Chatham-Kent taxpayers asked questions and voiced their thoughts on the 2015 budget at a meeting in Dresden on January 27, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)Chatham-Kent taxpayers asked questions and voiced their thoughts on the 2015 budget at a meeting in Dresden on January 27, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
Chatham

Public Reacts To 2015 Budget

Taxpayers in Chatham-Kent are being given the opportunity to question those who put the 2015 budget together.

A few dozen residents attended the public budget session Tuesday night in Dresden. Gerry Flynn of Wallaceburg who says he doesn't mind the proposed 2.4% tax increase. "If it's something that's absolutely necessary, obviously I would be willing to pay a little bit more because you want to make this a community (something) that people want to come to," says Flynn. "We want to grow our tax base and the way to grow our tax base is to have a community that looks pretty good for other people to move into and has amenities that people want."

Jackie Beatty of Bothwell says she isn't sold on the idea of raising taxes. "Personally it's not a hardship, but I do think it's a hardship for a lot of people, especially on fixed income and especially since our tax base keeps going down and our taxes keep rising," says Beatty. "Where does it end? Every year there is an increase, but it's a fine line, how do you keep your services without an increase. I do think there could be more efficiencies."

Another budget presentation is being held tonight at St. Michael's Parish Hall in Ridgetown from 4:30pm to 6pm and the same time Thursday at the Active Lifestyle Centre in Chatham.

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