As Chatham-Kent residents are in the middle of enjoying their summer, they were hit with a rather chilling number recently: nine per cent.
That’s where the initial number sits on the 2025 tax increase at the moment.
Granted, we are months away from municipal administration putting forward the “official” proposed tax increase for 2025 and even further away from council trimming that budget, but … nine per cent.
Chatham Coun. Alysson Storey brought the matter up at the end of a recent council meeting after councillors received an email asking for suggestions for trimming.
Some councillors seemed offended they were even asked. South Kent Coun. Trevor Thompson called it a “ridiculous request. What am I supposed to come up with, sitting at my coffee table without any criteria, paperwork or potential savings in front of me?”
Perhaps councillors have seen signs of municipal largesse while out and about. They are doing more than sit around their coffee tables, aren’t they?
East Kent Coun. John Wright said if more cuts have to be made, it could be personnel.
Tough decisions, but council should consider paying more attention to every penny spent. It all adds up.
Perhaps a skit from the British television show “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” sums matters up for how the municipality is spending.
Woman 1: “Been shopping.”
Woman 2: “Did you buy anything?”
Woman 1: “A piston engine.”
Woman 2: “What did you buy that for?”
Woman 2: “Oooh, it was a bargain.”
Just because there is potential for a public private partnership, or some element of funding from senior levels of government are insufficient reasons to opt go ahead and build, create and spend.
We’re not saying running a municipality is an easy task, but the onus is on our elected officials to seek options in terms of limiting tax increases. And it means digging deeper than what municipal departments present each year come budget time or rubberstamping the police budget each year.
Ask for cuts. There are savings to be had. But the budget binder likely does not contain the info. Look deeper.
South Kent Coun. Ryan Doyle said he’d like to see every department come back with proposed savings of between five and 10 per cent.
Keeping our taxes in check is part of the reason taxpayers pay councillors for their work.
Make the tough decisions.
I agree with your opinion regarding taxes in the Chatham-Kent area. Tough decisions need to be made as taxpayers already are making difficult decisions in their wallets
Our community is struggling during the challenging times and a temporary halt to the “Wow factor Hub” is required.
Our councillors are doing their best to advance the tax freedom day yet again!
I believe that this administration has betrayed their friends, their neighbour’s, their constituents. More tragically, they have betrayed their own character and 8ntegrity. This is going to affect every family in Chatham-kent. For some it will be financially devastating. This really makes me feel heartsick.