By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Chatham-Kent council has tasked several municipal departments with finding cost savings.
At its Oct. 7 council meeting, elected officials decided to ask for a report on the matter to return to council at the start of budget deliberations in November.
The move followed a motion from South Kent Coun. Ryan Doyle asking managers to find 7.5 per cent in savings within their departments. However, the cuts cannot reduce front line service to the public by more than 2.5 per cent, the proposed motion read.
After a few friendly amendments and a great deal of discussion – albeit confused – council settled on asking for a report rather than issuing a directive.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service, EMS, Riverview Gardens and any program or position that is 100 per cent funded by the provincial or federal government are exempt. Departments being tasked to find savings include the chief administration office, corporate services, development services, financial, budget and information technology services, fire and emergency services, health and human services and infrastructure and information services without closing any recreational services. Any new reserve fund deposits are included.
Doyle said he brought the idea forward because Chatham-Kent is facing a 9.4 per cent tax increase.
“Our tax increases are getting pretty high here, I guess that’s not a secret,” Doyle told council, adding he’s had multiple people on fixed incomes telling him they can’t afford the increase, including some who may have to sell their homes to make ends meet.
That also includes landlords who may sell because the tax burden is eating up profits, he said.
Because of Strong Mayor Powers bestowed by the province, it is up to Mayor Darrin Canniff to table the budget. Under the legislation, councillors can only suggest changes or request modifications when the budget process begins Nov. 13. Council has 30 days after that to make changes.
“Administration can’t take direction from council right now,” said Dave Taylor, Chatham-Kent’s director of legal services. “Only the mayor can table a budget.”
Some of C-K’s veteran councillors said Doyle’s motion flies in the face of the budget process.
“Are we going to cut services?” Chatham Coun. Marjorie Crew asked. “We all know what happens when that grass doesn’t get cut. The phone will ring more than about an encampment. At that budget table, we’re given the opportunity to make those cuts and to find efficiencies. This (the motion) is not the way to do this.”
South Kent Coun. Anthony Ceccacci said Doyle’s motion is “exactly” what the budget process encompasses. He called the motion “disastrous” and made a secondary motion to defer it.
However, council learned motions can’t be deferred, they can only be postponed, so the request was withdrawn.
Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor, chair of the budget committee, said all of council has a role to play, and the work will begin when budget deliberations commence.
“As a budget committee, we have to do the hard work and make decisions,” McGregor said.
According to a report from administration a 7.5-per- cent reduction would amount to around $16 million in savings.
Doyle’s motion passed in a 12 to 4 vote. A smattering of applause was heard in council chambers when the motion passed.
