home assessed at $161,300.
In addition to Wednesday’s presentation, which was aired in real-time on Facebook LIVE, the public is invited to budget open houses next week.
Tuesday, January 24, sessions will be held from 4:30 pm to 6:30 p.m. at the Brunner Centre, 32 Wallace Street, Thamesville; and the Tilbury Arena, Ryder Hall, 55 Bond Ave., Tilbury.
Wednesday, January 25, sessions will be held 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Blenheim High School Cafeteria, 163 Chatham St. S., Blenheim; and the Wallaceburg Municipal Office, 786 Dufferin Ave., Wallaceburg.
Thursday, January 26, a session will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Active Lifestyle Centre, 20 Merritt Avenue, Chatham.
At each meeting, a short budget presentation will be held at 5 p.m.
Registration is not needed for attendance at the budget open houses.
If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.
Photo of the day
Here is a screen grab from the Municipality’s Facebook page of Derek Robertsion while they were LIVE streaming the budget presentation on Wednesday evening.
Weather forecast for Thursday, January 19, 2017
Today – Mainly cloudy. Fog patches dissipating this morning. High plus 5.
Tonight – Mainly cloudy. Fog patches developing this evening. Wind becoming east 20 km/h near midnight. Low plus 1.
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