The 2015 budget committee for Chatham-Kent meets for the third day of deliberations on February 5, 2015. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)The 2015 budget committee for Chatham-Kent meets for the third day of deliberations on February 5, 2015. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Chatham

Wesley Calling For Reserve Review

Chatham-Kent Councillor Jeff Wesley is looking for more information on the municipality's $100-million reserves.

He's putting the motion forward at Monday night's council meeting.

"It was obvious to me in this last budget go-around, [council] didn't have enough information and detail on exactly what was all involved in the reserves," says Wesley.

The Wallaceburg councillor isn't questioning administration's knowledge of reserves, but is looking for better communication of that knowledge.

"What they need to do is put it in a format so council members don't have to sit there and ask questions of staff: 'What is this used for? How is it funded? What are the monies for?'" Says Wesley, hoping more information will lead to better use of the reserves. "I did not want money sitting in reserves languishing; just sitting there, not earning interest, not having any kind of purpose. Kind of like a savings account somebody forgot about."

Wesley's motion is looking for a report back from administration on the expected year-end balance of each of the 90 reserves, short and long-term plans for the reserves and the source of all funds going into and out of each reserve.

Read More Local Stories