Chatham-Kent's tax increase set at 2.4 percent for 2021

CHATHAM-KENT — Following three online community consultations and four Council Budget Committee meetings, on Wednesday, February 3, Chatham-Kent Council passed the 2021 municipal budget.

The 2.4 per cent budget increase is comprised of a 1.43 per cent infrastructure increase, an increase in spending of 5.21 per cent or $3.1M over 2020 infrastructure spending levels.

The 2021 budget included an increased investment in affordable housing, emergency housing, senior services, transit, debt reduction and sustainable investments in many services.

The overall budget increase represents a tax impact of approximately $71 on an average home assessment of $168,500.

A significant portion of commercial and industrial properties can expect to see a reduction in their 2021 tax bill in excess of 6 per cent. This reduction is attributed to the reduction in the provincial education tax rate for commercial and industrial properties to assist with the provincial COVID-19 response.

Prior to the draft budget being completed, the municipality launched a budget survey to seek input from the residents on areas of focus that were of importance to the public.

The survey had over 1300 responses, far exceeding any past survey completed on any budget.

DARRIN CANNIFF

After the recommendations were presented to council by municipal administration on January 13, administration held online consultations along with a question and answer forum on Let’s Talk CK to gather input from citizens on the recommendations. Comments were also received by e-mail.

The online consultations resulted in greater public education and understanding of the operations of the municipality and were well viewed with over 5000 views.

Budget Committee Chair Councillor Brock McGregor said the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic presented a challenge for staff and Council.

“Obviously, there were extraordinary challenges this year as well as a measure of uncertainty,” he said. “Through discussion among council members and staff, we were able to reach a compromise that will allow us to provide the services our citizens expect without sacrificing the future to do so.”

“The 2021 budget is the result of a lot of intense work by staff, Brock and the entire council,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff. “Every step of the way, we were mindful of the fact that we needed to create a budget that not only took into account the events of 2020, but also the reality that we need to be able to operate in a way to help our community grow in the years to come.”

For more information on the 2021 Municipality of Chatham-Kent budget, please visit the municipal webpage, www.budget.chatham-kent.ca