After a lengthy debate, a revised motion by South Kent Councillor Ryan Doyle, regarding a 7.5% departmental budgetary annual decrease, was approved by Council at their meeting on Monday, October 7, 2024.
Doyle’s motion directed administration to bring forward an information report during budget deliberations with options to achieve a 7.5% budgetary annual decrease realized collectively, from each of the following areas:
– Chief Administrative Office (Michael Duben, CAO)
– Corporate Services (Cathy Hoffman, GM)
– Development Services (Bruce McAllister, GM)
– Finance, Budget, Information Technology and Transformation (Gord Quinton, GM)
– Fire and Emergency Services (Chief Case)
– Health and Human Services (Jodi Guilmette, GM)
– Infrastructure and Engineering Services (Edward Soldo, GM)
Doyle’s motion also included any new reserve fund deposits.
After a series of amendments from Councillors, the following services and departments were excluded: Chatham-Kent Police Services, Emergency Medical Services, Riverview Gardens and any program or employee that is 100% funded by the Provincial or Federal Government.
“The reduction can be achieved with a maximum allowance of a 2.5% reduction from any specific front-line service to the public without closing any recreational services,” Doyle’s motion read.
Last month, Chatham-Kent officials launched the first phase of this year’s annual budget review process public consultation, which is designed to gather public input on the 2025 Annual Budget update process.
The survey can be found at www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/budget-2025-annual-update.
The survey features questions on the 2025 Chatham-Kent budget and allows residents to express their thoughts and whether spending should be increased or decreased.
The survey includes an opportunity for residents to provide general comments. The online survey will be open until October 14, 2024.
The survey results and public comments will be provided to Chatham-Kent Council prior to Budget Committee deliberations.
The second phase is the Budget Presentation to Council on November 13 (6 p.m.), which will also be aired live on YourTV, shared on Facebook and YouTube.
The draft budget will be available at that time on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent website.
There will also be live Q&A Community Open House sessions on Facebook November 20 at 12 p.m. and 21 at 7 p.m.
The third phase involves Council deliberations on the Annual Budget update, which will be aired live on YourTV, as well as shared on Facebook and YouTube, starting November 26 at 6 p.m., followed by November 27.
If needed, further contingency meetings are scheduled for November 28, December 3 and December 4, also at 6 p.m.
Citizens are also encouraged to bring budget concerns to their Councillors at any time through email or by phone.
