Chatham-Kent council began this year’s budget deliberations on Wednesday with a proposed 4.74 property tax increase starting point.
The biggest part of the proposed increase is due to inflation on services and infrastructure. Inflation in the past year has increased substantially above the rate of inflation in 2020
Just like households and businesses have realized, the costs of materials and services purchased by the municipality has increased significantly due to inflation.
Property tax revenue makes up just over half of Chatham-Kent’s $340 million overall budget, with provincial funding contributing over a third of the municipality’s revenue.
Due to Covid-19 regulations, online budget presentations and community consultations will take place on January 19 at noon and the following day on the 20th at 7 p.m. on a Facebook Live broadcast.
Council deliberations are scheduled on January 26, 27 and February 1 at 6 p.m. If needed, additional meetings will be held on Feb. 2 and 3rd.
