Chatham-Kent's multi-year draft budget calls for an increase of nearly eight per cent in municipal property taxes.
The municipality released highlights of the proposed 2024-2027 budget Wednesday, adding that staff continue to look for efficiencies and reductions to provide services residents expect, despite added pressures of social and emergency services, as well as inflation.
In 2023, municipal staff were directed to deliver a draft budget for 2024-2027 around the estimated rate of inflation, in addition to a 1.5 per cent increase in capital levy as well as a 0.5 per cent increase for a tax rate stabilization reserve.
Prior to any cuts, the annual 7.82 per cent increase would mean an additional $294 on the tax bill of an average household assessed at $176,000.
"When we're thinking about this year in particular and the impacts on budget, we've broken it out into four categories," said Councillor and Budget Chair Brock McGregor. "The proposed increase for year one (2024) is 6.57 per cent."
Of that 6.57 per cent, four per cent is due to inflation pressures, 1.5 per cent is an increase in infrastructure spending, 0.8 per cent is for police services, and 0.27 per cent is for other municipal spending.
"It's fairly similar to what we have seen in previous years, where we fortunately found some assessment growth and efficiencies to keep that operating in line," said McGregor. "This year, really more than ever, facing those inflationary pressures, which is something we all seen coming down the road."
Chatham-Kent's draft capital budget outlines $227 million in expenses over the next four years. That includes $83 million for the replacement and rehabilitation of roads, $72.6 million for bridges, and $18.5 for municipal facilities and recreation spaces.
The draft multi-year budget, which was prepared by the municipality's administration, will be turned over to the council to decide how to move forward with it.
The budget will be presented to the public for the first time Wednesday night.
Public consultations will take place on Chatham-Kent's Facebook live feed on Wednesday, November 22 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., and again on Thursday, November 23 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The first budget deliberation is set for Tuesday, November 28 at 6 p.m.
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