Chatham-Kent residents could see a more than 2% increase on their tax bill this year. 
The Municipality has released its draft budget for 2018, and budget committee Chair Derek Robertson says it’s slightly higher than last year’s increase of 1.96%.
“In terms of a 2.27% increase, I think that’d be the highest increase we’ve had in the last four years,” Robertson says. “We haven’t had an increase over 2% and we froze the budget once over the course of this past term.”
Of the 2.27%, a little over 1% will be going into infrastructure.
“This council in my mind,” Robertson says, “it’s been the most responsible in terms of maintaining services, investing in infrastructure, investing in itself, and keeping a low tax rate.”
Residents can share their feedback on the draft budget at several community open houses next week.
Tuesday, January 23 – 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Ridgetown Municipal Office, 45 Main Street E., Ridgetown
Tilbury Arena, Ryder Hall, 55 Bond Ave.,Tilbury
Wednesday, January 24 – 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Blenheim High School Cafeteria, 163 Chatham St. S., Blenheim
Wallaceburg Municipal Office, 786 Dufferin Ave., Wallaceburg
Thursday, January 25 – 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Active Lifestyle Centre, 20 Merritt Ave., Chatham
Budget deliberations begin on January 30th.
