Night one of municipal budget deliberates is in the books with the proposed tax hike going up. 
Starting the evening with a proposed tax hike of around 2%, Chatham-Kent Council approved the $32-million police budget as well as a number of infrastructure projects, including an extra $200,000 to improve gravel roads, and $550,000 for storm sewers and other underground infrastructure to help reduce the impact of flooding.
Chair Brock McGregor says they’re now looking at an increase of 2.47%, but that will change before it’s all said and done.
“The focus was additions, I don’t anticipate you’ll see the number stay there,” McGregor says. “We’ve got some more work ahead of us, there’s going to be some areas where we’re looking at changing the way we’re spending or investing.”
McGregor says the budget process comes with a bit of a learning curve for the new councillors.
Deliberations continue this evening, starting at 6 o’clock at the Civic Centre.