The first annual update to the approved 2024-2027 multi-year budget will begin on Wednesday, November 13 when the 2025 annual budget update is presented to Council, Municipal officials say.
The opening night agenda also includes administrations response to a successful motion by South Kent Councillor Ryan Doyle, which requested a 7.5% departmental budgetary annual decrease across several departments.
The information report from staff includes 22 pages of potential service reductions, which are not being recommended for approval, including:
– Eliminate 5 Fire Stations: 1 in North Kent, 1 in East Kent, 2 in South Kent Ward, and 1 in West Kent Ward, with CAP/savings over 10 years.
– Close five small library branches: Highgate, Merlin, Bothwell, Wheatley, and Thamesville.
– Eliminate the A.L.L. for Kids Program and supports for low-income residents.
– Cut the $600,000 transfer to the Affordable Housing Reserve.
– Convert movable bridges in Wallaceburg to fixed structures.
– Reduce Fire Prevention by eliminating one fire inspector.
– Eliminate grants allocated to community museums.
– Sell the John D. Bradley Convention Centre.
– Close Blenheim, Ridgetown, Dresden (except Service Ontario), Tilbury, and Wallaceburg municipal centres for staggered lunch hours between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
– Reduce operating hours at Dresden, Ridgetown, and Tilbury municipal centres and eliminate one customer service representative.
– Eliminate the Chatham-Kent Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Grant Incentives.
– Reduce municipal insurance coverage.
– Relocate ArtSpace.
– Eliminate rural curbside collection.
The full list can be seen, here.
“It’s important to note that these items are not recommended by EMT,” a staff report indicates.
“Many potential tax savings are impractical to implement by January 1, 2025, as they require a comprehensive analysis, including community consultation and a detailed financial plan covering severance, employment contract reviews, community partner involvement, purchasing contracts, and other one-time costs needing funding. The report presents a mix of efficiencies and service reductions. Achieving a 2.5% service level reduction was challenging, and in most cases, the service is proposed to continue, though it may need to be offered at a different location or at a reduced level.”
Read the full staff report, here.
All budget meetings will be held in-person in the Council Chambers at the Civic Centre as well as livestreamed on YourTV CK’s YouTube Channel.
At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13 the 2025 annual budget update will be tabled.
At this time, the budget will be available for viewing on the municipal website at www.chatham-kent.ca/ourbudget
Community consultation
A brief summary of the 2025 annual budget update will be presented by administration at the beginning of each community consultation event, followed by an opportunity for public input through a live Q&A session.
These events are taking place virtually on Chatham-Kent’s Facebook Live feed (www.facebook.com/MunicCK) as follows:
– Wednesday, November 20 from 12 to 1 p.m.
– Thursday, November 21 from 7 to 8 p.m.
Budget deliberations
Council will meet to begin their budget deliberations as follows:
– Tuesday, November 26 from 6 to 10 p.m.
– Wednesday, November 27 from 6 to 10 p.m. (if required)
– Thursday, November 28 from 6 to 10 p.m. (if required)
If more time is required, Tuesday, December 3 and Wednesday, December 4 have also been set aside.
Deputations
Anyone wishing to make a deputation to Council regarding the budget can do so either at the Opening Night meeting on November 13 or at the first night of deliberations on November 26. Requests and submissions must be sent by email to ckfps@chatham-kent.ca before noon on these dates respectively.
General comments regarding the budget can be submitted at any time by email to ckfps@chatham-kent.ca, by post mail to Budget & Performance Services, Municipality of Chatham-Kent, 315 King St. West, Chatham, Ontario N7M 5K8, or by phone to 519-360-1998.
