Chatham-Kent council continued to find savings and make cuts during the second night of budget deliberations held on Thursday.
Council approved a motion by a 10-8 vote to take $650,000 out of the assessment growth reserve, which funds various items as the municipality grows such as roads and various capital costs.
“We currently have a community who cannot stand the impact with this budget is placing upon them,” said Councillor Mary Clare Latimer, noting the reserve money is not earmarked and hasn’t never had to account for in previous budgets
“We have to get this tax impact down.”
Council passed the police budget, which had a 4.48 per cent increase over last year’s budget. Council discussed a motion to take $250,000 out of the $34 million police budget, but the motion failed by a 8-10 vote. Service enhancements in the police force this year includes more police officers, body worn cameras for officers, a bike patrol unit, and drones.
The proposed 2022 draft budget now sits with a 2.99 percent hike, with the third night of budget deliberations taking place next Tuesday.
