The proposed tax increase was trimmed to 5.11% after first night of Chatham-Kent Council budget deliberations on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.
The evening started off with South Kent Councillor Anthony Ceccacci entering two successful motions, which dropped the proposed hike, which started out at 5.96%.
Ceccacci’s first motion changed the application of gravel on roads from approximately once every three years to four years. With this move, $1-million was shifted to the gravel road conversion program, doubling the reserve for converting roads. The remaining $650,000 in savings, was removed from the budget.
The South Kent Councillor’s second motion removed about $1-million from the budget, which was being proposed for 2025 lifecycle inflation.
Wallaceburg Councillor Carmen McGregor entered an unsuccessful motion to continue the dust suppression program in Chatham-Kent, which would’ve put about $1.4-million back into the budget.
West Kent Councillor Melissa Harrigan also entered a successful motion to add Wi-Fi the Chatham-Kent’s arenas. About $30,000 worth of capital work associated with the motion will be covered by the Hydro One reserve.
Deliberations continue at the Civic Centre in Chatham on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 6 p.m.
