Following two online community consultations and three Budget Deliberation meetings, on Thursday, November 30, Chatham-Kent Council passed its first multi-year municipal budget.
The budget increase of 5.53% for 2024 includes significant investments in Chatham-Kent’s Police Services and Municipal infrastructure with 1.14% and 3.11% of the 2024 budget increase being allocated to these services, respectively. The remaining budget increase provides investments in affordable housing, increased service levels for libraries, splash pads, and sustainable investments in municipal services.
Budget Committee Chair Councillor Brock McGregor said, “I would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone involved in our first multi-year budget. This new process sets Chatham-Kent Council and administration up for future success and helps us achieve our strategic priorities for the next four years and beyond. I would also like to thank the community members that took the time to participate in the engagement sessions this year. We value our residents’ input and ideas and we strive to represent those to the best of our ability through our financial choices.”
The budget being allocated to Police Services will allow for the addition of 43 new personnel over the next four years, bringing Chatham-Kent closer to the provincial average of officers per person. The overall budget increase represents a tax impact of approximately $185 on an average home assessment (January 1, 2016 value) of $176,200.
“Our multi-year budget represents the reality of where Chatham-Kent is now and enables Council to implement a multi-year vision that focuses on achieving longer term plans,” said Michael Duben, Chief Administrative Officer. “Through discussions with elected Council and residents, it is clear that we want to build a community that reflects the ideals of those who call Chatham-Kent home.”
Prior to the draft budget being completed, the municipality launched two budget surveys to seek input from residents on areas of focus that were of importance to the public. The surveys had a total of 595 responses, providing both Council and administration with residents’ ideas and opinions. After the recommendations were presented to Council by municipal administration on November 15, administration also held two online consultations to gather input from citizens on the recommendations.
Mayor Darrin Canniff said “Municipalities across Ontario are battling inflation, and Chatham-Kent is no different. We passed a budget at 5.53%, despite 4.0% of that being inflationary costs. This budget includes no service cuts and features much needed additions to our police force and infrastructure, which will put more police officers on the streets, help maintain and improve our extensive infrastructure, and help address the need for affordable housing in our community.”
For more information on the 2024-2027 Municipality of Chatham-Kent Multi-Year Budget, please visit the municipal webpage Our Municipal Budgets.
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For more information:
Counc. Brock McGregor
Budget Committee Chair
519-436-3205
Brock.McGregor@chatham-kent.ca
Steve Brown, CPA, CMA
Director, Budget & Performance Services
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
519-360-1998 x 3100
Steve.Brown@chatham-kent.ca
Gord Quinton, MBA, CPA, CGA
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
519-360-1998 x 3114
Gord.Quinton@chatham-kent.ca
Media Contact:
Eric Labadie
Manager, Corporate Communications
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
519-784-0370
Eric.Labadie@chatham-kent.ca
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