An open house will be held at the Wallaceburg Municipal building this evening, giving the community a chance to discuss the proposed 2017 Chatham-Kent budget.
Administation is proposing a 1.96% tax increase and this was announced at the initial budget presentation held last 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.
Members of Council and the municipal administration will be at the open house sessions this evening from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
A brief presentation will be made at 5 p.m.
Open houses were also held in Tilbury and Thamesville on Tuesday, and the final one will be held at the Active Lifestyle Centre at 20 Merritt Ave. in Chatham on Thursday.
Budget deliberations will be held on February 1, 2, 7, 8 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Civic Centre in Chatham.
Written and verbal presentations of up to five minutes are welcome each evening, any interested can sign up at the door.
Chatham-Kent staff recommends people to contact ckfps@chatham-kent.ca in advance if you have a presentation.
Deputations on specific topics generating significant community interest will be scheduled and announced prior to the budget committee’s deliberations.
If you are unable to attend any of the sessions, your comment can also be made in the following ways:
– By email to ckfps@chatham-kent.ca
– By mail to Budget & Performance Services, Municipality of Chatham-Kent, 315 King St. W, P.O. Box 640, Chatham, Ontario, N7M 5K8
– Or by phoning Budget & Performance Services at 519-360-1998
