Night three of the Chatham-Kent budget deliberations was long, as councillors were trying to find creative ways to get the proposed tax increase into something that is palatable to taxpayers.
After moving some money around and reducing some funding, the proposed increase was at 2.58% at the end of the night. Councillors voted on adopting the budget, but it failed in a close vote, as some felt they could find more savings at the next budget deliberation meeting scheduled for tonight.
Chatham councillor Doug Sulman tried to hit a home run late in the night, bringing in a motion to use $3 million from the Ontario Works Economic Downturn reserve to be used to reduce this year’s budgeted tax increase.
The motion failed.
Councillor Trevor Thompson had concerns that it would create a problem next year.
“Where are we going to find $3 million dollars next year?” Thompson asked.
“Because if we buy down the tax rate with this, that doesn’t actually make any cuts and solve any of our problems, we have to find $3 million next year,” Thompson said it could lead to a tax increase of seven percent next year.
“It’s putting a band-aid while you’re hemorrhaging somewhere else.”
Councillor Melissa Harrigan said it would be taking money from the poor in order for homeowners having reduced taxes.
“That’s not something I’m about and I don’t think it’s something our council is about,” Harrigan said.
Sulman defended using the reserve, noting it was a hard decision to be made by council but it would help the working poor and pensioners who are struggling to pay their mortgages while facing a tax increase.
“This doesn’t help the wealthy, this is to help those who are struggling to make a living, that’s my concern, that’s why I brought the motion,” Sulman said.
“This is the best answer for the problem we have.”
Deliberations continue at 6 o’clock tonight and will be broadcast on YourTV and the YourTv YouTube channel.