The Kent Federation of Agriculture is voicing its support for the municipality’s fiscal plans for the coming year.
President Jay Cunningham says an increase in infrastructure spending is desperately needed.
“Statistically, we have one of the highest level of bridges and culverts in the province for a municipality our size, we have a lot of infrastructure that we have to consider and it’s a big job,” Cunningham says.
Cunningham says becoming more innovative will help reduce lifecycle costs for bridges and culverts around Chatham-Kent, which will lessen the pressure on current and future budgets.
“We have to make sure that when working with a really limited resource, which is the budget itself, and clawbacks from senior government, that we do things that are the biggest priority,” Cunningham says. “If they can continue to stay focused on what the biggest priorities for the entire municipality is, which a lot of that is rural-based, we’ll be fine.”
Meantime, tonight marks the final public input session before council begins deliberating the 2020 budget next week.
An open house is being held at the Active Lifestyle Centre in Chatham, starting at 4:30.