The proposed tax increase is starting at 5.96%, as Chatham-Kent’s 2025 Budget Update process got underway on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
“Last November, Chatham-Kent Council passed its first multiyear municipal budget for 2024–2027,” stated Gord Quinton, Chatham-Kent’s chief financial officer, in the 2025 budget overview document.
“This requires an annual budget update to review and readopt the budget for each year. The update allows the Mayor and Council to make adjustments when needed through one of three amendment types: New or Changed Regulation, New Council Direction, or Cost/Revenue Driver.”
Quinton added: “The 2024–2027 multiyear budget was approved with an average annual increase of 7.17%, with an 8.175% increase projected for 2025. Under recently implemented Strong Mayor Powers, the Mayor now prepares the budget, with Council feedback received in June.”
Quinton said Chatham-Kent, like other Ontario communities, face rising costs, affordable housing shortages, homelessness, and other social challenges.
“Residents are encouraged to share their input through our annual budget survey and public consultations on November 20 and 21, 2024,” he said.
“This feedback informs Council as they prepare for Budget Committee deliberations beginning November 26, where residents may also provide input via deputations. As your Chief Financial Officer, I continue to advise that Chatham-Kent is not receiving sufficient support from Federal and Provincial governments. Infrastructure costs have doubled over the last decade, and issues such as the opioid crisis and the need for affordable housing require funding from broader income or consumption taxes—not local property taxes. Our tax increases could stay below 3% if upper levels of government covered their fair share of these costs.”
Michael Duben, Chatham-Kent’s chief administrative officer, said the 2025 Budget Update is a critical tool that helps administration assess needs, adapt to changes, and keep the budget aligned with Council’s Strategic Plan.
“Our goal is to build a community that reflects the ideals of Chatham-Kent residents,” Duben stated in the budget document.
“Thank you to our residents for your continued engagement. Your feedback is essential in shaping a budget that meets our community’s needs and aspirations while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Chatham-Kent, like all Canadian municipalities, faces significant financial pressures, largely due to social challenges such as homelessness, affordable housing, community safety, and long-term care. These complex issues require resources, and the financial burden is increasingly shifting to municipalities without adequate support from provincial and federal governments. While we continue to advocate for this support, it’s evident that municipalities are shouldering more responsibilities without the necessary financial backing.”
Duben added, despite these challenges, Chatham-Kent’s economic outlook is strong.
“Our population is growing, and our business community remains resilient and innovative,” he said.
“This positions us well for the future, even as we navigate current pressures. In crafting the 2025 Budget Update, our focus remains on maintaining essential services for residents. We’re committed to balancing service levels with fiscal responsibility in a rapidly changing economic environment. Together, we’ll continue to move Chatham-Kent forward and build a prosperous future for all.”
The full budget update can be read, here.
The opening night agenda also included 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.
South Kent Councillor Anthony Ceccacci made a successful motion during Wednesday’s meeting requesting that any Councillor choosing to bring forward an item on the list, to inform staff and Council ahead of time.
Budget deliberations begin on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at the Civic Centre in Chatham.
More details can be found, here.
