The draft 2020 Chatham-Kent municipal budget was presented to Council on Wednesday night, with administration proposing a 4.99% tax impact.
“Over the past four years, Council has supported a budget direction of CPI% on the operating budget and a percentage increase consistent with the current approvals to meet our Asset Management Plan,” staff said in their opening night presentation.
Staff says the 4.99% tax impact consists of the following:
– 1.49% Provincial transfer to property tax.
– 1% increase in annual funding for infrastructure.
– An additional $550,000 for storm sewer (year two of four).
– Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund funding of $517,000 (year one of three).
– Other previous Council decisions and requisitioning bodies’ requests.
Prior to Wednesday’s presentation, Councillor Brock McGregor, the budget chair, said Council wants residents to be informed about municipal spending.
“The more information they have, the better feedback we receive as council members,” McGregor said in a press release.
Details on the 2020 budget process can be found, here.
Steve Brown, Chatham-Kent’s Director of Budget & Performance Services, said the municipality has prepared three videos dealing with budget basics, learning how property tax is calculated and assessment growth.
The videos are at https://www.chatham-kent.ca/local-government/financial-information/Budget
“It is our goal to provide our residents with the information and tools to fully understand and be engaged in the budget process,” Brown said in a media release.
In addition to Wednesday’s session, community consultation meetings will be held on the following dates:
Tuesday, January 21, 4:30 to 6:00 pm
Brunner Centre, 32 Wallace St., Thamesville
Tilbury Arena, Ryder Hall, 49 Bond Ave., Tilbury
Wednesday, January 22, 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Blenheim High School Cafeteria, 163 Chatham St. S., Blenheim
Wallaceburg Municipal Office, 786 Dufferin Ave., Wallaceburg
Thursday, January 23, 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Active Lifestyle Centre, 20 Merritt Ave., Chatham
Budget Committee deliberations are scheduled for January 28, 29 and 30 from 6:00 to 10:00 pm in Council Chambers. Tentative sessions are scheduled February 4 and 5 if needed.
Written and verbal presentations of up to five minutes are welcome each evening and participants can sign up at the door. Please check the schedule posted on our 2020 budget website for updates on the start time for deputations. We recommend that you 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 require a specific accommodation, please contact the Municipality at 519-360-1998, at least 48 hours in advance, so they can work with people to make necessary arrangements.
If people are unable to attend any of the sessions, people’s comments can also be made:
– 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
– by telephone to Budget & Performance Services at 519.360.1998, Ext. 3100
